Clallam County Fire District 3 adds quartet of recruits to staff

By Sequim Gazette Staff • August 7, 2024 1:30 am
Photo courtesy of Clallam County Fire Distinct 3 New probationary firefighters joining Clallam County Fire District 3 include, from left Madison Bowe, Steve Oberley, Matthew Aston and Nicole Simson. The quartet recently graduated from the Washington State Fire Academy.
Photo courtesy of Clallam County Fire Distinct 3 New probationary firefighters joining Clallam County Fire District 3 include, from left Madison Bowe, Steve Oberley, Matthew Aston and Nicole Simson. The quartet recently graduated from the Washington State Fire Academy.

Sequim residents have four more new sets of helping hands at their local fire department.

Thirty newly-anointed firefighters cerebrated graduation ceremonies at the Washington State Fire Academy, a division of Washington State Patrol, at a special ceremony in Snoqualmie, with a quartet ready to join Clallam County Fire District 3 (Sequim), district officials announced last week.

The new probationary firefighter recruits include: firefighter/emergency medical technician (EMT) Matthew Aston; firefighter/EMT Madison Bowe; firefighter/EMT Nicole Simson, and firefighter/paramedic Steve Oberly.

The 12-week long academy session saw recruits work together to put skills and knowledge to work to be proficient in hose handling, forcible entry, search and rescue, structural firefighting, car fires, ladder deployment and hazardous materials, among other skills. Participants in the academy were represented by agencies from across Washington state of Washington, including Sequim, Port Angeles, Wenatchee Valley, Anacortes, central Mason County, Key Peninsula, East Grays Harbor, Pullman, Spokane Tribal, Burlington, North Whatcom, South Thurston, South Pierce, Bainbridge Island, Mount Vernon and Portland Airport.

Honors and recognition went to Bowe as a recipient of the Bulldog Award, an honor given by instructors for recruits that “just won’t quit and have that determination to see the job done,” district officials said.

She was also recognized for her work as a member of the “1st due Engine Company” from the academy. Firefighters recognized for this award continually show strengths in pump operations and hose handling techniques and have consistent dedication, pride, integrity and teamwork, district representatives noted.

Aston and Simson were recognized by the academy for their hard work and determination as Company Officers, as they were “integral to the success of this class through leadership and guidance on academy life.”