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South Thurston Fire & EMS

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Not to be confused with S.E. Thurston Fire & EMS.

About[]

Thurston County Fire Protection District No. 12 operates as South Thurston Fire & EMS.

Area Served[]

South Thurston Fire & EMS provides fire suppression and emergency medical services to approximately 9,000 residents across a 76 square mile service area. Located in southern Thurston County, Washington, the districts serves the City of Tenino and the surrounding unincorporated areas, including the Violet Prairie, Gibson Valley, Skookumchuck, and Johnson Creek communities. The district also provides operational and administrative oversight to Bucoda Fire Department.

Interlocal Agreements[]

South Thurston Fire & EMS is part of a countywide mutual aid agreement, allowing Fire & EMS agencies in Thurston County to request aid from one another for large fires or other emergencies.[1]

South Thurston Fire & EMS and East Olympia Fire District 6 maintain 2 interlocal agreements;

  1. Shared Fire Chief[2]
  2. Shared Mechanic[3]

District Profile[]

South Thurston Fire & EMS is staffed by 9 career firefighter/EMT's and 25 volunteers. The department operates from 1 career station and 3 volunteer stations. The department responds to approximately 1,000 calls per year.

Facilities[]

Current, South Thurston Fire & EMS maintains the following facilities;

  • Fire Station 41: Career staffed
  • Fire Station 42: Volunteer staffed
  • Fire Station 43: Volunteer staffed
  • Fire Station 44: Volunteer staffed
  • Resident Quarters: Used to supplement the lack of crew quarters at the neighboring Station 41
  • Water Source: Unstaffed, home to a 33,000 gallon water tank and miscellaneous storage buildings

Fleet[]

Currently, the South Thurston Fire & EMS fleet consists of;

  • 4 Engines
  • 4 Tenders
  • 4 Aid units
  • 4 Brush units
  • 3 Utilities
  • 1 Chief unit
  • 1 Antique Engine

Governance[]

South Thurston FIre & EMS is governed by a board of 5 elected fire commissioners, who appoint and oversee the Fire Chief, among other tasks such as strategic and budgetary planning.

History[]

On June 24, 1961, a special election was held to determine if Thurston County Fire Protection District No. 12 should be formed. Voters approved the formation of the district with 58 "yes" votes and 4 "no" votes. The district was officially formed on July 3rd, 1961.

On October 16, 1990, the City of Tenino officially began contracting services from Fire District 12. Previously, the district and the city had operated the Tenino Fire Department jointly, with a shared Fire Chief, with operations carried out in a building owned by the City, using equipment owned by the fire district.

On March 3, 2016, the Board of Fire Commissioners of Thurston County Fire Protection District No. 12 (Tenino) accepted a petition for merger from Thurston County Fire Protection District No. 16 (Gibson Valley), signed by 192 residents within Fire District 16. The merger of Fire District 16 into Fire District 12 was effective on April 13th, 2017.[4] To better represent the broader area served by Fire District 12 following the merger, the name of 'South Thurston Fire & EMS' was adopted. Due to a concern of the former Fire District 16 combined with complications with the county emergency dispatching system, the unused '4' prefix was adopted, rather than that of '12' or '16'.

Annexations[]

Year Area Size (mi2) Notes
196? Johnson Creek Road 0.375 Annexed between 1961 and 1966.
1966 Johnson Creek Road 0.625 Annexed on April 18, 1966.[5]
1998 Violet Prairie 1.4375 Annexed on September 10, 1998.[6]
2017 City of Tenino 1.46 Annexed by special election (See: "Elected Measures").

Elections[]

Measure Type Purpose Election Date Votes Pass / Fail Notes
Bond - $55,000 Facilities & Apparatus Feb. 6, 1973 160 "Yes" ; 70 "No" Pass Used to fund the construction of Fire Stations 12-2 and 12-3, and the purchase a 1973 Ford pumper.
Bond - $135,000 Apparatus & Equipment Nov. 3. 1981 203 "Yes" ; 178 "No" Fail Intended to fund the purchase of a new engine and various pieces of equipment.
Annexation N/A Nov. 7, 2017 251 "Yes" ; 41 "No"[7] Pass Approved the annexation of the City of Tenino.
Bond - $5,775,000 Facilities & Apparatus Nov. 2, 2021[8] 1,056 "Yes" ; 658 "No"[9] Pass Used fund the purchase a new engine, tender, and aid unit.

Fire Stations[]

Station Number Station Name Address In Service Notes
41 Tenino 187 Hodgden Street South 1962-Present Former Fire District 12 Station 12-1. Built late in 1962. 5 new apparatus bays added in 1983,[10] existing bays converted into administration offices. Purchased from the City of Tenino on Nov. 30, 2012.[11]
42 Gibson Valley 21249 Bucoda Highway SE, Centralia 2017-Present Former Fire District 16 Station 16-1. The south apparatus building was built in 1983. The north apparatus building was built in 2004 to house Gibson Valley's reserve apparatus. In 2009, the southeast corner and roof of the south apparatus building was reconstructed after a vehicle collided with the building.
43 Violet Prairie 17134 Old Highway 99 SE, Tenino 1973-Present Former Fire District 12 Station 12-2. Built in 1973 following the acquisition of land from the Violet Prairie Gospel Church through a quitclaim deed made effective on Aug. 22, 1973.[12]
44 Skookumchuck 5405 Skookumchuck Road SE, Tenino 1974-Present Former Fire District 12 Station 12-3. Built in 1974 following the acquisition of land from Skookumchuck Grange #584 through a quitclaim deed made effective on Aug. 13, 1973.[13]
Johnson Creek 20020 Steelhead Court SE, Tenino 1980-2006 Former Fire District 12 Station 12-4. Construction initially planned to be done in 1975; delayed due to the adoption of new regulations on construction near shorelines & waterways. Built in 1980 following the acquisition of land from the Skookumchuck Maintenance Company.[14] Closed due to inactivity, returned to the Skookumchuck Maintenance Company in 2006.

Facilities[]

Facility Address In Service Notes
Resident Quarters 125 Central Avenue West, Tenino 2017-Present Built 1901. Purchased by Fire District 12 for $75,000 on May 9, 2008.[15] Converted into auxiliary crew quarters due to limited space in Fire Station 12-1.
Water Source 17410 Tilley Road South, Tenino 2017-Present Purchased by Fire District 12 for $62,000 on Jan. 30, 2002.[16] A 33,000 gallon water tank was placed on site to serve as the district's water source.

History Map[]

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Apparatus Roster[]

  • All pump/tank measurements are in US gallons.
  • Shop numbers in brackets after unit assignment.
  • Vehicle Identification Numbers denoted by VIN#
  • Washington license plate denoted by WA#.

Fire Station 41 (Tenino) (Headquarters) - 187 Hodgden Street South, Tenino[]

Built 1962, Expanded 1983 - Career

South Thurston Fire Station 41

Fire Station 41

  • Engine 41 (23-1) - 2023 Spartan FC-94 MFD / KME Challenger (1250/750/25AB) (SN#324190; GSO-11632) (VIN#4S9DKETA7PS559465)
  • Tender 41 (23-2) - 2023 Kenworth T480 6x4 / Fouts Brothers wetside (1250/3000) (WA#D8341C)
  • Brush 41 (18-1) - 2018 Ford F-550 4x4 / 1985 ProTech / 1985 Cascade Fire / 2018 FD remount Type 5 (100/500/10A) (WA#3832C)
  • Aid 41 (24-1) - 2024 Ford F-450 4x4 / 2008 North Star / 2024 Braun Northwest remount Type I (WA#E2811C) (Ex-Aid 412)
  • Chief 41 (21-1) - 2021 Ram 2500 4x4 w/ A.R.E. cap (WA#D1296C)
  • Utility 41 (23-2) - 2023 Ram 2500 4x4 / Knapheide walk-around (WA#D8065C)
  • Engine 412 (Spare) (04-1) - 2004 Kenworth T800 6x4 / HME Silverfox (1250/2500/25A) (SN#116159) (WA#C3833C) (Ex-Engine 42) (Ex-Fire District 16)
  • Brush 412 (Spare) (21-2) - 2021 Ford F-550 4x4 / ProTech / Mallory Type 5 (105/500/25A) (WA#D1298C)
  • Aid 412 (Spare) (24-2) - 2024 Ford F-450 4x4 / 2003 North Star / 2024 Bruan Northwest remount Type I ambulance
  • Unit 00-1 - 2000 Ford Expedition 4x4 utility (WA#56931C)

Fire Station 42 (Gibson Valley) - 21249 Bucoda Highway Southeast, Centralia[]

Built 1983, Expanded 2004 - Volunteer

South Thurston Fire Station 42 (Bays Open, 8-30-23)

Fire Station 42

  • Engine 42 (99-2) - 1999 International 4900 / H&W (1250 top-mount/1000) (SN#79483) (WA#46141C) (Ex-Engine 412. ex-Engine 12-11)
  • Tender 42 (80-2) - 1980 White Road Boss 2 6x4 / 1988 Omco F20HP75 wetside (750 front-mount/2250) (SN#7128725) (WA#07015C) (VIN#8006A3648) (Ex-Tender 44, ex-Tender 42, ex-Tender 412, ex-Tender 12-12)
  • Brush 42 (97-2) - 1997 Ford F-350 4x4 / Knaphiede / 1985 Reiff Manufacturing / 2004 FD-Built Type 6 (165/240) (WA#C3838C) (Ex-Fire District 16)
  • Aid 42 (95-1) - 1995 Ford E-350 / North Star Type III (WA#C3835C) (Ex-Fire District 16)
  • Utility 42 - 1999 Ford F-250 4x4 / 2004 FD-Built (Ex-Chief 41, ex-Battalion 41) (Ex-Fire District 16)
  • Brush 422 (Spare) (89-1) - 1989 International S1700 4x2 / Protech / Mallory / 2023 Mallory refurb / 2024 FD-Built Type 3 (250/500/15A) (WA#79742C) (WWFAU#WFAGP06097) (Ex-Brush 412) (Ex-Toutle Fire & Rescue, purchased Apr. 2021)

Fire Station 43 (Violet Prairie) - 17134 Old Highway 99 Southeast, Tenino[]

Built 1973 - Volunteer

South Thurston Fire & EMS Station 43

Fire Station 43

  • Engine 43 (05-1) 2005 HME SilverFox (1250/750) (SN#20679) (WA#C3907C) (Ex-Engine 41, ex-Engine 12-1)
  • Tender 43 (80-1) - 1980 White Road Boss 2 6x4 / 1988 Omco F20HP75 wetside (750 front-mount/2250) (SN#7128724) (WA#07016C) (Ex-Tender 12-11)

Fire Station 44 (Skookumchuck) - 5405 Skookumchuck Road Southeast, Tenino[]

Built 1974 - Volunteer

South Thurston Fire Station 44

Fire Station 44

Assignment Unknown[]

  • (22-1) - 2022 Ford E-450 / North Star Type III (SO#3224-3) (WA#D4028C) (Ex-Aid 412, ex-Aid 41)

Retired Apparatus[]

Apparatus Retired Post-Merger[]

  • (08-1) 2008 Ford E-450 / North Star Type I ambulance (WA#C3906C) (Ex-Aid 412, ex-Aid 41) (Ex-Thurston County Medic One) (Body remounted on a 2024 Ford F-450 chassis)
  • (03-1) 2003 Ford E-450 / North Star Type III ambulance (WA#C3906C) (Ex-Aid 412, ex-Aid 43, ex-Aid 412) (Ex-Fire District 16) (Body remounted on a 2024 Ford F-450 chassis)
  • (99-3) 1999 Ford E-350 / Road Rescue Type III ambulance (Ex-Aid 43)
  • (99-1) 1999 Ford F-350 4x4 utility (Ex-Utility 41)
  • (97-1) 1997 Ford F-150 4x4 / Husky walk-around utility (WA#56925C) (Ex-Utility 41) (Engine failed 2023.)
  • (96-1) 1996 International 4900 / H&W pumper (1500/1000) (SN#78894) (WA#57442C) (Ex-Engine 43)
  • (89-1) 1989 International S Type V brush (105/500/25A) (Ex-Brush 412) (Ex-McLane Black Lake Fire Department) (Sold to a non-profit organization in Illinois.)
  • (85-1) 1985 GMC Sierra 7000 / Protech / Cascade Fire / 1998 WA DNR refurb Type III brush (100/620/10A) (Ex-Brush 422) (Ex-Fire District 16) (Body remounted on a 2018 Ford F-550 chassis)
  • 1985 Ford F-600 / FD-built Type III brush (port./750) (Ex-Brush 12-1) (Chassis donated by the Widco Mine in Lewis County)
  • (83-1) 1983 GMC General 6x4 / 199? Local elliptical tender (400/3000) (WA#C3837C) (Ex-Tender 422, ex-Tender 42) (Ex-Fire District 16)
  • (80-3) 1980 Kenworth W900 6x4 / St. Johns Truck Equipment elliptical tanker (PTO/3500) (Ex-Tender 41)

Apparatus Retired Pre-Merger[]

  • 1993 Chevrolet 3500 / North Star ambulance (Ex-Aid 12-1) (Ex-Thurston County Medic One, acquired Apr. 16, 2001)
  • 1990 Ford E-350 / Road Rescue ambulance (Ex-Aid 12-2, ex-Squad 12-1) (Purchased with community donations)
  • 1988 International / Protech / Cascade (105/500/25A) (Ex-Brush 12-12) (Ex-McLane Black Lake Fire Department)
  • 1984 Dodge Diplomat (Surplused Mar 9, 1992)[17]
  • 1983 Ford F-800 / Western States pumper (1000 front-mount/1000) (SN#987) (Ex-Engine 12-12)
  • 198? Ford F-800 / FD-Built Type 3 brush
  • 1980 Seagrave P Series pumper (1500/500) (Ex-Engine 12-1) (Ex-Oregon, Purchased in 1995 for $37,000) (Donated to Bucoda Fire Department in Apr. 2001)
  • 1979 Dodge Custom 300 / Pierce walk-around rescue (SN#7688D) (Ex-Rescue 12-3) (Ex-Centralia Fire Department (Washington)) (Purchased ca. 2005)
  • 1978 Pontiac admin unit (Ex-Tumwater Fire Department, purchased 1989)
  • 1978 Ford F-250 Custom 4x4 (WA#C49281)
  • 1975 Ford L-800 / Western States pumper (1000 front-mount/1000) (SN#705) (Ex-Engine 12-12, ex-Engine 12-1)
  • 1975 AM General military pattern 6x6 brush (PTO/1750) (Ex-WA DNR)
  • 1974 Ford E-350 (Ex-Aid 12-1) (Ex-Thurston County Medic One, acquired 1980) (Broke down Jul. 1989, retired 1990)
  • 1974 Dodge Tradesman Type II ambulance (Ex-Aid 12-2, ex-Aid 12-1)
  • 1973 Ford F-750 / Western States pumper (1000 front-mount/1000) (SN#616)
  • 19?? Chevrolet C30 / FD-Built brush (Ex-Brush 12-11) (3rd generation, 1967-1972)
  • 1968 Ford F-800 / Western States pumper (750 front-mount/1000) (SN#409) (Ex-Engine 12-3, ex-Engine 12-11, ex-Engine 12-1-2, ex-Engine 12-6) (WA#C22122)
  • 1968 Ford F-800 / Western States pumper (750 front-mount/1000) (SN#410) (Ex-Engine 12-4, ex-Engine 12-12, ex-Engine 12-8) (WA#16729C) (Purchased by the Town of Tenino, returned to the town ca. 1995)
  • 1958 Chevrolet tanker (250/1000) (Ex-Tumwater Fire Department, purchased 1989) (Surplused Mar. 9, 1992)[17]
  • 1954 GMC 630 / General Fire Truck Corporation / 1967 Reliable Welding pumper (750/750) (Ex-Tumwater Fire Department, purchased 1988) (Surplused Mar. 9, 1992)[17]
  • 1952 GMC M135 2½-ton 6x6 / FD-Built (Ex-US Army, purchased 1971/72)
  • 1952 GMC M135 2½-ton 6x6 / FD-Built (Ex-US Army, purchased 1971/72)
  • 1952 GMC M135 2½-ton 6x6 / FD-Built (Ex-US Army, purchased 1971/72)
  • 1952 GMC M135 2½-ton 6x6 / FD-Built (Ex-US Army, purchased 1971/72)
  • 1947 Chevrolet Loadmaster / Roney (500pto,150aux/500) (Ex-Engine 12-2) (Ex-Pierce County Fire Protection District No. 6, purchased May 2, 1962 for $4,750.00) (District's first engine, second apparatus)
  • 1945 Mack tanker (250/2000) (Ex-Tender 12-1) (Purchased from a resident in the Tumwater area on 4/7/1962, ex-US Army Air Force) (District's first tender and apparatus)
  • 194? Dodge WC-54 ¾-ton / 196? FD-conversion brush (?/225) (Ex-US Army) (Purchased in an ambulance configuration, conveted into a brush unit by the district) (District's first brush and third apparatus)

External Links[]

South Thurston Fire & EMS Website
South Thurston Fire & EMS Facebook

References[]

  1. ↑ Thurston County Auditor's Office (2005). Interlocal Agreement For Mutual Aid For Firefighting and Emergency Medical Services (File #3734453). Recorded May 25, 2005. EagleWeb.
  2. ↑ Interlocal Agreement for Fire Chief. East Olympia Fire District 6. Accessed Feb. 2, 2025.
  3. ↑ Letter of Agreement. East Olympia Fire District 6. Accessed Feb. 2, 2025.
  4. ↑ Thurston County Auditor's Office (2017). Quitclaim Deed (File #4676097) Accessed Aug. 21, 2023. Laserfiche Weblink.
  5. ↑ Board of County Commissioners (1966). Resolution #3451. Signed Apr. 18, 1966. Laserfiche Weblink.
  6. ↑ Board of Fire Commissioners (1998). Resolution 98.
  7. ↑ Thurston County Auditor's Office (2017). November 7, 2017 Primary Election Results. Thurston County Election Archive.
  8. ↑ Board of Fire Commissioners (2021). Resolution 2021-006. Adopted July 30, 2021.
  9. ↑ Thurston County Auditor's Office (2021). November 2nd, 2021 General Election Results (Page 28). Thurston County Election Archive.
  10. ↑ Thurston County Building Department (1983). Permit #10972. Issued Oct. 30, 1983. Laserfiche Weblink.
  11. ↑ Thurston County Assessor's Office (2024). Parcel #79100800300 Report.
  12. ↑ Thurston County Auditor's Office (1973). Quitclaim Deed (File #897264). EagleWeb.
  13. ↑ Thurston County Auditor's Office (1974). Quitclaim Deed (File #897263). EagleWeb.
  14. ↑ Thurston County Auditor's Office (1975). Quitclaim Deed (File #929007). Eagleweb.
  15. ↑ Thurston County Assessor's Office. Parcel #79100300500 Report. Accessed Sep. 23, 2023
  16. ↑ Thurston County Assessor's Office. Parcel #77500500300 Report. Accessed Sep. 23, 2023
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Resolution #74 (Recorded Mar. 10, 1992), Thurston County Fire Protection District No. 12 Commissioners. Accessed Feb. 25, 2024

Station Map[]

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