about WCFD #1
mission statement
To prevent or minimize the loss of life, damage to the environment and loss of property from the adverse affects of fire, medical emergencies, and hazardous conditions.
our values
1. Professional Excellence
2. Health and Safety
3. Integrity
We believe in the pursuit of excellence and demonstrated high professional standards are critical to our work. To ensure the best possible service to our community, the Fire Department supports continuous training and encourages professional development.
We believe our health and safety are essential to fulfilling the fire department’s mission. we are committed to providing the best health and safety programs for our member’s well being and operational readiness.
We understand the trust placed in us by the public and our colleagues is intergral to the performance of our duties. We are committed to honest and ethical behavior and will hold ourselves accountable to these values.
4. Teamwork and Leadership
5. Community service and involvement
6. Innovation
We know well functioning teams are more effective than individuals working separately; our lives depend on it. We believe individuals have the capacity to lead and our organization values leadership at all levels.
We believe we have the duty to be involved in the community where we work. Our responsibility is to protect life, property, and the environment. We are committed to fulfilling our responsibility and to deepening our involvement in the community we serve.
We recognize and understand that the constancy of change in our community and industry impacts our business daily. We are committed to seeking out and implementing innovation and progressive thinking to address change effectively and efficiently, benefiting those we serve.
Our History
In 1913 a group of about 35 people from the Everson area decided to start a fire department to provide fire protection. To raise funds, each member paid $1.00 to join the new department and serve the community. For about 60 years the fire department was part of City Hall and volunteers responded to calls in the community when they heard the loud siren on top of the hose tower.
In 1941 Washington State created a law that allowed communities to form fire protection districts with taxing authority. Later that year members of the community took advantage of the new law and formed the first fire protection district in Whatcom County. The district was 74 square miles when it incorporated and it grew to 75 square miles when it took in the community of Deming years later. The district started with two stations, one in Everson and one in Nugent’s Corner.
In 1978 the City of Everson and the Fire Department had out grown the facilities at City Hall so a new fire station was built at the current location in downtown Everson. This station houses the district administration even though it does not have any office space. This station, known as Station 81, responds to about 70% of the District’s total call volume.
In 2003 a new station was built in Nugent’s Corner to replace a station that was too small. This station serves the south east area of the district. This station, known as Station 82, responds to about 30% of the District’s total call volume.
In 2007 the District hired our first full time Chief. In addition to the Chief, in 2013 the first career firefighter was hired. Currently we staff a chief, an assistant chief, five full-time firefighter/Emt’s, and 6 part-time firefighter/emt’s.
Currently, Fire District #1 provides fire protection and basic life support emergency medical services (EMS) to an area approximately 75 square miles within the District’s boundaries. The District provides service to the Cities of Everson, Nooksack, Deming and the Nooksack Indian Tribe. Three elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school are served by the District. The District also has several areas of critical infrastructure that impact the nation. The William’s pipeline runs through the district from Canada and distributes natural gas to the western United States. The Trans-Mountain pipeline distributes crude oil from Canada to the petroleum refineries in the area.
With our ever growing community, District #1’s call volume has steadily been increasing with each new year. Along with the call increase, the amount of BLS Transports to the hospital has also steadily increased. Along with the full time staff members, District #1 currently has about 30 volunteers that either work shifts (day or night), respond to calls from home or both. More than a century after its inception, the District still relies on volunteers that are as dedicated as those charter members who had to pay in order to volunteer their time. We appreciate and are so grateful for the great community we have the privilege to serve.