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King County Fire District 27
King County Fire District 27 is located in Fall City, Washington, nestled in the Cascade foothills 24 miles east of Seattle. The Fire District serves a population of approximately 6,400 people in and surrounding the unincorporated rural town of Fall City. The Fire District service area is 22 square miles.
The area offers many recreational activities from river rafting, hiking, horseback riding, golfing and much more. Two river systems, the Snoqualmie and the Raging rivers cross through the District. Several lakes dot the landscape and the Snoqualmie Falls is a popular attraction that borders the Fire District. Fall City is comprised mostly of residential properties, agricultural farming and service business operations.
OUTDOOR BURN BAN FOR YARD DEBRIS FIRES
Effective June 1, King County Fire Marshal implemented a STAGE 1 restriction ban. This ban specifically relates to yard debris fires. All burn permits that were issued through June 15 will be invalid on June 1.
The burn ban is in response to the increased fuel loads and reduced moisture content and the warmer weather conditions. At this time Recreational Fires, Gas/Propane appliances, including grills, pellet smokers and charcoal grills are still permitted.
FIRE DISTRICT NEWS
Fire District Ballot Measure Proposal
General Election - November 7
The Board of Commissioners will be submitting a ballot measure requesting Voter approval of a multi-year levy lid lift at the November 7 general election. If approved the proposition will authorize the District to establish its regular property tax levy rate at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for the first year, and be adjusted for years 2-6 of the levy lid lift period by the greater of 3% or the annual CPI-U index for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, subject to applicable statutory limitations. The current year of the maintenance and operations (M&O) levy would not be collected for 2024.
The Fire District’s current regular levy rate is $0.78 and the M&O levy rate is $0.31 for a combined total of $1.09 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
The proposed levy lid lift will allow the District to keep pace with the increased costs of providing fire protection and emergency services, including the replacement of apparatus and equipment, and on-going maintenance of capital facilities and equipment.
“Pros and Cons” Committee Members Needed for Ballot Measure
As part of the election process, the District is looking for individuals who would be interested in participating on committees to write the statements for or against the ballot measure. These statements will appear in the voters’ pamphlet along with the description of the ballot measure. Individuals wanting to participate need to be a registered voter and live in the Fire District.
Submit your letter of interest to the District office by 5:00 p.m. July 10, 2023, addressed to the Board of Commissioners at King County Fire District 27, PO Box 609, Fall City, WA 98024, or email to administration@king27fire.com. For more information call (425) 222-5841.
Congratulations to Firefighter Tanner Hillier and Firefighter Greg Lussier for
completing their rookie year with the Fire Department.
Tanner Hillier was a Volunteer Firefighter with Snoqualmie Fire & Rescue prior to being hired by Fall City and Greg Lussier was recruited through the Fall City Volunteer Program. Both Firefighters have spent countless hours in training and have excelled in their position. In addition to being Firefighters they are certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s). They will be attending Swift Water Rescue training in the Spring and then joining our Rescue Operations Team. Thank you both for your commitment to serve the people of Fall City.
Fire District Awarded Grants
Chief Brian Culp announced at the August 29th Board of Commissioners' meeting that the District received the Assistance to Firefighter's Grant through FEMA for $59,474 with a 5% match of $2,974 for a total of $62,448. The grant request will provide $25,448 for eight complete sets of bunker gear and $37,000 that will be used for training.
The District was also awarded a FEMA Public Assistance Grant for $62,000 to pay for COVID-19 related expenses that were incurred during the pandemic.
FIRE DISTRICT 27
77 Years of Service
To the Fall City Community
1946 - 2023
This May will mark the 77th anniversary of the Fire District. It was about 1944 when Fall City grocer Allen Slott began the campaign to establish a Fire District in Fall City. He organized and recruited other citizens to help move the project forward. Prior to the formation of the District two hose carts were deployed to combat fires in the community.
The Fire District was formed after the passage of a special election on May 7, 1946. The ballot measure to form the Fire District passed by a vote of 157 yes and 8 no votes. The Board of County Commissioners of King County, Washington, declared the incorporation of King County Fire District 27 on May 27, 1946. Howard Stow, Charles Hanson, and Calvin Kiest served as the first Fire District Commissioners.
Allen Slott who was later appointed Fire Chief pushed to fill the 16-man roster by enlisting the help of his wife who prepared meals for the firefighters on drill night and a game of poker would round out the evening.
On October 2, 1946, the Fire District purchased its first fire truck, at a cost of $1,782, an International, which featured a 300-gallon tank, a mid-ship 500 gallon per minute pump and a high-pressure PTO pump, and it had the capability of pumping water while being driven. In those early years, the calls came over the fire phones, and the first person at the station would put the address and information on a blackboard, and the siren would be activated. You were to have your gear ready, your car filled with gas and the first man there started the fire truck and got to drive.
The Fire District has seen a lot of changes in the past 77 years from hose carts to fire engines, from answering the alarm from home, to 24 hour shifts at the station. What hasn't changed is the devoted individuals who recognize that preserving life and property is a sacred responsibility, and the Firefighters who make that responsibility their own are dedicated, courageous, kind, and share a passion that is unlike any other.
Circa 1951
75th Anniversary Celebration
Lf-Rt- Scott Fleming, Mike Larson, Greg Lussier, Noah Fleming, Parker Dumas, Aaron Hansen, Jake Conroy, Dane Brookshear, Parker McKinnon, Daniel Meredith, Lilly Hansen, Eric Hollis, Melinda Wall, Patrick LeDoux, Amy Juliano, Kyra Bruce, Steve Bandy, Dylan Lindberg, Marcus Noble, Jon McKinnon, Rob Stevens, Kyle Patterson, Brian Culp. Not pictured - Kris Belfield, Nikki Eaton, Rena Echols, Parker Griffin, Pete Montefusco, Joseph Navarro, Cian Portugal, Mitchell Ruth, Joe Springer
Honorary Retired Firefighters with 25 years of Service
Front Lf-Rt-Eric Soderman, Ken Larson, Dave Hart, Tommie Brice, Vern Winter, Gene Stevens, Kevin Little
Back Lf-Rt- Stan Kropi, Chris Connor, Kevin Hauglie
Former Fire District Firefighters
Front Lf-Rt - Tony Roat, Jay Bluher, Carol Brock, Dave Hart, Tommie Brice, Vern Winter, Gene Stevens, Rich Tobian,
Back Lf-Rt - Eric Soderman, Matt Brock, Ken Larson, Stan Kropi, Chris Connor, Kevin Hauglie, Kevin Little
Meet Chief Brian Culp
On February 1, 2021 Chief Connor passed the baton to Alton “Brian” Culp who officially became the fifth Fire Chief of District 27. Chief Culp started with the fire service 32-years ago as a junior volunteer firefighter with the Los Chavez Fire Department in Valencia County, New Mexico, at the age of thirteen. Throughout the past 32-years, he has served in both volunteer and career positions, giving him first hand understanding of the dynamics of a combination fire department.
Chief Culp served as Fire Chief for Valencia County from 2016 to his retirement from the department in 2020 and prior to that was Assistant Chief of Volunteer Recruitment and Retention of Sandoval County Fire Department. He also served as EMS Chief of Valencia County Fire Department (2007-2012); Deputy Fire Marshal at the Bernalillo County Fire Department (2000-2005); an Adjunct Instructor for both the University of New Mexico, EMS Academy, and New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy; and as the Vice-Chair for the Fire & Emergency Manager's Affiliate through New Mexico Counties.
Chief Culp moved to Washington with his wife, Rachael, and their two dogs. They also have a daughter who is serving as an Officer in the Navy in San Diego, CA.
Chief Culp plans to build on the continued success of the Fire District in providing the best service for the community and visitors to the Fall City area.
INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET COVID-19
VACCINE IN KING COUNTY
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For information on how to get COVID-19 vaccine go to KingCounty.gov/vaccine.
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Vaccine Locator at VaccineLocator.doh.wa.gov. Vaccine Locator shows who is currently eligible for the vaccine and finds available appointments. Vaccine Locator has a drop-down menu (in the upper right-hand corner of the page) in 30 languages.
KING COUNTY VACCINE ELIGIBILITY AND INFORMATION
See Washington State Department of Health’s guidance for more information.
Answers to your questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Washington state may be found at Washington State Department of Health call center at 1–800–525–0127 and press # from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday — Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday — Sunday. Language assistance is available.
Fall City Fire District 27 with King County ALERT can keep Fall City Residents and Business Owners informed about Significant Events and EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
ALERT King County is a regional public information and notification service offered by King County Emergency Management to help keep you informed about potential hazards and threats that impact your area.
Fire District 27 recommends being prepared for up to 7 days!
It is not uncommon during a storm or natural disaster to be without power in the rural areas for several days or even more than a week.
1. Have a Plan
2. Build an Emergency Kit
3.Get Involved-Learn CPR/First Aid
PRACTICE YOUR ESCAPE
If a fire occurred in your home tonight, would your family get out safely?
A fast, pre-planned escape is critical to survival.
Waking up to smoke and flames is one of the worst things that can happen to your family and home. Once the smoke alarm sounds, a fire can spread quickly, leaving only a few minutes to escape. That's why it's so important to have a home fire escape plan, that prepares your family to think fast and get out quickly.