Recruiting efforts have begun

NKF&R is now accepting applications to test for admission into its volunteer-intern firefighter program through April 1.

The program provides training, education and certifications along with real-life experience as the volunteer participants serve the community alongside the district’s paid personnel, earning an edge over other aspirants in the highly-competitive fire service job market. Candidates must include a valid CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test, available in the region through at least two independent testing companies — Public Safety Testing and National Testing Network) card along with their application, and be available for written general knowledge testing on April 6. Those passing the written exam will be interviewed by a panel of veteran firefighters on April 7. If selected to participate in the program, each new recruit will join one of the district’s three shifts in May to begin their training. NKF&R crews serve on a 48-hour-on/ 96-hour-off schedule. For more information, see our web site at nkfr.org or call 360-297-3619.

Car seat checks

Due to February’s record snowfall, NKF&R was unable to hold a monthly car seat check event. Those who would like to make sure that the kids in their vehicle are riding as safely as possible, join us on Saturday, March 9 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at our headquarters station at 26642 Miller Bay Road NE near Kingston.

Improved Fire Insurance Rating

Supporting fire departments with property taxes is generally thought of as an investment in saving lives and property. It can also be an investment in saving money — on fire insurance premiums. Last spring, we underwent an exhaustive review by the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau (WSRB). The WSRB, according to their website “evaluates communities across the state and establishes the Protection Class grading for the community.” The lower the protection class number, the better. Our staff’s hard work and the public’s investment is paying off; we’ve recently received word that NKF&R’s protection class has been lowered from a 5 (6 for properties more than 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant) to a 4 (5 for properties more than 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant). We encourage property and business owners to contact their agents to find out if the new rating will have an effect on their building’s fire insurance premiums.