RIDGEFIELD, Wash. — On Monday, Aug. 31, Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) swore in eight new firefighters during a ceremony at its Station 21 headquarters. The new personnel — five firefighter/paramedics and three firefighter/EMTs — represent one of the largest hiring classes in CCFR’s history. The eight new firefighters allow CCFR to staff a second, fully equipped ambulance scheduled to go into service Jan. 1, 2027.
During the ceremony, recruits took the oath of office with friends and family by their side. New recruits include:
Firefighter/Paramedics
- Tyson Klar – 9 years experience at South Metro Fire District (Metropolitan Denver area)
- Tyler Pugmire – 9 years experience at Los Angeles Fire Department
- Brodey Kitzmiller – Entry-level; 1.5 years previous paramedic experience at Salem (Ore.) Fire Department
- Devin DaCunha – Entry-level; 5 years previous experience as a paramedic with American Medical Response (AMR) in Clark County (3 years paramedic, 2 years EMT)
- Jorden Perez – Entry-level; 1.5 years experience with Pacific County (Wash.) Fire District
Firefighter/EMTs
- Andrew Heesacker – 3.5 years experience at Lacey (Wash.) Fire District
- Kyle Heesacker – 5 years experience at Lacey Fire District
- John Abercrombie – 3 years experience at Valley Regional Fire Authority in Auburn/King County, Wash.
As CCFR’s service area has grown, so has the demand for emergency medical services (EMS). In 2025, the district responded to nearly 6,000 incidents (an average of about 16.5 calls per day), nearly 70 percent of which were EMS calls. Of those, CCFR’s single ambulance handled more than 1,500 of the most serious cases. But when that ambulance was already on another call, American Medical Response (AMR) had to step in due to a lack of available CCFR transport resources. A second ambulance means faster response times and fewer gaps in coverage.
“Our service area is extremely diverse. We protect growing urban communities like Ridgefield, La Center and Woodland, right alongside the rural areas of Clark County that depend on us just as much,” said CCFR Fire Chief John Nohr. “As our community grows, so does our responsibility to it. Bringing on eight new firefighters and adding a second ambulance isn’t just about keeping up with that growth, it’s about making sure that no matter where you live in our district, help is never far away. I couldn’t be prouder of the people joining our department today, and I know our community is safer because of them.”
Funding for these positions is made possible by CCFR’s EMS levy, which was approved by voters in 2022 and enacted in 2023. The levy funds the paramedics, equipment and apparatus needed to keep pace with the district’s growth.
Starting Sept. 1, the new recruits will begin a one-year probation period. This includes a 15-week fire training academy and supervised on-the-job training, ensuring recruits are properly equipped and fully cleared to respond to calls. During the probation period, currently serving firefighter paramedics and EMTs who have completed their own probationary periods will staff the new ambulance.
CCFR continues to track response volume and response times, adjusting staffing and resources as needed to best serve the community.
Meet the New Hires
