News in Fire & Police

Fire Department Receives Patriots Award 

and Battalion Chief Todd Meyer received the Patriots Award on Monday, April 25, at its Commissioner meeting. Gordon Jacobson of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), who presented the award, said it is given to those who make it possible for members of the Military Reserves and Guard to deploy when activated. He said that, in the past decade, more than 800,000 members of the armed forces have been activated to serve, from a couple of weeks to more than a year.

When firefighter Ryan Kress, 34, was called to Army National Guard duty in December, Meyer gave up his vacation so that Kress and his family could spend some time before he was deployed to the Philippines in January.

Jacobson said the Pierce County Fire District also has a policy that protects military men and women from losing their jobs after they return from their tours overseas.

Kress' wife, Heidi, and their three children were also present at the meeting. She thanked the fire department for supporting the family while her husband is away. 

"Everyone has been amazing," she said. "We've been blown away."

She said 26 firefighters involved in "Operation Kress" take turns checking on the family. The firefighters, including Meyer, help out with household chores including babysitting and yard work. 

In the meantime, Heidi Kress said she keeps in touch with her husband via Skype, email and her blog. 

According to the fire department, this was Kress' first deployment since joining the Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One in April 2008. He is expected to return to Gig Harbor this August.

GHPD Adds Two Reserve Officers

The swore in reserve officers James Oxier and Jennifer Moots at the City Council meeting on Monday. After five months of training, the two recently graduated from the Reserve Academy with high marks, according to GHPD Chief Mike Davis.

Oxier, 23, graduated from in 2006 and earned his associate's degree at Olympic College. He was a member of the Explorer program at GHPD from 2006 to 2010. 

"I look forward to serving our community and gaining experience in a profession that I love," said Oxier, whose father, Randy, also served on the department as a reserve officer about 30 years ago.

Moots, also a Gig Harbor High School alum, has served as an Explorer for about four-and-a-half years, where she rose to the rank of captain. In 2009, she received a TOP COPS award.

At the reserve academy, Moots proved to be both academically and athletically qualified. She served as the class vice president and finished second in academics. During her defensive tactics training, the 5-foot-6-inch, 120-pound reserve officer faced a 6-foot-4, 260-pound officer in a battle that lasted almost 10 minutes.

She was recently hired as a police dispatcher at Pierce County Law Enforcement Support Agency (LESA).

"I grew up in Gig Harbor, and I want to make a difference in the community," said Moots.

The two will now undergo training with Gig Harbor Police for a year.

Firefighters Crossing Borders Raises Money for Upcoming Project

Locals packed Friday evening to raise money for the Firefighters Crossing Borders (FFCB).

Founded in 2000, the nonprofit organization helps fire departments in Mexico by providing their firefighters with equipment, training and education.

"It started out when we had extra equipment, and we didn't want to waste them," said Joel Schwarz, founder of FFCB.

Schwarz said fire departments in Mexico don't get enough funding from the government to support themselves, and the organization's mission is to make sure the donated equipment end up to the fire departments in Mexico. 

According to Schwarz, local firefighters Andy Cochrane and Bob Gandara recently presented their upcoming mission to the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Midday, and Diane Beck, the owner of The Wine Studio, donated her location for the event.

Cochraine and Gandara, who are also CPR instructors, got involved with the organization after a tourist from Port Townsend died while vacationing in Sayulita, Mexico, with his family, according to Cochrane. He said the man died at the beach because there were no lifeguards or emergency services in the community.

Later this year, the group plans to visit Sayulita and San Pancho to train local lifeguards and firefighters

"We like to teach and help the people there," said Cochrane. "If we can offer what we know best, that's great."

In addition to the training, Schwarz said many local firefighters are often stuck with using worn-out equipments and must share protective gear. 

"When one of the firefighters finished his shift, he would pass it on to the next person who came to work," he said.

According to Schwarz, FFCB recently got approved for an International Service Program with Rotary International Mexico. They are also working with a major personal protection gear manufacturer to get protection clothing to emergency workers in Mexico.

Although this was the first formal fundraising event, Schwarz said they hope to raise more money and awareness in the future.

To find out more about the organization and how you can help, go to http://www.firefighterscrossingborders.org.