 NAME:Matt HolmPOSITION:Assistant ChiefYEARS OF SERVICE:39PERSONAL:Married to Janet, 2 Sons
Matt began his career in the fire service in 1972 as a “Jr. Firefighter.” Then, a Jr. Firefighter was someone who was under 16 years of age who could drill and learn the skills of firefighting, but could not participate in any actually firefighting activities. Matt started at 15 years old and when he turned 16, he became a Volunteer Firefighter, which he continued to do throughout his high school years.
Matt attended Bates Vocational School after high school and became a Resident Volunteer Firefighter, living at a fire station, when not in school. In late 1977, he was hired at Fire District 9 (South Hill) and was only the fifth paid person to be hired there. The department remained mostly a volunteer fire department well into the late 1980’s.
Matt continued to expand his knowledge in the fire department by first becoming a training instructor for the department in the early 1980’s, then a Division Chief overseeing the department’s facilities and apparatus through the mid 1980’s to early 1990’s. As the department grew, Matt tested and was promoted to the position of Lieutenant, then Captain and finally a Battalion Chief in 1987.
Following the merger of Parkland/Midland, Spanaway and South Hill/Summit in the mid 1990’s (forming Central Pierce Fire & Rescue), Matt became Battalion Chief of ‘B’ Shift overseeing the daily emergency operations. In 2000, he was promoted to Assistant Chief overseeing Emergency Medical Services. In 2006, Matt moved full time into the position of Assistant Chief of the Prevention & Education Division. He now oversees prevention programs presented to the public, as well as, working with the fire marshal’s office. Matt is also the department’s Public Information Officer and works closely with the media, as well as, handling public speaking engagements on a regular basis to community groups, civic groups, etc.
After 38 years with Central Pierce, Matt has seen a lot of change and a steady growth in the department. Following the merger with the City of Puyallup, the department now has approximately 300 paid firefighters and responds to approximately 24,000 emergency calls each year. Matt remembers his first year when the department responded on 165 emergency calls. Back in those days, there was only one paid Chief and one paid Firefighter.
Matt is married to his wife Janet (for 26 years) she works at Clover Park Technical College. He has two boys, one is attending Central Washington University, and the other is attending Eastern Washington University. When not at work, Matt enjoys the outdoors (mostly on his Harley). Every day is a great day, especially if the sun is shining!  NAME:Dana TissuePOSITION:Firefighter/ParamedicYEARS OF SERVICE:10PERSONAL:Married to Tamara Ladder Competition - AVERY ISLAND, La., January 9, 2007 – Sound the alarms! Did you know that Vashon Island, Wash. and Puyallup, Wash. are home to two of America’s most talented firehouse cooks? Jason Everett, a firefighter with the Vashon Island Fire and Rescue, and Dana Tissue, a firefighter with the Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, are trading in their turnout coats and Scott packs for aprons and spice racks, and a chance to cook their way to a $10,000 grand prize in the fourth national Tabasco® Cook & Ladder Competition to be held in New York City on February 6, 2007.
Everett and Tissue will go head-to-head with the culinary talent of eight other firefighters from across the country and serve up their favorite recipes – Blazin’ Hot Chicken and Smoky Salmon Chowder respectively – to vie for the title of “America’s Hottest Firehouse Cook.” A panel of food industry judges selected Everett and Tissue to participate in the heated cook-off based on their fiery recipe submissions, which each include one of the six Tabasco pepper sauces, and brief essays describing why their recipes are hottest and most creative dishes in a firehouse kitchen.
Grand prize is $10,000; second prize is $5,000; and third prize is $2,000. All prize money is divided evenly between the winning firefighters and their affiliated firehouses.
Contestants will prepare their recipes for a judging panel composed of chefs, journalists, firefighters and fiery food experts from McIlhenny Company, maker of Tabasco brand products.
The first Tabasco Cook & Ladder Competition took place in New York City in 1994 at the French Culinary Institute, and evolved into a series of regional cook-offs staged throughout the United States in 1995 and 1996. In 2000, McIlhenny Company held the first-ever national Tabasco Cook & Ladder Competition in New York City at The Institute of Culinary Education. For more information, please visit www.TABASCO.com. # # # The TABASCO® marks, bottle and label designs are registered trademarks and servicemarks exclusively of McIlhenny Company, Avery Island, LA 70513. http://www.TABASCO.comTABASCO® Country Store 1-800-634-9599  NAME:Rich ColemanPOSITION:Fire CommissionerYEARS OF SERVICE:38PERSONAL:Married, one son and daughter
Commissioner Coleman began his involvement with the fire service in 1972 and spent 18 years as a volunteer firefighter. He later wanted to become more involved with policies and procedures. He has served as an elected Fire Commissioner since 1994. At the same time, he became active with citizens' concerns and activities including involvement with the Midland Association, Midland Matters, and now, is the vice president on the Board for the Midland Community Center.
Commissioner Coleman first served during the merger of four fire districts which formed Central Pierce Fire & Rescue and recently has been integral in adding the City of Puyallup and North Puyallup to the department.
"I'll serve to see the department continue to grow and be one of the best for all the citizens. In the years to come, there will be many challenges and mountains to climb," Coleman said. "It will be a day-to-day joy to continue to serve as Commissioner and work with the wonderful people of Central Pierce Fire & Rescue."  NAME:Jack M. AndrenPOSITION:Fire ChiefYEARS OF SERVICE:42PERSONAL:Single, 3 Sons, 2 Grandsons, 1 Granddaughter
Fire Chief Jack Andren will be retiring on May 25. We all wish him the best!
Chief Andren’s exposure to the fire service began at a young age. His grandparents lived one block from the old Tacoma Fire Station #9 (which is now the Engine House #9 Pub). As a kid, he’d walk over to the station for tours and to talk with the firefighters.
In the 4th grade, Chief Andren recalls a classmate’s father (a Tacoma Fire Department Lieutenant) visiting the class to show his firefighting gear and talk about the profession. From that point forward, he was hooked.
In 1968, Andren became a volunteer firefighter with the Parkland Fire Department. He attended the Tacoma Vocational/Technical (now Bates) Fire Training Course from 1969-1970. He was hired as a career firefighter for the Parkland Fire Department in March 1971. Over the next several years, Andren worked his way up through the ranks, promoting to Lieutenant in 1974 and Captain in 1980.
In 1973, Andren was instrumental in forming IAFF Local 2175, becoming it’s first president and serving in that position for over twenty years. For ten years he held the position of 4th District Representative to the Washington State Council of Firefighters and also served as its Secretary-Treasurer in 1995.
In 1995, the Parkland/Midland Fire Departments merged with the Spanaway and Summit/South Hill Fire Departments forming what is now Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. In August of 1996, Andren was promoted to Assistant Chief in charge of Community Services. In 1998, he assumed the Assistant Chief of Field Operations role.
In March of 2001, he was appointed “Interim Fire Chief” and on September 1, 2001, Andren was promoted to the position of Fire Chief. During his tenure, the department has grown substantially. Andren was instrumental in building three new fire stations and increasing minimum staffing on all fire engines and ladder trucks to 3-person crews. When asked about his biggest accomplishments he had two. 1) The annexation of the City of Puyallup Fire Department into Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. 2) The partnership with the City of Tacoma Fire Department which sends the closest units to emergencies regardless of borders.
He has always considered his highest priorities, safety of firefighters and improving emergency response capabilities to the citizens we serve. When asked what he enjoyed the most about being Fire Chief, Andren stated, “I have had the privilege of leading a group of highly motivated, dedicated people who share a common passion to serve their neighbors in their time of need.”
In retirement, Chief Andren will enjoy riding his Harley, traveling to Arizona and time with his friends and family.  NAME:Guy OverbyPOSITION:Deputy Fire MarshalYEARS OF SERVICE:19PERSONAL:Married to Marga Lee, 1 daughter Mahlia, 1 son Alex
I graduated from Rogers High School in 1984, spent the next several years working for a cabinet shop, and then Boeing. I was hired by the Puyallup Fire Department (now Central Pierce Fire & Rescue) on Sept. 1, 1991. I took a temporary appointment into the Fire Marshal’s office in 1998. I enjoyed it so much I took the next promotional exam and was promoted full time in early 2000.
During my 9 years in investigations, I have had 7 Deputy Fire Marshals come and go, as well as, 6 different supervisors. Hmmmm, not sure if it’s me or the job that’s wearing them all out.
Most of my spare time is spent in the gym. I have been competing in bodybuilding since 1993 and my wife (the love of my life) is a nationally ranked Figure/Fitness Competitor. People always ask how we tell our trophies apart. I always say it’s easy, most of mine say 2nd place and most of hers say 1st.
When not dieting for a show, my wife and I enjoy wine tasting and traveling to sunny destinations. Mexico and Las Vegas seem to be where we find ourselves most often. My other passions are my 1968 442 Convertible, golfing and, as much as I hate to admit it, I am a Fantasy Football addict.
 NAME:Jim McAdamsPOSITION:Battalion ChiefYEARS OF SERVICE:25PERSONAL:Married, 2 Kids
I was born in High Wycombe, England on June 9th, 1962. My Dad was in the military and met my Mom there. Being military, we traveled a lot and we were stationed in Guam, Germany, Oklahoma, Texas, Massachusetts, Arizona, and finally Washington.
I attended Aylen Junior High and Puyallup High School. There, I played baseball and basketball. After graduation, I went to Bates Vocational Tech for fire service training and attended Fort Steilacoom Community College in pursuit of my Fire Command and Administration degree.
I was hired with the Summit/South Hill Fire Department in April of 1985 and decided to get away from the 2 year levies and see what the City of Puyallup had to offer for security in 1989 (insert laugh here). Now with the merger with Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, I am happy to be back with many of the people I worked with in the past and look forward to meeting all the new fellow employees.
I have been married to my wonderful wife, Heidi, for 22 years (18 of them happy, joke!). I have 2 great kids, Jessica is 18 and Luke is 16.
I enjoy traveling, fishing, camping, playing softball with CPFR, and basketball sessions whenever possible.
 NAME:Ruth ObadalPOSITION:Deputy ChiefYEARS OF SERVICE:33PERSONAL:Married to
Chuck Hammonds
Ruth never meant to be a firefighter. It was a career not open to women in the early 1970s. She studied music and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in piano and music theory. After completing coursework for a master’s degree in music theory and working for several years in an opera performance ensemble, she decided to look around for something different. When she learned the Kansas City (Missouri) Fire Department was hiring firefighters, and they would consider women, she decided to apply. She was hired in 1977, and, despite having no background in the fire service, she found that she loved this work and determined to make it her career.
Ruth worked her way up through the ranks of Firefighter, Fire Apparatus Operator, and Battalion Chief with KCFD. Special interests along the way included becoming an EMT, then an EMT instructor, and eventually the department’s first EMS Chief, in addition to working regular line positions at all ranks and in all areas of the city. As with all fire service careers, there have been highs and lows. Two especially significant tragedies have had a lasting impact—the 1981 Hyatt Hotel skywalks collapse in Kansas City, which killed 114 people and seriously injured hundreds, and the 1988 explosion at a construction site that killed six Kansas City firefighters—Ruth’s friends and co-workers.
In 1996 Ruth moved to Eugene, Oregon to take a position as Division Chief of Planning for Eugene Fire & EMS Department. She led that department’s records management, strategic and operational planning, grants management, and accreditation activities, as well as serving as the city’s emergency management director.
In 2006, Ruth relocated again to become the Deputy Chief of Operations for Puyallup Fire & Rescue and was appointed Fire Chief in 2007. With the annexation of the City of Puyallup into Central Pierce in January 2009, Ruth became the Deputy Chief of Administration.
Throughout Ruth’s fire service career, she has continued to pursue professional development opportunities, obtaining an Associate Degree in Fire Science Technology (Penn Valley Community College, 1990), a Bachelor of Public Administration/Fire Service Management (Park College, 1993), graduation from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program (1998), and a Master of Science in Executive Fire Service Leadership (Grand Canyon University, 2004). She has also achieved the internationally recognized Chief Fire Officer designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
Ruth and Chuck live in Puyallup. They enjoy traveling, geocaching, hiking and other outdoor activities. They share their home with their cat Beethoven.
 NAME:Cliff IottePOSITION:Deputy Fire MarshalYEARS OF SERVICE:21PERSONAL:4 kids
Cliff was born and raised in Forks, WA. He worked in mills, operated heavy equipment building roads and then, logged for ten years.
He was married and has four kids, ages 24 to 34. One child is still in college. Cliff enjoys having five grandchildren.
Cliff attended the Police Academy in Burien and in his words, “Yes, pepper spray sucks.” With 28 years in the fire service, he has served on the Hazardous Materials team and the Urban Search and Rescue team. He currently is a certified fire investigator and performs Fire Inspections and Investigations in the City of Puyallup.
In his off time, Cliff enjoys deer hunting and anything related to the outdoors.
 NAME:Doug WillisPOSITION:Fire ChiefYEARS OF SERVICE:30PERSONAL:Married, 2 sons and 1 dog
We'd like to congratulate our new Fire Chief Doug Willis on his appointment effective June 1st!
Doug is a third generation firefighter. Both his father and grandfather worked for the Tacoma Fire Department. His father served from 1949-1974 and his grandfather started the family tradition in 1927, then served for thirty years. While in school, Doug saw himself becoming a teacher, however at eighteen, he was eager to work. After a year in construction, he realized the importance of a steady job with benefits. This was the first time he seriously considered being a firefighter.
Doug enrolled in the Bates Fire Service training program. Due to the financial commitment of owning a house, he only attended Bates for a couple months; however, this did not end his quest to be a firefighter. He continued to study on his own and take firefighter tests. In the spring of 1980, he was one of six firefighters hired by (at that time) the Summit-South Hill fire district.
In 1984, Doug was promoted to lieutenant and in 1987, he was promoted to captain. When the three fire districts merged to make up Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, he spent ten years frequently filling in as battalion chief.
In the 1990’s, Doug served as Vice President of the Firefighter Union Local 2175 and as the fourth district representative with the Washington State Council of Firefighters.
After 24 years of service in the field, Doug promoted to Deputy Chief in 2004 and will now serve as fire chief.
His hobbies include snow skiing, outdoor activities and traveling with his wife.  NAME:Dennis LawsonPOSITION:Battalion ChiefYEARS OF SERVICE:26PERSONAL:Married, 1 son & 1 daughter
Dennis started his pursuit as a fire fighter while serving as a resident fire fighter in Federal Way, Washington. After two years of testing, he was hired by the City of Puyallup on May 11, 1987. After his probationary period he, along with other members, became very active in the creation of the Puyallup Special Operations and the Hazardous Material Response Teams. During this same time frame he began preparing for his future promotional testing.
Dennis was promoted to the position of Captain in 1992, where he worked until the year 2000 when he then, accepted the position to Battalion Chief. During his time with the City of Puyallup he worked with the department’s administration and elected officials identifying staffing needs and station locations. Dennis became an employee with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue in 2009, after the City of Puyallup elected to merge into the fire district.
Dennis has served as an elected union leader since 1988. He’s held the positions of Secretary-Treasurer, Vice-President and President. Dennis currently represents the Chief’s bargaining unit with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue (IAFF 726). He is very active at the state level serving as a district representative for the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters for 8 years. Dennis proudly represents the fire fighter unions that fall within Mason, Kitsap and Pierce County (with the exception of Tacoma). In addition to the district representative position, he holds the position of Vice President for the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters organization. He has also been appointed to serve as a field service representative for the International Association of Fire fighters where he is assigned to assist various fire fighter unions in need of special assistance.
Dennis is a 2nd generation fire fighter. He followed his father, Dick Lawson, who worked for the Tacoma Fire Department for approximately 27 years. Dennis’ brother, Dan Lawson, is also a fire fighter for the City of Vancouver Washington, where he has worked for 12-years.
Dennis’ greatest joy comes from his family. He has been happily married to his wife (Brenda) since 1986 and they have two kids Kyle 19 and Megan 17. As a family they enjoy travelling, camping and the Seahawks. Dennis is very proud and honored to be a fire fighter and of his union work on behalf of the fire fighters and the fire service.
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