On March 27th, Orting Valley Fire & Rescue Station 40 hosted an emotional reunion between Norman Allen and the first responders who saved his life after a devastating house fire last August.
In the early hours of August 15, 2024, flames engulfed Norman’s home while he slept. ...Neighbors spotted the fire at 1:26 am and called 911. Within minutes, firefighters from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, Graham Fire & Rescue, and Orting Valley Fire & Rescue arrived, aggressively attacking the fire, and searching for victims. They found Norman unresponsive in a bedroom, quickly rescued him, and rushed him to Harborview Medical Center with severe burns and smoke inhalation.
After months of surgeries, rehabilitation, and recovery, Norman is back home with his family, grateful for the extra time he was given. The reunion at Station 40 brought together Norman, his family, and the firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs who played a role in his rescue and recovery. For the responders, hearing Norman’s story of perseverance and strength was a powerful reminder of why they train tirelessly for moments like this.
Not every call has a good outcome, but this one does. Reuniting with Norman and seeing his resilience is the greatest validation of our service.
While Norman’s recovery journey continues, he faces it with an unshakable Marine spirit—bolstered by the support of his family, friends, and the first responders who saved his life.
We are currently hiring for a Public Educator position. If you are organized, detail-oriented, work well in collaborative environments, and are passionate about fire safety education, this job could be the perfect fit! 
Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree in Education
... A minimum of 3 years of experience as an educator
Salary: $81,132 - $98,184 annually
100% employer-paid medical and dental premiums for employee and their families
Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
PERS 2 or 3 retirement through WA State
457 Retirement Plan employer contributions
Hiring Timeline:
Application period: April 1st – 15th (closes at 12 p.m.)
Assessment Center: April 30th
Chief’s Interview: May 8th
Background: May 2025
Estimated Start Date: June 23, 2025
Apply now by clicking the link in our bio.
Interested in this career? Join Us for a Live Q & A Session on April 7th at 3 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87936782300?pwd=SpP8P13FULaJOGFbT0i9OtS7eBL0lj.1
Meeting ID: 879 3678 2300
Passcode: 525165
We are currently hiring for a Public Educator position. If you are organized, detail-oriented, work well in collaborative environments, and are passionate about fire safety education, this job could be the perfect fit!
Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree in Education
... A minimum of 3 years of experience as an educator
Salary: $81,132 - $98,184 annually
100% employer-paid medical and dental premiums for employee and their families
Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
PERS 2 or 3 retirement through WA State
457 Retirement Plan employer contributions
Hiring Timeline:
Application period: April 1st – 15th (closes at 12 p.m.)
Assessment Center: April 30th
Chief’s Interview: May 8th
Background: May 2025
Estimated Start Date: June 23, 2025
Apply at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cpfirewa
Interested in this career? Join Us for a Live Q & A Session on April 7th at 3 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87936782300?pwd=SpP8P13FULaJOGFbT0i9OtS7eBL0lj.1
Meeting ID: 879 3678 2300
Passcode: 525165
We’ve made some changes to our sirens’ sound—have you had a chance to hear them as we make our way downtown? 
Join us tomorrow afternoon, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM for a Virtual Community Meeting to discuss how your fire districts are collaborating to better serve our communities. Our Fire Chief will share insights on how this partnership is enhancing services and will be available to answer your ...questions.
Click the Zoom link below to join the virtual meeting:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pF_A0fHoSJaekWHxfpdqvw?fbclid=IwY2xjawJXgExleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdPV...
Last night, crews were dispatched to a house fire in the 8500 block of 121st St E in South Hill. The call was dispatched at 10:34 pm with first units arriving on-scene at 10:40 pm. Firefighters quickly began fire suppression and search efforts. The fire was under control by 11:16 pm. Unfortunately,... despite our quick actions, this incident resulted in a fatality.
The home was a total loss. The cause is under investigation by CPFR Deputy Fire Marshals and the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Last night, crews were dispatched to a house fire in the 8500 block of 121st St E in South Hill. The call was dispatched at 10:34 pm with first units arriving on-scene at 10:40 pm. Firefighters quickly began fire suppression and search efforts. The fire was under control by 11:16 pm. Unfortunately,... despite our quick actions, this incident resulted in a fatality.
The home was a total loss. The cause is under investigation by CPFR Deputy Fire Marshals and the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s Office.
We are excited to announce and honor the retirement of Fire Commissioner Rich Coleman after 50 years of dedicated service.
Rich started as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Midland Fire Department in 1972, where he provided loyal service to the community by responding to incidents day and ...night. Rich became a Fire Commissioner in 1993 and served on the Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Board of Fire Commissioners until March 8th.
Away from the Fire Service, Rich worked for the Elmhurst Mutual Power & Light Company from 1977 until 2012. Rich was also known to take second jobs to make sure he could put his kids through college, allowing them to achieve their dreams.
Rich also served as a Commissioner for Pierce County Drainage District #14 for many years, managing the district's administrative efforts and ensuring ditches were maintained and functioning at all times.
Rich earned a degree from Bates Technical College as an electrician in the early 1970s, leading him to his professional career with the power company.
We want to thank Rich and his fantastic family for their copious contributions to our organization and the communities Rich served.
Rich will remain in the Midland area, so don't be surprised to see him more often now that he has some additional free time on his hands.
We are excited to announce and honor the retirement of Fire Commissioner Rich Coleman after 50 years of dedicated service.
Rich started as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Midland Fire Department in 1972, where he provided loyal service to the community by responding to incidents day and ...night. Rich became a Fire Commissioner in 1993 and served on the Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Board of Fire Commissioners until March 8th.
Away from the Fire Service, Rich worked for the Elmhurst Mutual Power & Light Company from 1977 until 2012. Rich was also known to take second jobs to make sure he could put his kids through college, allowing them to achieve their dreams.
Rich also served as a Commissioner for Pierce County Drainage District #14 for many years, managing the district's administrative efforts and ensuring ditches were maintained and functioning at all times.
Rich earned a degree from Bates Technical College as an electrician in the early 1970s, leading him to his professional career with the power company.
We want to thank Rich and his fantastic family for their copious contributions to our organization and the communities Rich served.
Rich will remain in the Midland area, so don't be surprised to see him more often now that he has some additional free time on his hands.
A huge thank you to our incredible community for joining us at our Station 40 Open House this past Saturday! We are grateful to serve such a supportive and engaged community and loved the opportunity to showcase what our fire district has to offer. We hope you had as much fun as we did!
...Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including learning about crime prevention and fingerprinting, participating in hands-on CPR training, touring our apparatus and station, featuring our new Engine 40, tackling the combat challenge, and enjoying delicious food and drinks.
A big thank you to our partners from across Pierce County for their contributions to making this memorable day possible! 
@redcrossnorthwest | @officialsouthsound911 | @piercesheriff | @starvinmarvinfoodtrucks | @wanderingcowgirlcoffee
Firefighters and paramedics from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, Graham Fire & Rescue, and Orting Valley Fire & Rescue respond to an average of 131 emergency calls per day. From medical calls to house fires, we’re here 24/7 to protect lives and save property. Here’s a quick look at a ...few of the calls we responded to over the last week:
03/20/25 at 8:46 AM
Duplex Fire
Crews were dispatched to reports of a structure fire in the 500 block of 127th St S in Parkland. On arrival, crews pulled lines for fire attack and searched the residence for possible occupants. No injuries reported. Both units within the structure were deemed a total loss. The Pierce County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.
03/21/25 at 8:28 PM
House Fire with Entrapment
Crews were dispatched to reports of a house fire with a trapped occupant in the 15700 block of 82nd Ave E in Puyallup. On arrival, crews pulled lines for attack and immediately began searching for the trapped occupant. The occupant was found in a hallway and was taken out of the house via a window. The occupant was transported to the hospital, but sadly, succumbed to their injuries. The Pierce County Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause.
03/26/25 @11:36 PM
House Fire
Crew were dispatched to reports of a house fire in the 10900 block of 62nd St E in Puyallup. On arrival, crews pulled lines for fire attack and searched for occupants. Fortunately, the occupant was able to escape the home but was transported to local hospital for evaluation. CPFR Deputy Fire Marshals and Pierce County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause.
03/23/25 at 12:55 PM
Water Rescue
Crews responded alongside East Pierce Fire & Rescue to reports stating a person and their dog had fallen down a steep ravine into the Carbon River in the 23600 block of State Route 165 E in Carbonado. On arrival, it was quickly identified that search and rescue efforts would require a high angle rope system. Both CPFR, EPFR, and PCSO worked together to assemble the rescue system to search for the fallen victim. The victim’s dog was located and brought up with technicians via the rope system. After extensive search efforts, the victim's body was recovered this morning.
03/26/25 at 4:34 PM
Water Rescue
Crews were dispatched to reports of a person in the river in the 700 block of Main St E in Puyallup. On arrival, crews found a person clinging to log in the middle of the river. Crews quickly threw a rope to the individual, who was able to grab the rope allowing crews to pull them safely to shore. Once onshore, the person was treated and transported to the hospital. Thank you, East Pierce Fire & Rescue, for assisting.
A huge thank you to our incredible community for joining us at our Station 40 Open House this past Saturday! We are grateful to serve such a supportive and engaged community and loved the opportunity to showcase what our fire district has to offer. We hope you had as much fun as we did!
...Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including learning about crime prevention and fingerprinting, participating in hands-on CPR training, touring our apparatus and station, featuring our new Engine 40, tackling the combat challenge, and enjoying delicious food and drinks.
A big thank you to our partners from across Pierce County for their contributions to making this memorable day possible!
American Red Cross | South Sound 911 | Pierce County Sheriff's Department | Starvin Marvin’s Food Truck | Wandering Cowgirl Coffee
We are incredibly grateful to @firehousesubsfoundation and our local @firehousesubs restaurant in Lakewood, for awarding us a $25,115 grant to increase our lifesaving capabilities! With these funds, we can purchase six Industrial self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), allowing us to equip ...our Fire Investigators with the highest level of respiratory protection while they actively work on-scene. These more compact SCBAs provide the incredible benefit of reducing fatigue without compromising safety and personal protection.
We are incredibly grateful to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs restaurant in Lakewood, for awarding us a $25,115 grant to increase our lifesaving capabilities! With these funds, we can purchase six Industrial self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), allowing... us to equip our Fire Investigators with the highest level of respiratory protection while they actively work on-scene. These more compact SCBAs provide the incredible benefit of reducing fatigue without compromising safety and personal protection.
Personnel from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, Graham Fire & Rescue, Orting Valley Fire & Rescue, Bothell Fire Department, and Washington State Department of Natural Resources will be conducting wildfire training in the Crystal Ridge and Wildwood Park communities on Thursday, March 27 ...from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Our objective is to assess the wildland urban interface risk and develop plans for fire response. Community members can expect to see various fire district vehicles and uniformed personnel assessing the green belts, parks, and other forested areas within these communities.
Personnel from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, Graham Fire & Rescue, Orting Valley Fire & Rescue, Bothell Fire Department, and Washington State Department of Natural Resources will be conducting wildfire training in the Crystal Ridge and Wildwood Park communities on Thursday, March 27 ...from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Our objective is to assess the wildland urban interface risk and develop plans for fire response. Community members can expect to see various fire district vehicles and uniformed personnel assessing the green belts, parks, and other forested areas within these communities.