My name is Lee Bauder I am a recruit here at SVFD. I have wanted to be a firefighter for ten years. When I found out that I could do the things that I liked to as well as serve the public and provide for my wife and kids all at the same time I was hooked. That s when I started to pursue a career as a firefighter first as a resident with Fire District 8 and then with the Military serving in the Reserves as a firefighter. I finished my degree in Fire Science and started looking locally to serve my community. After a long testing process and a few interviews here I am hoping to serve Spokane Valley for as long as I can.
My name is Jared Bradford. I was born and raised in Spokane and have been living in the Spokane Valley for the past thirteen years with my beautiful wife and three amazing children. For the past fourteen years, I worked for a large aerospace company making carbon breaks for many different types of aircraft. I have been an EMT for eleven years and was a member of the Ropes/Rescue Team. I have always felt like my calling was in the fire service. I am so thankful and appreciative for this incredible opportunity and look forward to serving our community with the Spokane Valley Fire Department.
Hi my name is Garrett Camarota and I was born and raised in San Jose, California. I moved to the Spokane area for school and graduated with a degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology from Whitworth University. While I was at Whitworth I started volunteering at several local Fire and EMS organizations and served as a resident firefighter at Fire District 9. I spent time after college obtaining my Paramedic Certification and working in that capacity at a small and isolated community in East Texas. In my time away from work I enjoy fishing, golfing, rock climbing and camping. I am very excited to learn and grow to serve the citizens of Spokane Valley for the next year and work hard to earn a long and eventful career at the Spokane Valley Fire Department.
I was born and raised in Post Falls, Idaho and graduated from Post Falls High School in 2012. In the fall of 2012, I started my first year at Spokane Community College. I graduated in 2014, earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Science Technology. During the summers of 2013 and 2014, I had the pleasure of working for the Idaho Department of Lands as a Wildland Firefighter. In August of 2014, I was hired by Shoshone County Fire District #2. I continued my employment there until I was hired by the Spokane Valley Fire Department. I am thrilled for this opportunity and can t wait to see what the future holds with this great organization.
My name is Joseph Connelly. I grew up in Tacoma, Washington and did my schooling in Tacoma and Bellingham. From a young age, I was heavily involved with the Boy Scouts and through it developed a love for the outdoors and adventure. This has greatly shaped my hobbies such as biking, hiking, camping, and overall fitness. It along with my family, gave me a desire to give back and serve others. This is when my desire to become a firefighter took full effect. After college, I pursued this dream and feel incredibly lucky to now be able to call it a reality. I had a lot of help along the way and can only hope to be able to help others in the same way on their journey. I am excited to be a part of the great team at the Spokane Valley Fire Department and serve this great community.
Hi my name is Chris Cwik. I attended Mead High School in North Spokane. From there I received a football scholarship to Eastern Washington University where I earned my bachelor s degree in Business and Communications. After college, I moved to Seattle and earned my EMT through North Seattle Community College. I then moved back to Spokane and attended District 9 Regional Academy and was a resident for nine months before I got hired with AMR and enrolled in Paramedic School. I worked at AMR for five years, the first three as an EMT, and the latter two as a medic. I then accepted a position with Cheney Fire where I am today. I feel very fortunate and can t wait to start a career in the Fire Service.
I am originally from Woodinville, about 20 miles northeast of Seattle. I completed my college education at Western Washington University in Bellingham. This is where I got my first emergency response position with Bellingham Mountain Rescue. My previous jobs included guiding on Mt. Rainier, working at a winery, ski patrol and retail work. I am coming to the SVFD from working for an emergency management consultant, teaching large industrial companies how to develop in house emergency response teams. These teams specialize in hazardous materials, confined space, high and low angle rope rescue and first aid. My desire to work in a position where I must strive for excellence in all that I do, as well as be part of a family that supports and challenges me, is why I chose to enter the fire service. I am very excited to be here.
I played team sports while growing up in North Bend, Washington. This experience taught me how to adapt and overcome adversity. A firefighter does this on a daily basis. We arrive on scene to find someone who is having trouble breathing, a house is on fire, or someone is trapped in their car. Firefighters spend much of their time trying to reverse these situations. As a team we strive to adapt and overcome those times of adversity. This aspect of firefighting is what drew me toward a career in the fire service.
Born and raised in Wenatchee, Washington, I really enjoy being outdoors. My hobbies include mountain biking, skiing, bow hunting and fishing. My fire service experience began as a volunteer for Chelan County Fire District 1. From there, I moved on to become a student resident at Sisters Fire Department while completing my Fire Science and Paramedic degree in Bend, Oregon. I moved to Spokane in November and worked part time at Spokane County Fire District 8 before getting hired on with the Spokane Valley Fire Department.
I grew up in Boise, Idaho and have spent the past two years as a Student Resident Firefighter with the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department while attending the University of Idaho. Being a firefighter gives you the opportunity to make a difference in your community while constantly challenging yourself mentally and physically. Becoming a career firefighter has been a dream of mine and I ve been given an amazing opportunity with SVFD.
I have wanted to be a firefighter since I was 15 and my best friend suggested I should enroll in our local Cadet program in my hometown, Vancouver, WA. Since that time I have learned that I have a passion for critical thinking, problem solving and serving my community. Using these skills has given me direction in my personal and professional life and I want nothing more than to strive to be the best person I can be both on and off duty.
My name is Ian Sutherland. I have lived most of my life in the Spokane area. My wife, Kasey and I share a love of the outdoors and spend as much time as possible exploring new trails, camping and fishing. After years of working as a carpenter, I decided to answer a higher calling in public service. I joined the fire service as a volunteer, and shortly after I knew that I wanted to make firefighting my career. The fire service has proved to be a dynamic, challenging and rewarding endeavor. I look forward to continuing in this exciting field as a Spokane Valley firefighter.
I discovered my passion for the fire service after volunteering with the Airway Heights Fire Department for the past three years. I am excited to have the opportunity to build a career with the Spokane Valley Fire Department and give back to a community that has given me so much. I live in the Perry District in Spokane with my wife Ryan. We enjoy walking our two dogs through our neighborhood.
I was born and raised in Boise, Idaho. After high school, I attended the University of Idaho for three years. During this time, I worked as a Resident Firefighter for the Moscow Fire Department. I want to be a firefighter because I want to be prepared for any situation that I can affect. Being trained as a firefighter allows me to do what I love and give back to the community.