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Fire chief warns of staffing, access and ALS transport limits for Crystal Mountain area
Summary
Paul Sowers, chief for Pierce County Fire Districts 25 and 26, told the council that mountain fire districts rely on a mix of paid and volunteer staff, have limited apparatus and face potential wildland risk this summer; he also flagged advanced life support (ALS) transport logistics when ski patrol provides medic-level care.
Paul Sowers, fire chief for Pierce County Fire Districts 25 and 26, told the Pierce County Council on April 28 that the mountainous districts that serve Crystal Mountain and Greenwater face staffing, water‑supply and transport challenges distinct from urban departments.
Sowers, who said he started in the area in 1996 and joined the Tacoma Fire Department in 1988, described a small full‑time and volunteer staffing model. He told the council the combined districts maintain roughly 20 full‑time residents who live and volunteer locally and operate three fire stations, multiple engines, tenders, wildland apparatus…
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