Ocean Shores fire chief: busiest year yet, new equipment and cadet program

Fire Chief Brian Ritter told attendees the fire department ran 3,016 calls last year and transported 886 people to hospitals. He listed six working structure fires last year (one fatality), three chimney fires, three mobile-home fires, one motor-home fire and five dune-grass fires.

The department replaced all self-contained breathing apparatus and masks, added a compressor and purchased IV pumps for paramedic units to improve hospital transfers. Ritter said a new ambulance is being manufactured and expected to be delivered in October. The department also increased part-paid/volunteer staff from four to eight and is supporting members through expanded chaplain services and closer coordination with regional partners.

Ritter said the city achieved an improved statewide fire rating of 5 for the whole city (previously 9 in the South End) and that staff are working to lower it further to a 4, which could affect homeowner insurance premiums. He described a new cadet program that brings youth from across the county for training and said the city will host a countywide active-shooter drill in 2027.

Ritter emphasized interagency cooperation, citing shared training and a regional study on fire authority consolidation.