Memo from the Chief

As we enter another wildland fire season, I want to take a moment to thank all of you—our volunteers, staff, and community members—for your continued support, commitment, and resilience. This time of year is always busy for our Fire District. For our members, it can mean long days, unpredictable calls, and demanding conditions. For our community, it can also bring stress and concern, especially with the increasing frequency and severity of fire events.

Preparedness is key—for all of us. Our team continues to train and prepare to meet the challenges of wildland fire season head-on. I encourage everyone in our community to take time to review your own home’s defensible space, evacuation plans, and emergency supplies. A little preparation now can make all the difference later.
In addition to operational readiness, our administrative team has been focused on building an even stronger organization. We’ve been working through a leadership and team development resource called The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni. The book outlines several components of a healthy organization, but one theme stands above the rest: trust.

Trust is foundational. It’s what allows our team to collaborate under pressure, make decisions quickly, and serve with unity. But trust also extends beyond the walls of our stations. We know that to serve effectively, we must continue to earn the trust of the public. That means showing up—consistently, competently, and with integrity.
We’re committed to that mission. Whether it’s through emergency response, fire prevention, public education, or simply being good neighbors—we represent the Fire District in all that we do.

Thank you for standing with us and supporting your Fire District. We’re proud to serve you.

David Durfee
Fire Chief

Call Volume - Last Quarter

Call Volume - Year to Date

Memo from the Shop
 

• We have been working diligently on getting the command truck build completed. Slide out dividers are completed for both the Chiefs truck and command truck. Once placed in service, it will give the command officer much more room for manageable operation while on scene.
• New battery powered wheel lifts acquired through DNR. One of the four was damaged and in need of repair before being placed in service. These lifts will certainly be an upgrade for the shop, and we are excited to get them in service.
• The shop has been cleaned up and rearranged a bit with a new oil dispensing system and a new storage rack therefore clearing some floor space and reducing clutter.
• 3134, the OshKosh MK 30 needs a new steering box, which has been ordered and should be arriving shortly. This recently constructed truck has been a great addition to the fleet and should greatly enhance our wildland firefighting abilities for 2025 and beyond.
• Rescue truck completion is scheduled for the first of May. We are working on lining up a crew for inspection and transportation. The intent is to drive it home from Mississippi to break it in properly. This apparatus will give us more room for equipment and should be a reliable asset for years to come. The current rescue 3141 Ford F-550 is 22 years old and maybe responds to more calls than any other apparatus.
• Annual services are continuing despite all the projects that are lined up for the year.
• Our Resident firefighters and paid staff have been doing a great job keeping apparatus clean and ready to respond to emergencies. It is a continuing challenge to keep them in the ready state but thanks to daily truck and equipment checks, and daily detailing schedule, along with a new reporting method, these challenges have been kept to a minimum.

Jim Stucky
Mechanic

Fire & Injury Prevention Tips to Spring Into Safety!

As we head into the second quarter of the year, I’m excited for warmer weather and more time outdoors! With each new season come unique safety challenges, so here are some timely reminders to help keep you and your family safe this spring and early summer:

April: Wind Safety

Spring winds can be strong in our area.

• Secure loose items like garbage cans, patio furniture, and trampolines to prevent injury or property damage.
• Drive cautiously—keep both hands on the wheel and be prepared for sudden gusts.

May: Farm & Equipment Safety

With more activity on farms, safety is key:

• Conduct regular safety, fire & emergency training for all workers.
• Inspect and maintain equipment routinely.
• Replace missing protective shields

June: Heat Illness & Water Safety

As temperatures rise, stay proactive:

• Hydrate frequently. Water is best—aim for a 2-to-1 ratio of water to sports drinks like Gatorade to avoid excess sugar as that can also lead to sickness.
• Swim safely. Use designated swimming areas and always supervise children.
• Avoid irrigation canals.
• The water remains dangerously cold in June—limit exposure to prevent hypothermia (when body temperature drops below 95°F).

Let’s all enjoy the season safely and take time to explore the beauty of our area and state. If you have any questions or need more safety information, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Bob Horst
Assistant Chief–Fire Marshal

Welcome from the New Assistant Chief of Operations & Training

Hello everyone,

I’m absolutely thrilled to have been selected to join the Grant County Fire District 3 team as your new Assistant Chief of Operations & Training.

For those I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, allow me to introduce myself. I bring with me nearly 24 years of experience in the fire service, having proudly served Grant County Fire District 13 in nearly every role, including department Training Officer. Currently, I continue to serve GCFD13 as the Assistant Chief. Earlier in my career, I spent several seasons with the WA State DNR Helitack Crew. Alongside my fire service, I devoted over 18 years to the Ephrata Police Department, where I retired as a Sergeant after serving in various roles, including nearly a decade as a Major Crimes Detective.

Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by a passion for public service, a love of dynamic and challenging environments, and a deep belief in servant leadership. I’m honored to carry that philosophy forward here at GCFD3.

Outside of work, my world revolves around family. You’ll often find me cheering on my kids at their many activities and sporting events.

I’m genuinely excited to get to know each of you, learn from your experiences, and work together to support the continued success of GCFD3. I’m committed to fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive environment within our team. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—whether it’s to share ideas, ask questions, or just have a chat. My door is always open.

Here’s to a productive and successful year ahead!

Todd Hufman
Assistant Chief, Operations & Training

Now Offering CPR & First Aid Classes

Grant County Fire District 3 is excited to announce a brand-new service for our community—we are now an official American Heart Association (AHA) Training Site! This means we’re able to offer nationally recognized CPR and First Aid training right here in our own district.

We’ve already held our first community class, and it was a huge success! With another well-attended class under our belts, we’re thrilled to continue bringing these life-saving skills to our community.

Our Heartsaver classes are designed specifically for citizens and non-medical professionals. Whether you're a parent, teacher, coach, or just want to be prepared to help in an emergency, these classes provide essential training in how to recognize and respond to life-threatening situations—such as cardiac arrest or choking.

Classes are open to the public, and if you’re just interested in learning without needing an official certification card, attendance is completely free. If you do need a certification card for work or personal reasons, pricing information can be found on our website.

Upcoming Classes:

• June 14, 2025 (Spanish-language option available)
• July 26, 2025
   

You can view upcoming class dates and register online at www.gcfd3.net/cpr-first-aid-classes.
We’re proud to be able to provide this vital training and empower our residents to step in and help when it matters most. Whether at home, at work, or in your neighborhood, you never know when a few simple skills could save a life.

Welcome New Volunteers & Staff

Residents:
👋 Gavin Gibson
👋 Diego Salgado-Jones
👋 Ethan Thomas
👋 Destiny Marshall
👋 Logan Anderson
 

Volunteers:
👋 Jorge Rivera Vera

Career Staff:
👋 Jeff McCarty (FF/EMT)