Chief's Message
"This Fire Districts mission is to protect the community by wisely investing in Training and Education, therefore retaining our most valuable asset, The Volunteers who carry out our mission."
Russ Hobbs, Chief
On January 1, 2007 a transition occurred when Russ Hobbs was named as the first chief appointed soley 
by the Fire Commissioners. Traditionally the Fire Fighters Association nominated and voted for their choice as chief and the commissioners would affirm. Former Fire Chief Paul Blume worked hard to draft new association rules that separated the association business from fire district business. Thus a new era of doing business took hold in Kittitas County Fire and Rescue #7.
After serving as Fire Chief for four very busy years, Paul Blume chose to move into the Assistant Chief of Operations position. The amount of time required to fill the volunteer chief's position has become virtually a full time job and an experienced retired professional fire captain was choosen to continue moving the District forward as the needs of the community continue to grow.
Assistant Chief - Operations
(Paul Blume)
When asked to identify his greatest accomplishments in his tenure as fire chief, Paul Blume is quick to deflect credit and quickly provides accolades to his officers and firefighters for the significant change that occurred under his administration. "I sincerely appreciate and want to thank each of you for your commitment to the district and it's programs."
Paul's Message
We have all grown with this department and I am proud of our accomplishments and the commitment of our volunteers. I believe in "we" as a district can accomplish many tasks and goals and will continue providing quality emergency service to our families, friends and neighbors.
Take pride and safeguard what we have accomplished and challenge what we have failed to complete and strive to be true leaders in our community.
My only regret is not being able to unite the Upper County fire deparments into operating together as one resource, something I truly believe is the future for all emergency services in order to retain, recruit and encourage volunteer participation while maintaining efficient, fluid and productive services to our community.
District Accomplishments under Chief Blume 2003 thru 2006:
EMS Program |
Vehicle Extrication Program & Equipment |
Shoreline Rescue Program |
Kittitas County Fire & Rescue Website |
| Separation of Association from District |
Name Migration to Fire and Rescue |
| Hose Reel Newsletter |
Operational Agreements with District #8 |
Land Expansion Station #1 and #2 |
Annexation of Suncadia into District |
Land Expansion Lauderdale |
Annexation of Lauderdale into District |
$200,000.00+ in grants |
Annexation of Lambert RD into District |
Put into service two new class A pumpers |
Annexation of Cle Elum Ridge into District |
| Put into service two aid vehicles |
Put into service three H5S brush engines |
Developed District strategic plan including station planning, vehicle replacement and EMS development. |
Operational agreements with District #1 including inter agency engine stationed in Thorp. |
The one program I take the most satisfaction in was the development of our strategic plan. This was only accomplished due to the commitment of each of you and the individual committees which comprised the planning consortium. My hope is this document will guide the direction of the district for the next ten years and allow us to exploit our capabilities.
Thank you for all your work to make this a successful past four years.
Paul Blume
