Candidate for Fire District No. 4 Commissioner: Jerry Doughtery

Age:

Family: I have lived in Fire District 4 for over 50 yrs. My wife is a lifetime Fire District 4 resident. We have two grown children

Day Job: I retired after 30 years as a critical care Respiratory Therapist.

Relevent or Volunteer Experience: I volunteered as a District 4 firefighter and emergency medical provider, and retired after 26 years of service. I was trained by Washington State Fire Training Service as an instructor, to train District 4 personnel in EMS care when district 4 began to provide EMS services in 1987.

Profile questions (please respond in 100 words or less per answer):

Question 1: What financial or budgetary experience do you have that would assist you as a Commissioner?

I successfully co-owned an Ag machinery repair business for 8 years, where understanding budget, inventory and taxes was essential. I have been a fire commissioner since my appointment in May of 2023 where I have been involved in budgetary decisions.

Question 2: Fire stations nationwide are struggling to fill volunteer positions. Do you have any thoughts on how this could be battled in the fire district?

Filling volunteer positions has been a challenge for most fire districts for at least a couple of decades. Retention of current personnel is as important as recruitment. Providing a stable, structured and fair environment aids in the recruitment and retention of volunteers. Providing adequate training and mentoring adds to a new volunteer's confidence. We recognize our volunteers and their commitment every year.

Question 3: If two fires or other emergencies were to break out simultaneously in the district, how would you help district leadership determine appropriate and priority of response?

The role of a fire district commissioner is to set fire district policy and to provide administrative and budgetary oversight.

Operational decisions are made by the appointed command officers of the district. Myself, as well as other current commissioners, have complete faith in our officers' ability to make decisions regarding multiple responses should that become necessary. I would offer an opinion, based on my years of experience, only if it were requested.