Puget Sound Fire
Peer Support Team (Alphabetical by Last Name)
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Bob Backstein
Puget Sound Fire |
I have been an engineer in the fire service for 30 years and have been a hazmat team member for several years. I enjoy waterskiing, riding trail bikes and on my free time I enjoy designing house plans. I have 5 kids and enjoy spending time with my family. I have a special needs child and understand challenges associated with special needs family members. Call me anytime.
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Jim Blatt
Puget Sound Fire |
My name is Jim Blatt. I have worked for Puget Sound Fire for 12 years and have been in the fire service for 18 years. I have an amazing wife and two great boys ages 11 and 9. I am an assistant hockey coach for my boys and enjoy riding my Harley. Please feel free to give me a call anytime
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Ryan Butler
Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety |
I have been with the Maple Valley Fire Department since 2005 and currently work as a firefighter at Station 81. I am on the special ops team as a rope and swift water tech and am also a rescue swimmer. I'm married, no kids, 2 dogs, and I live on the east side of the hill in Leavenworth.
In the winter I like back country skiing and have been learning to snowmobile and I ice climb a bit. When its warmer outside I mainly climb rocks and ride mountain bikes. I'm new to the peer support group and am happy to talk if any of you ever have the need, or just want to go do fun stuff outside. |
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Abel Craft
Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety |
I first got hired in 1983 I worked for Bangor until 1992 when I was hired at Maple Valley. I use to be semi- athletic played a lot of softball and basketball. Played basketball at three different FF Olympics, rarely won but had fun. Decided about 15 years ago I needed to come up with a safer sport so I have been golfing, still no good but most of the time I am having fun and I think this will be the year that I finally do not play any softball. It took me ten years longer than I thought it would to wean myself off of softball. I enjoy hiking, I have been to the top of Mt. Rainer, with help from co-workers.
I have been married for 30 plus years I have 2 adult children, I live on a little acreage in Gig Harbor and my wife believes the more animals the better, 3 dogs, 4 cats, 14 chickens and counting. I love being a firefighter and strongly believe in volunteering in the community. |
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Drew Erickson
Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety |
I started off in Air Force Fire Protection in 1995 and then worked for McChord, Fort Lewis, then Maple Valley starting in 2000. I live in Maple Valley with my wonderful wife Heather, and two great kids, Andy (12) and Will (8). I pride myself and career on taking care of others first, work ethic, and having fun. I enjoy all outdoor activities - especially snowmobiling, flyfishing, and hiking. Only 14 years left to finish making an impact in the fire service……
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David Frazier
Puget Sound Fire |
I’ve been a firefighter since 2008 and currently serve on the HazMat team. I’m married. My wife and I have five grown kids, three of which are adopted. I live and play in eastern Washington near Leavenworth. I’m always happy to talk about the ups and downs of life and the work we do.
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Steve Galassi
Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety |
My name is Steve Galassi and I have been with Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety as a Firefighter for the past 16 years. I am honored to serve the citizens of Maple Valley and I am also honored to serve as a Peer Support Counselor for my department. A little about me, I received my B.A. in Sociology from Washington State University in 1998. I am married with two rambunctious little girls and live in Maple Valley. In my free time, I enjoy steelhead fishing, golf, swimming, and playing ice hockey with my fellow firefighter colleagues. GO COUGS!!!
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Ken Goll
Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety |
A little about me. I started out as a Kent Volunteer in 1996 and participated in the program till 2002 when it ended. I came out to Maple Valley to continue my Firefighter career path and to continue volunteering until I landed a job. In 2005 I was hired as our first Fire Inspector/Public Educator. In 2007 I was then hired for suppression as a line Firefighter. I guess they figured out that I wasn’t going away so they might as well give me a job.
I’m an old new guy I guess. I am 47, married and live in Graham, wa. I have a 5 year old daughter that seems to be already smarter than me and I also have 3 step children. I am really excited to participate in our peer to peer support program! I have needed and used it in the past. I really believe that folks that do not work in our field sometimes struggle to understand what it is like. We in general have stressors and and exposures that only we understand. I strive to be available and understanding to any brothers or sisters who may need it. Don’t ever hesitate to call. Respectfully, Kenny G |
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Greg Johnson
Puget Sound Fire |
Hi, my name is Greg. I have been with Puget Sound Fire since 1989 and am assigned to Ladder 74. I followed in the footsteps of my father and grandfather becoming a 3rd generation firefighter. I grew up in Kent and have stayed in the area, living in Maple Valley. In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors mountain biking, dirt biking, cruising the back roads on my street bike, or just hanging out at our cabin in Cle Elum. I’m always available, feel free to give me a call.
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Brian Keaveny
Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety |
I have been a member of MVFLS since 2011 as a volunteer firefighter and June 2014 as a career firefighter, I am also a member of the department’s Swift Water and Technical Ropes teams as well as a rescue swimmer. I live in Seattle with my wife, Carly and my strong willed daughter, Aevlan. Away from the job, I enjoy water sports and personal fitness. I welcome your call if you’re in need of an open ear.
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John Madden
Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety |
I have served 33 years in the fire service and like so many of you, a couple were as a volunteer. Most have been with Maple Valley Fire. I have been a fire officer since 1995. I have managed our public fire education program, Juvenile Fire Stoppers Program and the purchasing of everything from defibrillators to toilet brushes. I have been a Union president… twice and served in the training division… twice… and I still love my job! I have a wife who is a Speech Therapist for the Kent School District and two grown kids.
I have had a fascination with fast machines and the engineering that goes into creating them for as long as I can remember. I’m a gearhead. I’ve made a point of visiting as many different types of motorsport events as possible over the years. I have a company that provides on-site fire/rescue services to speedways and off-road rally racing venues in the Pacific Northwest. Until you have stood between to two 10,000 horsepower Top Fuel dragsters and felt them detonate to 330 MPH in 3.8 seconds, something has been missing from your life. It’s really fuzzy to watch, then you realize your eyeballs are bouncing around uncontrollably in their sockets. So Fun! The fire service is a great job. It’s also a tough job that can be physically and psychologically demanding. Sometimes, a fire fighter’s perspective is a hard to share with a family member. When needed, I encourage you to take the opportunity the Peer Support Program offers to seek an understanding ear of someone who has shared like experiences. We can just listen or help point you in a healthier direction. The Zone has great people that are ready to support our brothers and sisters. Or you can just go stand next to a dragster. It puts a lot of things into perspective. |
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Jonathan Miller
Puget Sound Fire |
“I was hired in 2014. I’m currently working on E45 in SeaTac. I’ve been married for 10 years to my incredible wife (Mollie) and we have 5 beautiful kids (Genesis, Coba, Selah, Miesha, and Lazarus). I enjoy staying active, playing sports, hiking, paddle boarding, and spending time with the fam. I’m excited to be a part of the peer support team and hope to walk beside some of you that need someone to listen. “
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Meade Scarduzio
Puget Sound Fire |
My name is Meade Scarduzio. I was fortunate enough to begin my career with Puget Sound Fire December 1, 2015. I was in the military for approx. 9 years prior and I have assisted in similar programs while serving. I am married to my wife, Lane, and we have two beautiful girls, Emery and Teagen. I see it as being an honor to be able to help in any capacity that I can, so please feel free to give me a call.
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Mike Seery
Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety |
I have been working for Maple Valley Fire for 14 years. I am married and have 2 kids age 9 and 12 years old. I like to exercise and I also teach EMT at North Seattle Community College. I volunteer coach for baseball and basketball. You can reach out to me anytime.
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Graham Sharman
Puget Sound Fire |
I got hired by Kent (now Puget Sound) Fire in March of 2008. I’m an engineer, a CBT instructor, and I’ve spent a few years on the trucks. I live in Seattle with my lovely wife, sharp stepson, and our old black cat. I enjoy reading, playing soccer, riding my road bicycle, and being supine. I’m excited to be a part of the Peer Support Team. Feel free to call or email me.
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Joel Willits
Puget Sound Fire |
My name is Joel Willits and I was hired by Kent Fire Department in 2011. I’m currently a firefighter downtown at Station 71 and am also on our Local’s executive board. I have been married to my wife Lynn for 9 years and have two little girls who enjoy running me ragged. Outside of work I have played ice hockey for 25 years and love playing all sports, as well as fishing and hunting. Nearly my entire family is in the fire service and I have seen firsthand the stresses that our chosen career can have on ourselves and our loved ones. Please feel free to call me anytime!
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