Peer Support
Peer support team members are not counselors but are covered by confidentiality and privileged communication per RCW 5.60.060.
Meet the
Valley Regional Fire Authority Peer Support Team
Uniform personnel
shawn miller
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Hello, I’m Shawn. I’ve been with Auburn Fire and the VRFA since 2006. I have worked in a variety of programs, including a position as Medical Program Specialist, and find myself currently a member of the wild land team. I am married and have two children, age 19 and 16. In my off time I enjoy doing most things that get me outdoors. I joined the fire service to help others but joined this team to help us. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk. I would like to help. |
aaron Martin
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I’ve been in the fire service since 2008. Prior to hiring on with the VRFA in 2012, I volunteered at a couple departments and worked for an ambulance company. Currently I work at Station 31 - we run an Engine, Ladder, and an Aid Car. Outside of work, I love spending time with my friends and family. I really enjoy weightlifting, powerlifting, yoga, reading, hiking, learning new languages, coffee, and listening to tons of music from 90s alternative to Zydeco! My wife and I live in the Renton area with our daughter. We met in college at CWU, have been together for over 15 years and married since 2009. Mental wellness goes hand in hand with a happy home life and a long successful career. We owe it to our families, coworkers, and to ourselves to take care of each other and be the best we can be. |
johan friis
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Hey Friends - Johan here. Some people call me Butch. Most of you know being a Cougar builds character, tolerance, and perseverance. Most importantly, WSU taught me to stick with it and be there for others. I started as a volunteer with East Pierce Fire & Rescue in 2007 and was hired by VRFA in 2010. I love building relationships in the fire service and I love hearing people's stories. My wife Rae and I live in Sumner with our 5 kids. We met at WSU where we started our family with our 1st 2 children and then we moved back to the West side in 2006. Together we coach youth sports teams, run a home business, and celebrate our community. I'm filled with gratitude and it's an honor to be a part of this program. Please feel free to reach out anytime. I've gone through many of my own struggles through life and I wouldn't be where I am today without the support of those around me, just talking about it makes a huge difference! |
stephen sparks
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Born and raised in the Lake Tapps area. I attended PLU where I earned degrees in Biology and Psychology. After college I owned and operated my own business, worked in retail, and different jobs in sales. Not finding any passion in those pursuits, I began volunteering with a local fire department. I was hired by the VRFA in 2009 and finally feel at home. I have always had a passion for helping others and take great pride in being the type of person my peers turn to and rely on. If you ever feel the need to talk, or just want someone willing to listen, please contact me. |
JEREMIAH MUSHEN
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I grew up in Seattle, graduated from WWU, have an identical twin and two younger brothers. My wife (Annemarie) and I were married while I was in fire academy (2006), and we have three boys (Hudson, Sawyer, Max). I enjoy leading a large Cub Scout Pack, and racing marathons and triathlons.
As a Peer Support Team Member, I feel my strength is relating to families dealing with mental health crises. I’ve utilized our Employee Assistance Program at a critical time, which allowed me to reach positive outcomes for my family. |
matt kinnee
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I have been with the Valley Regional Fire Authority for 10 years. I am the Honor Guard Commander and recently bought a set of bagpipes (we will see how this goes). I am happily married to my beautiful wife Kerri and have 2 young boys Carter and Ryan. I spent 5 years on our Local’s Executive Board. I love spending time with my family at home, on the road for a play date or traveling to sunny places. I am happy to be someone you can reach out to. Please give me a call or shoot me an email. |
NORM GOLDEN
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I was hired in 1992 with the City of Auburn Fire Department which is now Valley Regional Fire Authority. I was promoted to Captain in 1999, promoted to Fire Marshal in 2012, and escaped back to Captain in 2017. I have a side-job as an attorney representing first responders in legal matters, and am the pro bono counsel for Safe Call Now. I am happy to talk anytime, and have benefitted from sharing experiences with other first responders. All our communications are confidential. I’m married with two kids and live in West Seattle. I also like to meet for coffee if talking on the phone is not ideal. |
DAVE DEVRIES
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Hey I’m David, I have been in the Fire Service since I was 18 years old. Currently, I am part of our Technical Rescue Team at VRFA. My wonderful wife is a nurse, we live in Skagit County, and we just had our first child in December 2017. Our daughter is amazing; it is awesome being a father. In my time off I enjoy anything outdoors, hiking, hunting, boating, crabbing, camping, riding quads and working on our property. If you ever need to talk or grab a beer I am here to listen and help. The peer support system is a crucial need in the Fire Service. I am excited to be part of this cultural change. We do an excellent job of helping others in the community, its time we start helping our fire service FAMILY!!! |
ERIKA BARTLETT
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I live in the Shoreline area with my husband and our two dachshunds. I was hired by the VRFA in 2012 and am involved with peer support because I’ve found managing mental health to be just as important as managing physical health (in this job and in my life.) I’m interested in the mind and exploring how experiences directly influence our mental states, and the freedom that comes from a better understanding of that relationship. I’m also a hospice volunteer and enjoy piano, martial arts, and meditation. Contact me anytime. |
LANDO ALVARADO
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I began my career in Auburn in January 2000. As we all have experienced, time has flown by. I’ve been married since 2003. We have four beautiful children, two boys and two girls. We live in Seattle in the Capitol Hill area. When not at work, I stay busy with coaching my kids’ sports teams and non-stop projects around the house. In my fire service career, I’ve been involved as a Medical Specialist team member and am currently on our technical rescue team. As a peer support member I’m available to be contacted at any time. |
ROB ALLEN
civilian personnel
Carrie Talamaivao
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I'm Carrie, a social worker for your Fire Department. As a social worker, wife and mother of 3, I am a professional listener. I don't pretend to have all the answers to life's challenges, but I do love to listen and support people in whatever they are going through. I commend you for reading this and taking the first step in your mental wellness, talking. |
RETIREES
doug darmody
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I have been involved with the fire service since the early 80’s, recently retiring as a Captain after 32 years. During my career, I served in many leadership and mentorship roles. I have always had a passion for helping other firefighters balance their lives in the face of the traumas we see every day. The demands of our profession can be overwhelming: long shifts, lack of sleep and the stress of always needing “to be on your A game.” All of us struggle with these challenges from time to time. The goal is to get through our careers emotionally and physically intact, so we can enjoy our family and friends. I am available to meet, or just give me a call. |
david cook
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Hello, I am David Cook, retired Fire Fighter. I retired from the fire service in June of 2014 after working for the Auburn Fire Department - Valley Regional Fire Authority for 35 years.
I was lucky to know very early on I wanted to pursue a career in the fire service. In 1972 at age of 17 while a junior at Auburn High School I became a volunteer Fire Fighter with King County Fire District #44. Soon after high school I continued my pursuit of a career in the fire service as a Fire Fighter Specialist in the United States Air Force, serving six years. Though I left the fire service in 2014 I have learned the fire service will always remain a part of me. I have many fond memories of my time and experiences in the fire service - it has been a very rewarding life. And I also recognize now the many ways the fire service impacted me, physically and emotionally. There is no half-life for the physical and emotional tolls that you carry forward; they are part of who you are, they are the reality of your life. That is why it is vitally important to practice a healthy lifestyle to understand the impacts the job has imparted on you. Unlike my time as a Fire Fighter, I am not here to solve a problem, I am not here to fix something, but I am here to listen, to simply hear what you are experiencing. |