North Whatcom Fire and Rescue hires four new firefighters

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue has hired four new career firefighters as of January 15.

The four firefighters – Patty McDermott, Jackson Sayler, Seth Meredith and Evan Maack – were hired out of a field of 50 applicants. Each made it through three rounds of rigorous interviews, before officially being selected for the department, said district fire chief Jason Van der Veen.

Van der Veen said the candidates stood out because they were recommended by their future peers.

“When we were hiring, we looked at things like are they trainable? Do they have good values and share our core values? Appreciate our culture, and do they add something to it?” he said. 

Three of the new hires – McDermott, Sayler and Maack – headed to North Bend on January 27 to begin training at the Washington State Fire Training Academy. At the academy, they will spend 13 weeks learning basic firefighting skills, such as extinguishment, strategy and tactics, ventilation and forcible entry. 

After the academy, the three will spend another year training in Whatcom County, learning more specific and refined skills, Van der Veen said. 

Meredith has already graduated from the academy and will begin as a fourth crew member until he is trained and placed on shift. 

“We’re looking forward to adding them to our family,” Van der Veen said. “They’re excited to get out there, help the community and do what they love to do.”