North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, officially known as Fire District 21, experienced a year of both loss and resilience in 2025.
In March, we held a line of duty death memorial for division chief Shaun Ward, who passed away after bravely fighting a job-related cancer. Chief Ward’s dedication to our community will not be forgotten. In May, we welcomed deputy fire chief Tony Melillo to help manage operations and training.
Our team saw other changes as well. Four firefighters joined us in January to fill vacancies, and firefighters McDermott and Thompson earned promotions to captain. While openings remain, budget constraints will prevent additional hiring for 2026.
Through November, we responded to 5,462 calls – nearly 70 percent for medical emergencies, 2.5 percent for fires, and the remainder for false alarms, public assistance and hazardous conditions. Notably, 30 percent of calls occur simultaneously, straining our limited resources and delaying response times.
For the third consecutive year, the district has drawn from reserves simply to maintain daily operations. As call volumes and community needs continue rising, we anticipate seeking public approval in 2026 for a levy lid lift to adequately fund the department.
Despite these challenges, bright spots remain. Our tender group continues bringing water to areas without adequate hydrants, and with new operators from Whatcom County Fire District 7, these dedicated volunteers have become a model for others countywide. We also participated in numerous community events, including the Thanksgiving Basket giveaway, Community Toy Store, Trick-or-Treating on the Berm and school visits throughout the year.
We wish you a safe and healthy New Year.
