WCFD celebrates moms in the fire service

By Rachel Carlson

Rachel Carlson is chief of Whatcom County Fire District No. 1, which serves Everson, Nooksack, Deming and the Nooksack Indian Tribe.

WHATCOM — The fire service has been a second family to my children and me for the past 11 years and I remain grateful for the fantastic people with whom we are privileged to work.

This Mother’s Day, Whatcom County Fire District wants to express our thanks to the moms who bring passion and dedication to the fire service in Whatcom County.

Thank you, moms, for all you do in dispatch, our administration offices, our peer support groups, and all the moms who respond to our communities’ calls for service.

Amy Anderson

Motherhood prepared me for this challenging career in fire and EMS with South Whatcom Fire Authority.

It’s an honour and a privilege to provide comfort and care to those in need in my community.

The reward is knowing you helped someone through their hardest moments.

Justina Bass

Hello, I’m Justina Bass. I’ve been a volunteer EMT/FF with Whatcom County Fire District No. 16 for 11 Years.

I have three grown sons, two of which are also volunteers with District No. 16 along with my husband.

Brittney Nick: I feel like a mother’s touch in EMS is such a valuable tool. I love caretaking for my patients so much that I am continuing my education and am on the path to becoming a paramedic.

I also have two daughters-inlaw and three grandchildren.

I started volunteering when my oldest son was a sophomore in high school, in 2014 he became a student volunteer and then in 2017 my youngest son and husband became volunteers.

I became a volunteer after talking to some other women who were also volunteers on other departments in Whatcom County.

I have always had an interest in emergency medicine, and it seemed like a good way to help in my local community.

Since that time my passion for Fire and EMS has grown personally and professionally.

I recently left my previous job and now am a part-time employee for the district.

I love being able to be out helping and teaching in my community and setting an example for other women to follow their interests because you never know where they may lead you.

Renee Brennan

Being a fire/EMS dispatcher for Whatcom County gives me the opportunity to be a servant to those in my community while providing a deep amount of satisfaction and personal fulfillment in my life.

Not only do the tasks of this position challenge me, but my ability to empathize, encourage and come alongside others in need, develops more each day.

I am thankful for an amazing community of First Responders and hope to be working with them for many years to come.

Kim Cook

My name is Kim Cook, and I have served as a volunteer at

District 16 in the Acme Valley for 27 years. My father started as a volunteer and served 35 years on the department, which inspired me to volunteer shortly after graduating high school.

I earned my EMT certification in 1998 and graduated with a fire science degree from Skagit Valley College in 1999. I have served in many roles at District 16, but I am current working as a Division Chief in EMS.

During my time as a volunteer, my husband and I raised four daughters, two of which who are currently following in the family tradition of volunteer firefighting.

I feel so fulfilled by helping those in need, and I am proud that I have been an inspiration to my daughters.

Lisa DeKoster

Firefighting has been in my family since I was 5 years old, so you could say that it’s in my blood. For years I’ve watched my dad and uncles help others and I knew that I wanted to do that one day also. I love being able to lend a hand to others or be there to comfort and help those in need. Lisa DeKoster is with Whatcom County Fire District No. 14.

Kassie Harkness

My name is Kassie Harkness, I am 35 years young, and I am a volunteer firefighter for Whatcom County Fire District No. 16.

My uncle was a career firefighter/medic for the city of Marysville and as a little girl I had dreams of following in his footsteps. Life had different plans for me though.

I met my husband when I was 16, got married and had our first daughter when I was 22. We now have three beautiful girls, ages 13, 10 and 6. When my youngest was 1, I decided it was time to get back to my calling. I love helping people and what better way to give back to your community than to be there when they need you the most.

So I joined the fire department here in Acme and decided to further my education and became an EMT. I am now a lieutenant and recently joined the EMS council.

As a mother of very busy, active kids and a secretary of my husband’s company I am asked why I do what I do. Here is the reason, aside from being my kids mother as a purpose in life this gives me purpose in life.

Megan MacPhee

Working as a fire/EMS dispatcher has been an incredible blessing. I have the privilege of being a lifeline for those in need. I enjoy working in a team environment with co-workers that feel like family while providing a fulfilling service to our communities and first responders.

I feel blessed my children have been brought up around so many first responders including myself, my husband, as well as countless family and friends. I am so appreciative of this opportunity I have been given to serve a community we care so much about, that we also call home.

Brittney Nick

Kassie Harkness: My uncle was a career firefighter/medic for the city of Marysville and as a little girl I had dreams of following in his footsteps. Life had different plans for me though.

From a young age, I was always a caretaker. From being the oldest child of a single mom of three, to team captain in high school sports to my various friend groups over the years. I always knew I wanted to be a mom and luckily, I got the opportunity to marry my high school sweetheart and make that a reality.

I now have two beautiful children, 12-year-old Jaeger and 13-year-old Taylor, and that urge to caretake them and beyond hasn’t gone away. It feels more important now than ever now that I know the impact that a mother can have on kids.

Amy Anderson: Motherhood prepared me for this challenging career in fire and EMS with South Whatcom Fire Authority. It’s an honour and a privilege to provide comfort and care to those in need in my community.

Once my kids were older, I was on the path to becoming a nurse, but a family tragedy lead me down the path of being a firefighter/EMT with South Whatcom Fire Authority and I know it’s what I was put here on this earth for.

I feel like I have a mother’s touch when it come to my patients. On their worst day, I am my patients safe place and their personal caretaker during an emergency.

Calling 911 is rarely done on a good day. I have been known to tell my patients that while they are in my care, they are a part of my family. I will treat them with the care and love that I treat my own children.

I have held my patients’ hands to warm them, absorbed tears into my uniform top through a hug, snuggled patients into blankets, and played Batman with kids while their mom was being evaluated.

I feel like a mother’s touch in EMS is such a valuable tool. I love caretaking for my patients so much that I am continuing my education and am on the path to becoming a paramedic.

Why I serve is about my patients. When you are experiencing an emergency, who would you rather have on scene comforting you than your mom, even if it’s a borrowed one?

I am humbled and honored to serve my community and be that loving, warm hand on potentially their worst day. Thank you.

Heather Ripke-Olson

John Wesley once said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, at all the times you can, as long as ever you can.” Heather RipkeOlson is with Whatcom County Fire District No. 14.