Life Support Auction smashes 23-year record raising $700,000 in one night!

by Lyn Derrick UPPER KITTITAS COUNTY – A training tower, cardiac equipment, an emergency notification app, and firefighter behavioral health were the big stars of this year’s Life Support Dinner and Auction held at Swiftwater Cellars and Winery on Saturday, July 15.

“We’ve had a lot of generous donors over the years,” said Life Support President Cheri Marusa . “But this year’s donors truly exceeded my capacity to dream.”

That’s saying a lot since Life Support has provided 23 years of fundraising in support of improved medical, rescue, and fire response for Northern Kittitas County. In that timeframe, Life Support has added everything from multiple new fire stations and ambulances, rescue trucks and ATVs, extrication equipment and thermal imaging cameras and firefighter training opportunities – naming only a few items from a list that could easily fill several pages.

The Burn Tower Kittitas County Fire District 7 (KCFD7) asked Life Support to consider funding a $650,000 Fire Training Burn Tower. a few months ago. The District budget included $150,000 for the tower, and Life Support was already providing a $50,000 training grant. That left $450,000 to be raised for the tower. It was a big ‘ask’, even for this organization, but the objective was achieved at this year’s event.

“The reality of the generosity of our donors is overwhelming to think about,” said Marusa. “Everyone at the auction was moved by the generosity of Dave and Diane Ewing, Wes and Bernie Ward, and Roger and Cindy Jobs.”

The Ewings got the fundraising ball rolling. “I got a call from Dave, who shared that he and his wife Diane would like to start the fundraising effort with a $100,000 donation,” Marusa said. “As a retired firefighter, Dave cares deeply about advancing firefighter training. His commitment to this is unwavering.”

With that donation in hand, Marusa began making calls and writing grants. “Roger Jobs called me and asked if I was sitting down,” she said. “Roger shared that he and his wife Cindy want to contribute $175,000. Thankfully, I was sitting down.”

Wes and Bernie Ward stepped up and gave $25,000 for the training tower (and $25,000 towards cardiac equipment. Dave and Diane Ewing chipped in another $10,000. “What words can describe this unprecedented generosity,” said Marusa. “These individuals want to invest in our community and see that our firefighters have a top-notch training tower.”

With $140,000 left to raise for the tower and with grant requests not receiving approval, Life Support was looking at a fall fundraising campaign.

At the auction and dinner on July 15th, a big round of applause greeted the Ewing and Ward checks presentation.

A chair was placed on the stage for Marusa, and she was asked to hold what she believed was a $175,000 check from Roger and Cindy Jobs. “I couldn’t see the check,” Marusa said. “But I knew it was for $175,000.”

The crowd erupted in applause again. Then with a big smile, Roger Jobs turned the check around for Marusa to see. “The check was for $315,000,” she said. “That caused an earthquake in my heart. My heart was racing for joy. I was speechless. In addition to their original $175,000 donation, they had added $140,000, and the training tower was fully funded.”

Why is a Tower needed?

Every firefighter in Washington state, regardless of whether they are career or volunteer, must have live fire training every three years to operate in an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) environment. If they haven’t had this training the Incident Commander (IC) can be held civilly and criminally liable if the firefighter is injured.

This burn tower will be available for all the fire departments and districts to utilize. KCFD 7 is centrally located within the upper county and is the perfect location for the tower. This will improve the operational effectiveness, efficiency and confidence of the firefighters. It will improve their knowledge and muscle memory, thereby enhancing their safety.

“Dave and Diane Ewing, Roger and Cindy Jobs, and Wes and Bernie Ward are truly lifesavers,” said Marusa. “With their generosity, we will be able to train multiple generations of firefighters.”

[See related story – ‘Why We Donated’ – on page A8]

Justin Zipperer, KCFD 7 Commissioner, said, “I am ecstatic with the overwhelming generosity at this year’s Life Support Auction. Building a training tower is a game changer in improving our training capabilities, increasing fire department efficiency, and reducing property damage. It will help to reduce the number of injuries and possible deaths of our firefighters and civilians.”

Cardiac Equipment, Emergency Notification App, and Behavioral Healthcare for Firefighters

Proceeds from this year’s Life Support fundraiser is also providing KCFD7 cardiac care equipment in the form of Life Pack 15 and Chest Compression Units used during patient transport and prolonged CPR administration.

Additionally, the organization is funding the Kittitas County EMS Trauma Council’s initiative to partner with KITTCOM Dispatch Center for a PulsePoint Respond App Program. It’s a 911-connected app informing subscribers of emergencies in the community along with requests to help when CPR is needed nearby. PulsePoint helps create an engaged community driving a “Culture of Action.”

This is a key strategy in strengthening the ‘chain of survival’ for cardiac arrest victims. (Subscribers can also choose to be notified of other significant events and threats that may impact themselves and their families.)

Also, in partnership with Providence Swedish Community Health Initiative, Life Support will host a second Behavioral Health Course in October, with help from KC EMS Trauma Council. The course educates firefighters, EMS personnel, and their families about depression, PTSD, anxiety, addictions, and suicides. The rapidly increasing number of firefighter suicides is “jawdropping,” according to Jeff Dill, LPC and presenter.

Looking Forward

Now that people can work from anywhere with an internet connection and urban centers are becoming less safe, people are moving to micropolitan and rural areas. This brings systematic pressure to those communities to rapidly enhance their emergency services capabilities.

Each fire department and fire district builds their capability as their funding allows. From Cle Elum to Snoqualmie Pass there are seven different fire departments or districts. That leads to duplication of effort and a lack of efficiency.

Fire District 7 has worked with Kittitas County Fire District 2 (Kittitas Valley Fire Rescue) for the last four years in a consolidation contract for fire chief services. This consolidation effort has proven successful, and the two districts are looking at expanding the consolidation to include other administrative services.

Ultimately, a regional fire authority could bring all of the fire districts and fire departments together and create an improved, sustainable emergency response. However, that is the decision of each municipality and fire district.

KCFD7 and KVFR have fulltime on-duty firefighters. Each is working to enhance the response capabilities in the com- munities they serve. A consolidation by contract is a stepping stone to a future regional fire authority. RFAs have been formed in King, Pierce, Lewis, and Spokane Counties, with more under consideration in other locales.

In Conclusion

For the past two decades, Life Support has raised over $8,500,000. This year’s auction raised $700,000. Year after year, Life Support is ready and committed to these fundingraising efforts making a difference in the lives of others.

“Year after year, the community continues to donate auction items,” said Marusa, “and we very much appreciate that. Year after year, the generosity of donors is amazingfrom sponsors to attendees, everyone shares the common desire to enhance and build our emergency response services.”

Continued on page A8

Special thanks to our Life Support Volunteers, Swiftwater Cellars for their hospitality, our Event & Table Sponsors, Cashmere

Event Sponsors:

BNSF Railway

Heritage Distilling Co.

Hermanson

Suncadia

Swiftwater Cellars

Woodridge Custom Homes

Table Sponsors:

Davis Law Group

Dave & Pam Matthai

Dayna Larimer - John L. Scott

Justin & Stephanie Zipperer

Merle Inc.

Pegasus Global Holdings, Inc.

The Trailside Group

Unionville Ranch

Wes & Bernie Ward

Winning Foundations

Life Support recognizes and thanks everyone that attended the July 15 Dinner Auction at Swiftwater Cellars. You have gone above and beyond, making a genuine and valuable difference in the first responders’ lives as they stand ready 24/7 to serve those in times of need. We are continually overwhelmed by the passion and loyalty of those that have become part of the Life Support Family.

So many benefit from your ongoing commitment and big-heartedness.

When dispersing funds Life Support considers the demographics of individual agencies and size of coverage area, their call volume for both EMS (primary) and fire responses. The most extensive coverage and call response area is Kittitas County Fire District 7. Supporting grants are dispersed to other agencies.

A round of applause for Mark Schenfeld (auctioneer), Franklin Smith (musician), Clarice Alfonso (vocalist), Myquelin Ruvalcaba (Latino Dance Group), KCFD7 Color Guard and Christy Wersland (photographer) for all their contributions to this year’s Dinner Auction.

Abourezk & Co.

Alaska Airlines

Always Excavating

Basecamp Outfitters

Blewett Coffee

Brown Bear Car Wash

Browne Family Vineyards

Carek’s Meat Market

Cascade Mountain Grilling

Cashmere Valley Bank

Cicely’s Gift Shop

Cle Elum Bakery

Cle Elum Farm & Home

Cle Elum Hardware

Cle Elum Safeway

Coal Chute Café

Cottage Café

Dairy Queen

Daniel’s Restaurant

Darren and Jessica Muller

Dorene Merrill

Doug and Sandy Malcolm

Dru Bru

Ederra & the Trailside Group

Eric Genuis

Ernie and Kathy McCarthy

Valley

BankCaren Reed & Staff, and to all who purchased tickets for our 23rd annual Dinner Auction!

Over the past two decades, and still today, the generosity of so many has made Life Support’s work possible. The unwavering support for First Responders is demonstrated daily when well-trained and adequately equipped EMS personnel respond to 911 calls in this beautiful area and along the I-90 corridor.

Life Support Award Recipients

2003 Charlie Glondo

2004 Craig McKee

2005 Cheryl Burrows

2006 Greg Ballard

2007 Chuck Wallick

2008 Bob Cernick

2009 Lee Hadden

2010 Paul Blume

2011 Ray Risdon

2012 Greg Blum

2013 John Carlson

2014 Zackery Lystedt

2015 Bill Peare & Sid Morrison

2016 Tony Ditsworth

2017 Crystal Campbell

2018 Lorne Muller

2019 Roger Jobs

2020-21 Chief John Sinclair

2022 Bob Johnson

2023 Kristin Carlson

Our thanks to the following people and businesses for their generous auction donations:

Feather River Band

Frame Central

Friday Harbor Sea Planes

Friends of Life Support

Fused

Gemini Fish Market

George and Robin Phillips

Glondo’s Sausage Company

Holland America

Home Goods

Hotel Roslyn

Iron Horse Inn

Janice Collier

Jermaine Kearse

Jim and Barb Becker

Roslyn Theatre -

Joe & Courtney Neese

John L. Scott

Judy Stewart

Justin and Stephanie Zipperer

Kam Chancellor

Kasia Pawluskiewicz

Kiesha Conan

Laureen Ross

Loren and Dalyce McFarland

M Zina

Ma Ma Vallone’s

Marson and Marson Lumber, Inc.

Mary Maletzke Photography

Maxine Madsen

Mike and Maria Adams

Mikey and Kara Griffith

Motor Toys

Mountain Elegance

Mountain Joy

Nancy Marquette

NAPA - Joe and Jolynn Wallick

Northern Kittitas County Tribune

Orchard Restaurant

Owens Meats

Pioneer Coffee Roasting Co.

Ride Roslyn

Ritter Farms Bistro & Blooms

Rob and Cheri Marusa

Roslyn Café

Roslyn Candy Company

Roslyn Logan’s Restaurant

Roslyn Mexican Grill

Ruff Bar (Big Sky Products)

Sahara Pizza

Scott Pernaa

Seattle Krakens

Seattle Mariners

Seattle Seahawks

Sena Lanphere

ShannDees Boutique

Sid Morrison

Sidney Rice

Southside Storage

Starbucks

Steve Talerico

Sun Country Golf

Suncadia

Swiftwater Cellars

The Brick Saloon

The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse

Tia Anderson

Travis Schill

Tutta Bella

Unionville Ranch

Upside Down Wine

Village Pizza

Willette’s Shell & Towing

Winning FoundationsTerry & Patricia Jerke

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 – 4:30 PM

On August 22, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Roslyn City Council plans to hold a public hearing at City Hall, 201 S. First Street in Roslyn, to receive comments on the 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan.

Those wishing to provide public comment may do so in person or in writing at City Hall. Comments can be submitted via email to clerk@ci.roslyn.wa.us or via mail to PO Box 451 Roslyn, WA 98941 or by hand delivery to the Roslyn City Hall.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting City Hall at (509) 649-3105 or via email at clerk@ci.roslyn.wa.us

(Published in the N.K.C. TRIBUNE, Aug. 3, 2023.)

CITY OF ROSLYN REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

City Engineering Consulting Services

The City of Roslyn is requesting statements of qualifications from professional consulting firms licensed under the laws of the state of Washington to perform a variety of on-call review and consulting services to start August 31, 2023. The professional consulting services for which the City is seeking are as follows: Civil Engineering, including but not limited to, transportation, water, sewer and storm engineering services, Environmental services, Archeological and Cultural Surveying, general Surveying services and Community Planning. A complete copy of the RFQ can be obtained at Roslyn City Hall, 201 S First Street, Roslyn WA or via email to clerk@ci.roslyn.wa.us. All submittals must be received by 4:00 pm on August 24, 2023.

(Published in the N.K.C. TRIBUNE, Aug. 3, 2023.)

PUBLIC NOTICE – KITTITAS COUNTY ELLENSBURG, WA

The Board of Kittitas County Commissioners will meet at 2:00 pm on August 15, 2023 at the Commissioners’ Auditorium, 205 West 5th Avenue, Room 109, Kittitas County Courthouse, Ellensburg, WA to consider the Leasing of Kittitas County Water Rights through Public Auction.

More information is online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/notices/.

/s/ Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board

Publish:Daily Record: 08/03/2023; 08/10/2023 North Kittitas County Tribune: 08/03/2023; 08/10/2023

(Published in the N.K.C. TRIBUNE, Aug. 3 and 10, 2023.)

Search statewide at WAPublicNotices.com

PUBLIC NOTICE

Nelson View LLC, Justin Rarden, 800 Pioneer Trail Cle Elum, WA 98922-8086, is seeking coverage under the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Construction Stormwater NPDES and State Waste Discharge General Permit.

The proposed project, Nelson View, is located at 800 Pioneer Trail in Cle Elum in county.

This project involves 2 acres of soil disturbance for Residential, Utilities construction activities.

All discharges and runoff goes to ground water.

Any persons desiring to present their views to the Washington State Department of Ecology regarding this Application, or interested in Ecology’s action on this Application, may notify Ecology in writing no later than 30 days of the last date of publication of this notice. Ecology reviews public comments and considers whether discharges from this project would cause a measurable change in receiving water quality, and, if so, whether the project is necessary and in the overriding public interest according to Tier II anti-degradation requirements under WAC 173-201A-320.

Comments can be submitted to: ecyrewqianoi@ecy.wa.gov, or

ATTN: Water Quality Program, Construction Stormwater Washington State Department of Ecology P.O. Box 47696 Olympia, WA 98504-7696 (Published in the N.K.C. TRIBUNE, July 27 and Aug. 3, 2023.)

District #2 School Board of Directors Position is Open for Applications

If you are interested, please go to our website at cersd.org to find the link to the application or pick one up at the District Office at 4244 Bullfrog Road Cle Elum, WA 98922. You must reside in Director District #2 to apply. There is a link to the boundary maps on the application or under the school board tab on our website. Position will remain open until filled. Please drop off any applications to the District Office by August 28th at 3:30pm or email it to dumarsj@cersd.org

(Published in the N.K.C. TRIBUNE, July 27; Aug. 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2023.)