METHOW VALLEY – Brian McAuliffe, a Captain with Okanogan County Fire District 6 (previously a Division Chief before recent changes to the organization’s command structure changed the name of the position), has recently submitted his two week notice of resignation to the District.
A firefighter and Advanced EMT (AEMT), McAuliffe is soon leaving his employment with FD6 to accept a position as Firefighter-EMT with the Pullman Fire Department in Pullman, WA.
McAuliffe has a long-time connection with the Pullman area. When attending Washington State University, McAuliffe was a student firefighter at the school, and often went out on mutual aid calls to assist Pullman Fire Department elsewhere in the city.
“It was a hard decision to leave Fire District 6, and I’ve really appreciated the opportunities that the District provided, but this change is the right decision for my family at this time”, said McAuliffe.
McAuliffe has been in a paid position with FD6 for almost 14 years, since mid-2007. Prior to that he was a volunteer firefighter with FD6 for many years, starting in 1993. He calculated that he was 20 days short of a total of 27 years of public service, paid and volunteer, at FD6. McAuliffe is among the small group of 2 or 3 people who are currently FD6’s longest serving active members.
As an Advanced EMT, McAuliffe also volunteers for Aero Methow, an organization that he has an even longer history with than the fire service. He is currently Aero Methow’s longest serving active volunteer.
Despite the distance to his new job, McAuliffe and his family still intend to reside in the Methow Valley. When asked if he would remain a volunteer for Aero Methow, McAuliffe says “I certainly would like to continue helping people in the Methow Valley”. He is also open to volunteering at FD6 again. However, his new employer must approve those activities. His last day with FD6 is March 26th.
We thank McAuliffe for his long service to the valley, and offer our best wishes for success in his new employment, and safe travels.