Beginning my career in 1976 as a volunteer firefighter. I am a third generation firefighter and have enjoyed many years of service within the industry, performing in a variety of capacities. I have over 16 years experience as a career Firefighter/Paramedic and currently serve as a Fire Lieutenant/Paramedic here in Thurston County. My interest include working toward my Bachelors degree in Fire Science and music. Dale Brittion has ten years of management experience in both the public and private sector of emergency services, including major project development and implementation and technology systems evaluation, design, and management. He has spent many years as an instructor, evaluator, professional advisory board member, and local professional organization advocate for fire and emergency medical services (EMS) in King, Pierce, and Thurston counties.

“I’m honored to be a part of the positive organizational changes that focus on quality, cost effective Fire and EMS service delivery to the residents of the Fire District.”

Bob Barnard came to Olympia’s Cooper Point area in 1970 when selected from a national search to be a planning faculty member of the Evergreen State College.( Dr. Barnard received his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in 1969).   He joined the McLane Fire Department in 1972, advancing to the rank of volunteer Captain later joining the State Office of  Fire Service Training as a supervisor. Bob was first appointed a McLane Fire District 9 fire commissioner in 2003 to fill a vacant position and elected to a full term in 2008.   He has developed numerous fire training manuals and several major training programs for the State and most recently worked as a contractor for the Office of The State Fire Marshal developing and managing the Basic Fire Fighter-I  Training Program.  Other notable projects included assignments as project manager for the State Fire Training Center at North Bend, working through construction, prop design and core curriculum implementation.  Nationally, he has been part of a national team which prepared a publication for the National Fire Administration “Safety and Health Considerations for the Design of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Stations” co-developed and taught The Fire Department Safety Officer Course for the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA).    Bob was a member of the Fire Fighter Safety Standard Committee which developed WAC 296-305 The Fire Fighter Safety Standard in 1992 and was responsible for coordinating the process of moving the 1997 Standard through final rule making.  He now serves as a Washington State Fire Commissioners Association representative to The State Department of Labor and Industries.

Mark Thompson has served as a Fire Commissioner for Thurston County Fire Protection District 5 since January of 1998. His leadership has helped assure the District has the resources needed to provide skilled, cost effective emergency services to the residents of the District. Mark has been instrumental in adding Career firefighters, improving mutual aid agreements with neighboring Districts and improving facilities and equipment. In his continued efforts to provide the best possible, most cost effective service to the residents of the District, he has supported the Consolidation of Thurston County Fire District 5 with Thurston County Fire District 9, now known as the McLane Black Lake Fire Department.

Mark is Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and a life-long Olympia resident. He is a proud University of Washington Alumnus and avid sports fan. Mark enjoys spending time with his wife Barb and two daughters. Mark also enjoys exercising, socializing with friends, travel and photography.