Dave Hauge and incumbent Eric Patton are both seeking the Fire District 5 commissioner position in the general election.

The general election will be held on Nov. 7. Ballots will be mailed by Oct. 20.

Tell me about yourself (profession and education):

Hauge: My background entails being raised in a self-employed family environment. My family owned Satsop Nursery from 1977 to 1986. The next chapter in my career was learning good business practices while working for Dennis Company, earning a position as store manager. My experience has prepared me well to be a leader in an organization that protects life and property in our community.

Patton: 1982 to present started commercial gillnet fishing salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska; 1986 Graduated Phoenix Institute of Technology – ASE certified mechanic and A/C technician; 1986 to present became a volunteer at Grays Harbor Fire District 5; 1988 to present graduated EMT training; 1988 graduated union apprenticeship and became a journeyman carpenter and journeyman millwright; 1988 to present co-founded Evergreen Fire/Safety that takes care of Grays Harbor Raceway drivers and fans; 1990 to present joined Elma Game Club. I help put on the Annual Fish Derby at Elma Ponds – also help stock rainbow trout in Lake Aberdeen, Lake Nahwatzel, Elma Lakes, Lake Sylvia, Failor Lake and Duck Lake.

Is there a shortage of personnel at the fire district? What kind of outreach should the fire district be doing to attract more staff and more volunteers?

Hauge: There is a tremendous shortage of volunteers across America, not only in the fire service but in most volunteer organizations. We need to find a way to include and excite the public so they can experience the rewards of stepping up to assist their neighbors. A disaster response division of the department needs to be created. Members need to take ownership and include the general public, get them excited about participating in disaster preparedness. This would inform people of a common location to gather in a disaster to look for help or assist others in need of help.

Patton: I would not say there is a shortage but the district is always looking to increase staffing. As a 25-plus-year commissioner and almost 30-year firefighter/EMT, I can honestly say the best firefighter/EMTs are the ones that seek out the service because they have the desire to be there and serve and help the community. Because firefighters and EMTs are a special individual because human nature is to run away from danger not meet it head on and make a terrible situation better. That takes dedication and desire that you either have or you don’t. So when you talk about recruitment, it is a tough situation.

Aside from personnel, what other needs does the fire district have and how can those needs be met?

Hauge: Big corporations are always looking for change through mergers and acquisitions. The local fire departments are duplicating supplies and services. We need to have area departments consolidate resources to be more efficient and make better use of all of our volunteers.

Patton: The District has many needs, too many to list. Here is a few that take priority: First is a good working relationship with our neighbors. With each other’s help it becomes possible to take care of our citizens’ needs in time of crisis; tender replacement – through the use of grants, used vehicle replacement from other departments and of bonds approved by voters; a more centralized station for our 911 first out responding units whether it is an existing building or a new one – once again this would either be done by grant, voter approved bonds or consolidation of departments; communication – all of East County is in need of newer and updated radios. This could be achieved by a regional grant similar to the one Grays Harbor Fire District 5 and the City of Elma just received.

What are your goals for the fire district?

Hauge: Short term goals are to ensure there is accountability and sustainability. There is a need to involve the public to establish community disaster gathering points. Long term goal is to work on consolidation with other outside agencies.

Patton: To make sure that if someone is in need of help they get it no matter what time of day or night somebody will be there to help. Through working with our neighbors, the cities and the fire districts, our citizens of East County have their needs met in the most professional and compassionate and cost effective way. By working and training together hopefully by eventual consolidating services to reduce duplication of services and the cost of duplicating those services we will be able to better serve the citizens of East County. This goal can be achieved in several ways, but it depends on cooperation, trust and commitment to achieve a common goal. And that is to build a system in the most efficient and cost effective way possible.