Our Mission
To provide the best fire, rescue and emergency medical care to the citizens and visitors of Kittitas County Fire Protection District 6 (Ronald, Lake Cle Elum), through fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue, emergency medical response and training.
Description
We are a key team player with citizens, local businesses, and other government agencies working together to maintain a proud community with a strong sense of safety and security. Kittitas County Fire Protection District 6 provides responsive services to the citizens by investing in training, education, staffing and equipment. We are dedicated and compassionate professionals, who recognize our greatest strength lies in our team approach.
Overview
Kittitas County Fire Protection District #6 was founded on November 8th 1977. Prior to that, the department was known as the Ronald Volunteer Fire Dept. District 6 consists of three stations; Station 61, Station 62 and Station 63. Station 61 was built in 1982 as just apparatus bays with a small room at the back of the bays. In the early 90’s, a training room, kitchen, bathroom and office were added. In 2008, we updated the bay floor to withstand the weight of new water tender apparatus. In 2020, we did a station remodel and repainted the station. As the KCFPD#6 population and need for services grew, Station 62 was built. Construction began in 2015 and in 2016 we took occupancy. Station 63 is a 2-bay drive through building on property owned by the Driftwood Homeowners Association. This station houses a brush truck and a rescue side by side vehicle.
We support over 17 square miles of area extending from Ronald, north to Lake Cle Elum and parts of Suncadia. Although the population of our permanent community is small, our location in a resort area with access to camping, hiking trails, summer water activity and winter snow sports increases the population in our area dramatically on weekends and holidays. Our firefighters and EMTs respond to multiple calls a day during the busy summer and winter months.
Services
We provide Fire Suppression, Prevention, Rescue and EMS services. We currently respond to over 200 calls for service a year. This is an almost 5 times increase in calls as compared to 10 years ago before the district provided EMS and Rescue services.
Our Firefighters and EMTs also provide both shoreline and avalanche rescues. These operations require specialized training and close collaboration with our partners in the Kittitas County Sherriff’s office and Search and Rescue (SAR).
EMS
EMS vs Fire/Other Incident Calls 2016-2023
The majority of the calls that District 6 responds to are emergency medical calls. In support of these calls, District 6 boasts over 10 certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) with more currently undergoing training. More than half of the current District 6 responders are certified EMTs. Our volunteers undergo continuing education to support their EMT certificate. These volunteers support the entire district and provide backup support for other districts.
Fire Suppression
District 6 provides the community with 24/7 fire protection with fire engines, tenders and brush trucks. In addition, the District provides automatic mutual aid to Cle Elum and Roslyn fire departments and mutual aid to other Kittitas County departments when requested. We currently have 22 volunteer firefighters, and 8 of our volunteers are Wildland Red-carded. With the addition of new apparatus and Station 62, we have significantly reduced response time from the preceding years.
Rescue
In partnership with Kittitas County Sheriff’s office and Search and Rescue (SAR), District 6 provides both shoreline and mountain rescue.