Firefighter Biographies

Our Firefighters are the pride and joy of the department. We make up an ordinary group of men and women living in district 18.
  • Scott Crowe (Chief/EMT)

    Firefighter since: June 2004

    Occupation: Fire Chief, Whatcom County Fire District 18

    Family/Pets: Lovely wife, teenage daughter, and a big hairy dog

    Hobbies: Sailing, motorcycles (British and OCD Preferably), Camping, Hiking

  • David Darrah (Assistant Chief/EMT)

    Firefighter since: 1994

    Occupation: Service advisor

    Family/Pets: Wife Jeanette, 5 kids, 13 grandkids, 1 dog

    Hobbies: Fishing, shooting

  • Sean Dickinson (Captain/EMT)

    Firefighter since: 2004 Occupation: Firefighter/EMT, Everett

    Family/Pets: Wife-Paulina (Firebelles member), four sons, dog-Carlos

    Hobbies: Kettlebells instructor.

  • Michelle Goelzenleuchter (Lieutenant/EMT)

    Firefighter since: April 2005

    Occupation: Firefighter/EMT-Redmond, Library Page-Bellingham Children's Library

    Family/Pets: Husband Ryan, and four cats (Gordon, Greta, Sigma, Miu)

    Hobbies: Gardening, acting, crocheting, rock-hunting, star gazing, hiking, politics, reading, running/swimming/biking/kayaking in races, gourmet cooking, Kung Fu, dancing, traveling, etc. I'm a Renaissance adrenaline junky-I like to do everything.

  • Dana Kowalewski (Lieutenant/EMT)

    Firefighter since: August 1998

    Occupation: Aerospace

    Family/Pets: Husband-Mike, Daughters-Ilona and Martina, Pet-Ace

    Hobbies: Skiing, Biking, Yoga

  • Wayne Hancock (Firefighter/EMT)

    Firefighter since: August 1982

    Occupation: Pipefitter

    Family/Pets:

    Hobbies:

  • Mark Chellson (Firefighter/EMT)

    Firefighter since: July 1988

    Occupation: Home Builder/Carpenter, designer of fine homes

    Family/Pets: Wife Mary Pat, sons Dustin, Colin, chocolate lab, Mia

    Hobbies: Fishing, Wrestling, Hunting, Music

  • Davis Pack (FF/First Responder)
  • Don Visser (Firefighter)

    Firefighter since: 1974

    Occupation: Surveyor

    Family/Pets: Wife-Jaylene, Son-Bryan, Dogs-Victor and Scout, Cats-Smokey and Bootsie

    Hobbies: Hunting and fishing

  • Michael Brennan (Firefighter/EMT)

    Firefighter since: ?

    Occupation: Powertrain Calibration Engineer

    Family/Pets: NA

  • Anna Huntley (Firefighter/EMT)

    Firefighter since: 2010

    Occupation: Supermom!

    Family: Husband, 2 kids and one on the way, 1 dog

    Hobbies: Water sports, boating

  • Troy Patrick (Firefighter/EMT)
  • Omar Mejia (Firefighter/prob EMT)

    Firefighter since: 2010

    Occupation: Commercial sales

    Family/Pets: Wife and 3 year old daughter

    Hobbies: Trail riding, fishing, hiking

  • Socorro Ruiz (Firefighter/EMT and Commissioner)
  • Andrew Gallagher (Firefighter)

    Firefighter since: 2011, cadet since 2010

    Occupation: None

    Family/Pets: Mom-Kerri, Dad-Bob, Brothers-Steven, Thomas, Michael

    Hobbies: Hunting, fishing

  • Debra Fiscus (EMT)

    Volunteer since: 2010

    Occupation: X-ray Technologist

    Family: 1 black dog

    Hobbies: Camping, hiking, traveling, yoga, home remodeling, gardening

  • Ray McKinnon (Probationary EMT)

    Volunteer since: 2010

    Occupation: Registered nurse

    Family/Pets: Wife-Terry, Cats-Evil, Momo, Winnie

    Hobbies: Eating, hunting, fishing

  • Cheryl Scoles (Probationary EMT)
  • Jackie Ruiz (Firebelles Co-President)

    Firebelle since: 2004

    Occupation: Inside Sales at Dri-eaz since 2005

    Family/Pets: Socorro/Husband, Christina Ward/daughter, Dylan/Son, Grandkids/Evan, Bailey, Rachel and cats/Ariel & Jasmine and dog/Tylr

    Hobbies: Spending time with family & friends and riding on the back of a motorcycle

  • Brenda Bistline (Firebelles Co-President)

    Firebelle since: 2000

    Occupation: Countryside Chevrolet-over 6 years, Asst. office manager

    Family/Pets: Husband-Pat (a long-time volunteer Firefighter), Kids-Amanda, Chrystal, Christopher (a Firefigher with District 18), and Trish. Pets-Dog: Maya, Cat: Bear

    Hobbies: Camping, family, friends.

  • Tari Caswell (Commissioner)
  • Connie Robinson (Commissioner)
  • Allen McKay (Chaplain)

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please call Assistant Chief Crowe at 360-595-0130 or 360-815-7483.