Board of Fire Commissioners

South Bay Fire District 8

Board of Fire Commissioners

Commissioner Daniel Bivens

and his wife moved to the Olympia area in 2013. They currently live in Seashore Villa. In 2018 he volunteered as a receptionist for the South Bay Fire Department for a year. Daniel volunteered for many years with the Department of Emergency Services in Spokane County. He worked with members of the Sheriffs’ Department as President of the Explorer Search and Rescue teams, supporting the Underwater Dive Teams, and as a photographer for the DES community missions teams. He volunteered his time to teach BLS/ALS First Aid, CPR, and AED for the Red Cross and the American Heart Association for nearly 25 years and for more than 20 years he taught Hunter Education in Washington State with the last three years as the Chief Instructor. Dan also helped to organize an outdoor safety group in Spokane that focused on survival and mountain rescue.

In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and the relaxation of solitude in the mountains. He also does some woodworking - scrolling and soon to start turning pens. In recent years, he learned to knit hats and has produced a fair number of them, almost all have been donated to those in need. Daniel also enjoys writing and will soon be publishing his first book.

Daniel enjoys volunteering and helping the community. “The people that I work with are absolutely the best and I have been able to learn many things. I am looking forward to more years with them.”

Commissioner Jake Hunter

and his wife live near the Boston Harbor community where they are raising two very active teenage boys. Jake’s wife is a middle teacher in the Olympia School District. Jake started his fire service career at South Bay Fire Department fifteen years ago and his currently employed with Lacey Fire District 3 as the Assistant Chief of Training where he oversees one hundred forty members and their individual training both EMS, fire and everywhere in-between. Jake has been involved with community in serval different roles from coaching youth sports for over a decade, volunteering his time at local schools and volunteering at local charity events.

Jake and is family are very active and spend most of their free time hiking, camping, boating, backpacking, skiing, and exploring National Parks and Monuments.

“As the new Commissioner to South Bay Fire Department I bring a unique perspective to an already successful commissioner board. I am looking forward to the opportunity to help grow our department in both the career and volunteer ranks while continuing to provide excellent services to our citizens.”

Commissioner Doug Kilpatrick

and his wife GayLee moved from California to their home in the Johnson Point area in 1988. They have two adult children who were born in Olympia and attended school in the North Thurston School District. During the kids' school years, both parents supported the school district by volunteering in the classroom and with the PTA. Doug coached baseball for their son's team. Doug has worked for the state of Washington with the State Energy Office, Utilities and Transportation Commission as an Energy/Utility Engineer and the Department of General Administration's Energy Program which later merged into the Department of Enterprise Services.

In 1992, a neighbor and volunteer firefighter recruited Doug to the South Bay Fire District. Doug spent 26 years as an active volunteer firefighter and medical First Responder. During those years, Doug was promoted from fire fighter to shift officer, then as Battalion Chief. Doug retired as an active fire service responder in June 2018. During his last two years of service as a volunteer, Doug held the rank of Assistant Chief. As a volunteer Assistant Chief, Doug strove to ensure the voice of the front- line volunteer responders was heard and considered during policy, procedure and budget discussions.

Eighteen months after retiring as an active volunteer firefighter, Doug was elected as one of South Bay's five fire commissioners. He decided to run for Commissioner so he could bring personal, local fire and emergency medical experience to the Board of Commissioners.

Doug is very active and in his spare time he enjoys bicycling, kayaking, camping and hiking. He also enjoys working around his home and helping his wife tend her vast vegetable garden. Doug enjoys collaborating with his wife to create large meals for their "extended family" that includes his own children, grandchild, and his extended family.

"As a Commissioner I want to help ensure the continued success of South Bay in recruiting volunteer staff to our department. Our combination department of volunteer and career staff is perhaps the most successful such department in Thurston County. I'd like to see us maintain that leadership position through outstanding training and employment opportunities. I urge anyone interested in a fire service career to consider beginning it as a volunteer at South Bay Fire District 8."

Commissioner Pamela Long

and her husband Mark live on more than 15 acres on Henderson Inlet. Both have lived in Olympia for more than 60 years. Pamela has lived in South Bay Fire District for past 19 years. Her husband was born, raised and is a life-long resident of this district. They have two married sons - Nate (Megan), Josh (Marilyn) and eight grandchildren.

Pamela loves spending time with family, friends, gardening, playing bass guitar and relaxing on their beautiful waterfront property. She retired in September of 2019 after 42 years working at Providence St. Peter Hospital. The first 25 years in Physical Therapy Department spending time in both Inpatient and Outpatient care; six years in Employee Health, and 11 years as Facility Safety Officer (a regulatory and safety compliance role).

Pamela has been trained in NFPA 101 Fire and Life Safety regulatory requirements, FEMA Emergency Management - ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS, 700, ICS 800a, Incident Command 300, Hazardous Materials and Waste and Emergency Response, Hospital Decontamination, OSHA - Industrial Hygiene Training, Ergonomics Specialist, and Fall Protection Trained. These trainings will be useful in her new role as Commissioner in the South Bay Fire District.

Commissioner Pamela started working with South Bay Fire in December 2019. She represents district taxpayers as well as assuring Fire Department members who protect life and property in our South Bay Fire District have what they need to do their job and be safe. Board members provide guidance and support on many issues including reviewing and approving purchasing, hiring, and policies.

To contact Commissioner Pamela Long by email - plong@southbayfire.com

Commissioner Gloria Zvirzdys

and her husband Victor have been married 37 years and have raised three wonderful children. She has lived in the district for 18 years and has a long history of volunteering in the South Bay Area. When her children were at South Bay Elementary she coached soccer, baseball, and basketball for over ten years. She was awarded with the Acorn Award for her effort, excellence and commitment to helping at the school. Those years were followed by serving as PTA President at Chinook Middle School for six years.

Gloria is a successful business owner of two hair styling salons in Lacey and a partner with her husband in an IT business. She plans to bring this entrepreneur knowledge and all-out effort to create and maintain positive values to the district, while keeping the interests of the tax payer and personnel in mind.

In Gloria’s free time, she enjoys growing fresh vegetables and fruits in her garden, decorating her house for the holidays, spending time with her family, and cooking massive feasts for the copious amounts of family events she hosts at their home. Because of her unending energy and amazing work ethic, her kids always tell her that she is the definition of a “super mom”.

“I look forward to be a part of the team of commissioners and look forward to the challenges ahead.” If you have any concerns or questions, please email Commissioner Gloria Zvirzdys at gzvirzdys@southbayfire.com