UWTV features EFR leadership techniques
December 14, 2010
Eastside Fire & Rescue has been featured in a six-part TV series about leadership research and strategic thinking.
The program, “Fostering Leadership,” is a joint effort between the University of Washington Foster School of Business and UWTV. Viewers can watch the program at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays on UWTV or at the Foster School of Business website.
In the episode titled “Extreme Leadership,” Fire Marshall Bud Backer shares candid reflections of 25 years of leadership development in the fire service. Read more
Annexation could resolve area’s contamination, fire concerns
November 30, 2010
Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District considers absorbing Overdale Park
Concerns about contaminated drinking water and inadequate fire protection could evaporate soon for Overdale Park residents.
The neighborhood near the former Albertsons store could be annexed into the Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District after a yearslong debate about arsenic-tainted wells and questions about a stable water supply.
Overdale — through a neighborhood water association — has operated a private water system since the 1950s, not long after houses started to sprout at the then-rural site. Residents turned to the Sammamish district for service in 2005, after arsenic contamination left a well near East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast unusable. In addition, another neighborhood well could no longer meet residents’ demand for water. Read more
Overnight blaze damages Chinese restaurant
July 9, 2010
UPDATED — 4:45 p.m. July 9, 2010
Flames damaged a Chinese restaurant along Northwest Gilman Boulevard early Friday morning.
Eastside Fire & Rescue crews responded to a small fire at Cascade Garden, 1580 N.W. Gilman Blvd., at about 1:15 a.m.
Owner Andy Liu was cleaning up the restaurant the afternoon after the fire. He said he had closed the restaurant at about 10 the previous night.
“I made sure everything was cleaned before I left last night. I didn’t smell anything,” he said. “I got a call at 1:45 in the morning. I showed up and saw the fire trucks.”
Who’s News
June 29, 2010
Issaquah doctor named president of AAPD
Doctor John R. Liu, of Issaquah, was recently inducted as president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a leader in children’s dental and oral health, along with other officers for the AAPD board of trustees during its 63rd annual session at the Hilton Chicago Hotel & Towers on May 27.
Liu has a private practice in Issaquah, and has been an AAPD member for 22 years. He attended dental school at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, Calif., and received his pediatric dentistry certificate from Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Most recently, Liu has served as the AAPD’s vice president (2008-09), secretary-treasurer (2007-08) and trustee at large. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as a fellow of both the American College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy. Liu is a national media spokesperson for the AAPD.
EFR fire marshal completes chief fire officer designation
Bud Backer, Fire Marshal for Eastside Fire & Rescue, has successfully completed the process that awards him the professional designation of “chief fire officer.”
Backer was officially awarded the designation June 8 and is one of only 699 CFOs worldwide. Backer is the first executive officer at Eastside Fire & Rescue to attain this designation.
He has been in the fire service for 25 years, recently joining EFR. Read more
Investigators smell something foul in portable toilet fires
May 18, 2010
Something stinks in the Issaquah Highlands.
Fires set within about 24 hours of each other destroyed three portable toilets last week. Officials suspect foul play in the Grand Ridge Elementary School and Central Park blazes.
Firefighters responded to the first fire at about 10:30 p.m. May 11. Crews contained the fire to a toilet set up near a portable classroom.
Firefighters responded to another fire in nearby Central Park at about 11 p.m. May 12. Responders discovered a pair of portable toilets ablaze. Read more
Investigators smell something foul in portable toilet fires
May 13, 2010
UPDATED — 2:05 p.m. May 13, 2010
Something stinks in the Issaquah Highlands.
Fires set within about 24 hours of each other destroyed three portable toilets Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Officials suspect foul play in the Grand Ridge Elementary School and Central Park blazes.
Firefighters responded to the first fire at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. Crews contained the fire to a toilet set up near a portable classroom.
Firefighters responded to another fire in nearby Central Park at about 11 p.m. Wednesday. Responders discovered a pair of portable toilets ablaze.
New fire marshal comes to EFR
March 23, 2010
Eastside Fire & Rescue has filled its fire marshal position, and more. Read more
EFR defers on job of emergency coordinator
January 20, 2009
Amid talks about its 2009 budget, Eastside Fire & Rescue staff members recommended filling a new emergency coordinator position. But EFR’s commissioners chose to defer filling it, saying it isn’t necessary right now. Read more
