Chelan Fire and Rescue welcomes new fighter

CHELAN – Fire and Rescue District 7 (CFR 7) welcomed a new face to the crew of firefighters. Austin Murdock, originally of Leavenworth, came to Chelan Fire after working part-time as firefighter and EMT at Marysville and Lake Stevens fire departments.
While baseball was originally the plan for his future, he said he found his passion while volunteering with Chelan County Fire District 3 out of Leavenworth. After graduating from Cascade High School in 2015, he got hired on through the Wenatchee River Ranger District.
“I spent the summer of 2015 fighting wildland fire,” he explained, “to gain experience in the field as well as help pay for my future education through Everett Community College (ECC).”
Once enrolled in the community college, he went straight into EMT courses, then on to the fire academy which gave him all the fire certifications needed for gainful employment through a district.
As Murdock completed the fire academy, he gained part-time employment as a firefighter and EMT through the Marysville Fire Department, then added Lake Stevens Fire Department to his employment, working as a part-time firefighter and EMT through them as well. He continued working both part-time jobs in conjunction with being a full-time student working toward his degree in fire science, “it has been a grind to say the least,” he laughingly added. “The biggest thing that I’ve gained from working at both of the departments (Marysville and Lake Stevens) have been my EMS skills,” he said, “primarily being a part-timer I was on an aide car … the busiest aide car in Snohomish County, it wouldn’t be unusual to transport seven to 10 patients in a 24-hour time period.”
Murdock chose ECC for his degree because of the Fire Science Associate’s Degree they offer. While taking a quarter off to get settled in as a resident of Chelan and an employee at CFR 7, he anticipates the completion of his fire science degree by the end of the next quarter.
Since moving back to Leavenworth shortly after his employment with Marysville Fire, he had been commuting back and forth, until finally settling in Chelan with girlfriend Marina Williams, who had been hired on as a Physical Education Instructor through Chelan High School.
At the time of interview, Murdock was on his second day of training at CFR 7, “two days here has been absolutely incredible,” he stated, “what a huge support system that I’ve gotten this far.” He will continue through two weeks of training on day shift, then will be placed on shift in December. “Being a probationary firefighter, there’s a lot expected of you. And everybody’s arms here have been wide open,” he added, describing the offers to be shown or helped without have to request it, “what an amazing community this is.”