Mission Statement
Serving Our Community: Professional, Accountable, Caring
Our Vision
- Exceed customers’ expectations.
- Provide personnel with the necessary support, encouragement, skills, and tools for safe and effective job performance.
- Operate in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner possible within available resources.
- Provide a healthy, happy, empowered, enthusiastic workplace free of harassment and discrimination.
- Be recognized as an outstanding resource to the community to enhance the quality of life.
- Foster a management/labor/volunteer/community partnership.
Our Values
Doing the “right thing” through trust, respect, integrity, commitment, and ethical professional service.
History
Graham Fire & Rescue/Pierce County Fire District 21 was established on December 4th, 1961 as allowed by Title 52 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and first operated out of the old bus garage at Kapowsin High School. In 1963, a new station was built just north of the railroad tracks on Meridian in Graham over the site of Adam’s Hardware Store. A volunteer station which serves the community of Kapowsin was built in 1971. That Kapowsin station is now known as Station 92.
In 1986, Graham Fire added the station on 187th and Meridian, currently known at Station 91. That station served as the headquarters station for nearly 20 years. Station 93 lies about a mile west of the 304th Street and Meridian intersection. Station 93 was remodeled in the mid 1990’s and currently serves as Graham Fire & Rescue’s primary training ground with a tower, mock rooftop, and other props. 2006 brought about a new headquarters station, which is about a quarter mile south of 224th Street on 70th Ave. Most of our Administrative Chiefs and administrative secretaries are located at Station 94.
In 2010, thanks to the generous citizens of the Graham response area, Graham Fire & Rescue was able to construct two new stations: Station 96 on 224th just west of Orting-Kapowsin Highway, and a rebuild of what was previously a volunteer Station 95 at 78th Ave and 188th Street Ct E.
In early 2020, Graham Fire & Rescue received an improved rating from the Washington State Surveying and Rating Bureau, putting the fire district in the top 10% of fire departments rated in Washington. This improved rating means lower fire insurance premiums on homes and businesses.
On November 3, 2020, thanks to the support of voters in Fire District 21, Graham Fire & Rescue passed Proposition 1: Benefit Charge. The Benefit Charge provides sustainable and stable funding for fire and emergency medical services for residents by diversifying Fire District revenues to include a funding source other than property taxes.
Today, Graham Fire & Rescue provides fire and emergency medical services to nearly 70,000 residents, businesses and properties covering 70 square miles of south central Pierce County, including the communities of Frederickson, Spanaway, South Hill, Graham and Kapowsin. 106 dedicated firefighters and paramedics work out of the five 24/7 staffed and one volunteer fire station located in the District.
Community Demographics
We serve a diverse community in south central Pierce County. Visit our Community Demographics platform to learn more.