Montesano Professional Firefighters

10/31/2026

As Montesano continues to grow and our population ages, so does the demand for fire and emergency services.

Our firefighters know firsthand how important it is to have the staffing, equipment, and training needed to respond when our community needs it most. From maintaining reliable apparatus to keeping up with training and retaining experienced firefighters, these are real needs facing our department.

Proposition 1 is a Basic City Levy that includes funding for Fire/EMS, police, public works, and other city services. While we’re focused on the Fire Department’s needs, this levy is about more than just fire and emergency services.

We’re sharing the MFD’s post as a reminder that Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

Have questions about what the levy means for our firefighters? We’re happy to talk!

🎃 Happy Halloween, Montesano! Election Day is just 3 days away!

Proposition 1 includes funding for:

👉 Additional Firefighter/EMT staffing
👉 24/7 two-person Fire/EMS coverage
👉 Emergency equipment replacement
👉 Facilities and other city services

A little friendly reminder, this is not a fire department-only levy. It includes police, city works, cemetery, city hall, parks, and other essential services.

Election Day: Tuesday, November 3!

Returning your ballot? Montesano has a ballot drop box on First Street near the Grays Harbor County Courthouse. Ballots must be dropped off by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Still have questions about Prop 1 (Basic City Levy)? We’re here to help answer them!

Learn more: https://www.montesanofire.com/about-prop1

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

10/21/2026

Join us in the spirit of Halloween!

10/19/2026

Here’s another chance to hear from the Fire Chie! This will be an hour long conversation diving deeper into all things levy and MFD.

You don’t want to miss it.

Update:

Great news! If you didn’t get a chance to listen this morning, here’s your chance! Click the link below to listen.

👉 https://www.gograysharbor.com/timber-country/podcasts/local-matters/episode/10-20-26/

🎙️ Another chance to tune in and learn more!

Montesano Fire Chief Busz will be on the Johnny Manson Show on Timber Country tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20, at 7:00 AM, with Captain Goodner joining the conversation!

They’ll take a deeper dive into the fire levy and share more about how the department operates, including the Volunteer Stipend Program and the important role volunteers play in serving our community.

Listen live: https://www.gograysharbor.com/timber-country/player/

Want to continue the conversation in person?

Join us for our upcoming Fire Levy Town Hall this Wednesday at 6:30 PM at City Hall to learn more and ask questions.

👉 Town Hall event details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CbRpTitmk/

We hope to see you there!

10/19/2026

Tune in tomorrow morning!

10/15/2026

🚒🔥 Fire Prevention Week at Beacon Elementary! 🔥🚒

Montesano Fire Department had the opportunity to visit the first and second grade students at Beacon Elementary School as part of Fire Prevention Week.

We talked about important fire and emergency safety topics, including when and how to call 911, what qualifies as an emergency, and the importance of having a family emergency plan. Students learned about choosing a family meeting place, knowing two ways out of their home, and making sure everyone knows what to do when an emergency happens.

We also discussed fire prevention and common ways fires can start, including matches and lighters, cooking fires, and clothing or other items placed too close to heaters.

Most importantly, we were reminded that fire prevention education starts early. The questions, participation, and enthusiasm from these students made the visit a great experience for our firefighters.

And a special thank-you to the students who took the time to make us beautiful thank-you cards. Your thoughtful messages truly touched our hearts and mean more than you know. ❤️

Thank you, Beacon Elementary, for welcoming Montesano Fire Department into your classrooms and helping us teach the next generation how to Stay Smart. Stay Safe. Stay Fire-Safe. 🚒❤️

Montesano Fire Department — proud to serve and educate our community.
(Pictured below is firefighter Kori Bussard with her son)

10/06/2026

Don’t forget to join us tomorrow for the first Town Hall! Chief Busz will be in the house breaking down how the levy works, what it means for you, and how it affects the community.

You won’t want to miss it! See you tomorrow at the Montesano Fire Department at 6:30 pm!

10/06/2026

🚒 FOUR CAREERS. ONE CALLING. 🚒

There are some things you can’t measure in years alone.

You measure them in calls answered, nights spent away from family, training hours, early mornings, late nights, tough calls, good calls, and the countless times someone simply showed up because their community needed them.

Today, Montesano Fire Department recognizes four members who have done exactly that.

🔥 DEAN BOHREN
1989–2026

Dean’s service to Montesano spans an incredible 37 years. He started as a volunteer in 1989, served as paid staff from 1995–2021, and then came back to volunteer from 2021–2026.

That’s more than a career. That’s a lifetime of answering the call.

🔥 STEPHEN PRATT
2016–2026

For the past 10 years, Stephen has served Montesano as a volunteer firefighter. He gave his time, his energy, and his commitment to helping his neighbors — because that’s what the fire service is all about.

🔥 JEFF SMITH
2008–2026

Jeff’s 18 years of service included time as both a volunteer and paid staff member. He served as a volunteer from 2008–2011, returned from 2014–2020, served as paid staff from 2020–2024, and finished his time with us as a volunteer from 2024–2026.

🔥 DYLAN MCDOUGALL
2009–2026

Dylan dedicated 17 years to the Montesano Fire Department. From 2009 through 2026, he answered the call, served alongside his crew, and gave his time to protect and help the people of our community.

Four different paths. Different chapters. The same commitment to serve.

The fire service has a way of becoming part of who you are. The friendships, the stories, the calls you never forget, the ones you wish you could forget, the laughs around the station, and the people you stood beside through it all.

Dean, Stephen, Jeff, and Dylan — thank you.

Thank you for answering the bell.
Thank you for giving your time.
Thank you for standing beside your brothers and sisters.
And most importantly, thank you for serving the people of Montesano.

Your time on the roster may be coming to an end, but the impact you’ve made doesn’t.

From all of us at Montesano Fire Department — congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for a job well done.

🚒 Once a firefighter, always family. ❤️

10/05/2026

Tis the season. Thank you in advance for everyone's support to such a great cause.

09/29/2026

What does Proposition 1 mean for Montesano, and what’s at stake?

Chief Busz breaks it down in this interview. Take a few minutes to listen and learn more about this Basic City Levy Renewal.

🎙️ Chief Busz joined the radio this morning to talk about Proposition 1 (City Basic Levy Renewal) and what it means for the Montesano community.

Missed the interview? Listen to the full conversation here: https://soundcloud.com/pat-anderson-719612266/montesano-fire-chief-dave-busz