Methow Station Fire Chief Nolan Tonseth hangs up helmet

BREWSTER – Methow Fire Station Chief Nolan Tonseth is hanging up his helmet after a 29-year career as a volunteer with Douglas Okanogan County Fire District 15 (DOCFD 15). Citing continued toxicity, lack of leadership, and lack of communication, Tonseth tendered and read his letter of resignation to the Board of Commissioners at their monthly board meeting on March 10.

The fire district is comprised of five commissioners, Chris Bailey, Joe Kitzman, Tim Baird, Victor Vargas, and Alex Thomason. Both Kitzman and Vargas have previous firefighting experience. 

“It is with very mixed emotions that I have decided to take a break from volunteering for this agency,” said Tonseth, “There is a systemic issue baked into the current administration that is very frustrating to attempt working under.”

Tonseth pointed to “a continual lack of two-way communication that has existed for many years” as a principal complaint. “Many times for fire and EMS one figures out what is expected after one gets reprimanded for not doing what admin expects.”

Tonseth related specific examples of maintenance and fuel issues where a breakdown in communications frustrated him.

“In a very real way, this letter is a vote of a lack of confidence in those who are currently in leadership.”

DOCFD15 has been searching for a new district chief for the past two years to replace Bill Valance who retired two years ago and now serves as a paid consultant for the agency. Vallance’s wife, Tonya, is the current EMS Director. 

Tonseth addressed what he perceives as the district’s reluctance to widen the net for a district chief candidate from outside the area.

“You, the commissioners, have a sworn duty to lead this district,” said Tonseth. “Two years ago you were given notice that a new district chief needed to be hired.”

At the Jan. 27 meeting, Commissioners Alex Thomason and Joe Kitzman raised the adopted motion that the district proceed with Prothman Professional Services to advertise the combined position of District Chief/EMS Director. Thomason reminded Tonseth that retaining a firm specializing in recruitment should speed the process up.

Tonseth also expressed his disappointment that the district did not do more to help the late Ray Sandy, long time fire EMT and Pateros Station chief, who died of cancer on Nov. 2, 2024.

Tonseth said he inquired about financial assistance for firefighters who are diagnosed with certain types of cancer.

“I reached out…for the information,” said Tonseth, “I never got a response.”

Commissioner Thomason reminded Tonseth that he was the one who originally brought the financial assistance availability to the district’s attention, He suggested that Tonseth should have done more to bring Sandy’s situation to the commissioners’ attention.

“I brought it up so I could help,” said Thomason. “I’m disappointed you did not bring it up to me so I could help.

Board Secretary Kaylee Jensen added that as a public entity the district is not allowed to donate public funds and did not provide support financially to the Sandys.

“What you may not know is that we contacted the Board of Volunteer Firefighters and put them in contact with that family,” said Jensen. “So, we did our part in administration.”

Commissioner Baird concurred with Tonseth about communications issues in the district but also pointed out those problems are not unique to the agency.

“In my own company – a communications company – we joke all the time about how bad we are at communications,” said Baird. Referring to the sparse meeting attendance, he added, “It’s a two-way street. If more volunteers would come to our meetings, there would not be a lack of communication.”

Thomason thanked Tonseth for his dedication and forbearance.

“I hope you will give us another chance once we straighten things out,” said Thomason, acknowledging that a break might be necessary after 29 years of service. “We are working on the things you addressed.”

The fire district meets at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month in the Fire Administration Building, 412 W. Indian Avenue in Brewster. 

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media