Department Administration
Our Department Hisotry
The Granite Falls Volunteer Fire Department was formed on April 10th, 1907.
Between 1907 and 1957 when the department was run under the direction of the City of Granite Falls we have little records or information.
In 1957 Snohomish County Fire District 17 was formed and shared the fire station with the Granite Falls Fire Department. At this time Jerry Stilley was the Fire Chief for the City of Granite Falls and also became the Fire Chief for the District.
In 1959 the fire district purchased its first apparatus, a used 1950 Diamond T Fire Engine.
In 1960 fire phones were installed by the telephone company at strategic locations around the area. An emergency number was dialed and all 10 phones rang until someone answered the call and was able to alert the firefighters by sounding the station siren.
In 1961 the departments operating budget was $ 2,965.44. In 1961 a local home was lost due to the limited capacity of water hauled by the fire engine and shortly thereafter the district purchased a 1941 two and a half ton GMC tank truck for $ 300.00.
In 1966 the Fire District purchased the Scott Paper shop for use as the new District fire station in the amount of $ 4,500.00, this is the same building that we occupy today.
In 1971 the City of Granite Falls contracted with Fire District 17 for fire and EMS services within the city limits. Also, in 1971 a 1946 Buffalo pumper was purchased from the city of Kirkland to replace the 1929 Pirsch in the amount of $ 1,760.00 and at the same time two SCBA’s were purchased to use during structure fires. The SCBA’s were the first airpacks that the city or district had ever owned.
In 1972 the Board of Fire Commissioners entertained the idea of using “older, qualified high school boys becoming members of the fire department” and in 1974 with the help of Chief Stilley and school teacher Ron Camp the first group of high school students served as volunteer firefighters.In 1992 the high school program was terminated due to changes in the child labor laws.
In 1975 two volunteer firefighters were trained as the District’s first EMT’s.In 1975 the General Telephone Company donated a service van to the Fire District to be used as the District’s first ambulance.
In 1979 the Board of Fire Commissioners approved a major remodel project for the fire station. Also, in 1979, due to the annual alarm count, the district contracts with SNOPAC for dispatching services.
In 1986 the district hired Rick Hjelle as their first full-time employee.
In 1987 the Fire District annexed the City of Granite Falls into their protection area. Also in 1987 Jerry Stilley retired as Fire Chief but continued to serve as a volunteer firefighter until 1992 marking 45 years of service to the fire department. Clyde Neaville, a resident of Fire District 17 and Seattle Firefighter/Paramedic was appointed Fire Chief and served until 1989 at which time Rick Hjelle was appointed Fire Chief.
In 2001 station 87 was damaged due to the February 28th Nisqually Earthquake and shortly thereafter station 86 was opened in April.
2001 - E-04 was purchased used from King County Fire District 45 to replace E-01 (1720). The total annual call volume was 1172.
2002 - The Assessed Valuation for the Fire District was 614,103,555.00, E-05 was placed into service, two additional full-time firefighters were hired bringing the total number of FTE’s to 8 and PTE’s to 27. A minimum staffing policy of 3 personnel was adopted by the Board. Mrs. Lois Jorgenson donated 4 lots (north of the parking area at station 87) to the Fire District. Assistant Chief Jesse James retired after 25 years of service. The annual call volume was 1301.
2003 - The annual call volume was 1361. The Fire District received a FEMA AFG grant in the amount of $ 137,119. The grant funded radio’s, equipment and installation for the 800 MHz radio system, a MSA RIT pack and a Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC).
2004 - The annual call volume was 1446. The Fire District received a FEMA AFG grant in the amount of $ 27,147. The grant funded the station generator at station 87. Firefighter Larry Petersen retired from the district after serving 25 years. The Jordan Wall Fire started on August 2nd and burned for weeks.
2005 - The annual call volume was 1540. The assessed valuation was $ 792,547,854.00 The Fire District received a FEMA AFG grant in the amount of $ 202,786 for the purchase of T-02. Station 87 received a remodel of the kitchen and radio room. Memorial service for Retired Fire Chief Jerry Stilley.
2006 - T-02 was placed into service. T-01 was transferred to Fire District 23 under a Interlocal-Agreement. Christmas house provided toys for over 500 children throughout our fire district. The annual alarm total hit an all-time high of 1700 calls.
2007 - The department celebrated its 100 year anniversary. The annual call volume was 1527. The fire district purchased 2 acres on East Galena for a future station site. The Fire District received a FEMA AFG grant in the amount of $ 158,650. The grant funded new SCBA’s and a compressed air fill system. The district also received a FEMA Fire Prevention grant in the amount of $ 10,500 to implement a code development/enforcement program.
2008 - The annual call volume was 1447. E-06 was delivered but not yet placed into service due to multiple complications. The Fire District received a FEMA AFG grant in the amount of $ 61,984. The grant funded new hydraulic extrication equipment, a washer/extractor and new bunker gear.
2009 - The annual call volume was 1486. E-06 was placed into service. The citizens of FD17 approve a six year EMS levy.