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Resident Program

Cheney Fire Department
Resident Program

Left to Right:  Matt Jung, Shawn Friese, Ben Walters, Chris Munoz

General Information

The City of Cheney is located in the southwest area of Spokane County, approximately 20 miles southwest of Spokane, Washington.  The City of Cheney is the home of Eastern Washington University.  Cheney Fire Department is a combination career/volunteer department which provides full service fire protection, fire prevention, hazardous materials response, rescue, and emergency medical services to nearly 10,000 residents.  The department responds to approximately 1,100 calls annually out of one station.  The department is made up of the Fire Chief, Secretary, seven career fire officers, four Resident Firefighters, and approximately twenty Volunteer Firefighters.

Program Overview

The Cheney Fire Department Resident Firefighter Program is designed for students with an interest in the fire service, medical profession and /or enjoys helping others.  The student requirement for this position is a minimum enrollment of eight credits per quarter.  Resident Firefighters operate on the same shift rotation as the career officers, meaning they rotate on 24-hour shifts.  Shifts begin at 7:00 a.m.  Duty Resident Firefighters are required to be up and in uniform until they leave for classes.  Resident Firefighters are responsible for their shift days with exception of school and school related activities.

Resident Firefighters are an integral part of our department.  Not only do they provide much needed man power, they are responsible for station and apparatus maintenance.  In addition, Resident Firefighters are responsible for safe driving and operation of fire department vehicles to and from emergencies.  In return for their services, we provide them with complete living accommodations.  They are also a member of the Volunteer Association which means they receive the same incentives as the Volunteer Firefighters.    There are opportunities for the Resident Firefighters to make extra money by assisting the on-duty crews while off duty.  The opportunities would include responding to emergencies and other daily activities.  The department is currently equipped to house four Resident Firefighters.  Privacy is limited as all Resident Firefighters and career staff share common areas and a common sleeping area.  The fire station is a public building which brings in meetings and station tours from time to time.  The ability to coexist with others is an important part of being a Resident Firefighter.

Resident Firefighters are asked to give the department a two-year commitment.  The reason for the commitment is related to the cost required to have Resident Firefighters trained to perform the duties that are required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be eighteen (18) years of age upon appointment.
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must possess and maintain a Washington State Driver’s License, or capable of obtaining one upon appointment.
• Must be physically and mentally capable of performing the functions of a firefighter.
• Must be enrolled in college and maintain 8 minimum credits per quarter.

NOTE:  You do not need to be an Eastern Washington University student.  You may be a student at Gonzaga University, Whitworth College, Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College, or any other college accredited program in the Spokane area.

The program can be a positive career building experience.  Some of our former Resident Firefighters have moved onto the following organizations:

Cheney Fire Department
City of Spokane Fire Department
Spokane County Fire District #4
Spokane County Fire District #9
Spokane Valley Fire Department
Wenatchee Fire Department
King County Fire District #10
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Bozeman Fire Department
Dade County, Florida, EMS Director
American Medical Response
Physician, Pittsburg Steelers
Eastern Washington University Police Department
Washington State Patrol
Medical Lake Police Department
Cheney Police Department
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office
Kenai Police Department
Tacoma Fire Department
Bellevue Fire Department
Seattle Fire Department

For information on the Cheney Fire Departments resident program contact Donovan Cathey at 509-498-9270.