Starting his career in 2010, Adam has been deeply involved in many aspects of fire and EMS. After an intensive internship in the Midwest as a structural firefighter, Adam began paramedic school while subsequently working as a seasonal wildland firefighter in Wisconsin. Upon completion of paramedic school, Adam continued working as a seasonal wildland firefighter in various regions throughout the US including the Midwest, Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest. Adam has experience in prescribed fire, engine operations, helitack, helirappel, and initial attack operations. Besides wildland experience, he also brings a background in remote medicine. While working as a career firefighter/paramedic in the Skagit Valley, Adam continues to maintain his wildland qualifications.

Josh started in wildland fire in 2008 with the North Cascades National Park. For the following two years he went out on state mobilizations with Skagit County Fire District 3 as a firefighter/EMT before joining the Baker River Hotshot crew in 2011. Mr. Etringer spent the next seven summer fire seasons working on the hotshot crew, gaining valuable experience and time on fires. His time with Baker River IHC was spent largely on the saw team, also serving as lead EMT for the crew. Today Josh serves as an Assistant Fire Unit Manager for NW Region DNR, and goes out on fires as an IC Type 4, Task Force Leader, or single resource boss. His wife and young son keep him a bit closer to home, as does hunting and their large garden. Josh’s instruction background includes extensive time teaching and coordinating both structural and wildland fire topics, as well as EMT level training. As an NWCG certified instructor he has led numerous training sessions for both the USFS and WA DNR in chainsaw operations, medevac, backfiring, and state fire academy, along with county fire academy instruction.

Erik attended the College of the Siskiyou Fire Academy in 2008. Upon graduation in 2009, he began his career on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest (California). He was hired on to a Type 3 engine out of McCloud, California. In 2011, he detailed as an apprentice with the Shasta Lake Interagency Hotshots. During that time he knew he loved the crew life and continued as a senior on SLIHC. After 6 years on the SLIHC, he was hired as a squad boss position on the Mount Baker Initial Attack Crew. This brough him back to his home state of Washington. Through hard work and dedication, Erik is now the handcrew captain. Erik holds the qualifications of CRWB, ENGB, FIRB, HEQB, ICT4, TFLD-t. Outside of work, Erik enjoys weightlifting, running, health & fitness, hiking, skiing, playing pool, international travel, and yoga.

Meet Ehren Phillips, our experienced instructor who brings a wealth of firefighting expertise to our team. With a background spanning over a decade, Ehren began their journey in 2009 as a Wildland Firefighter with the WADNR. Over the years, they honed their skills on engines and hand crews, transitioning to roles with the Forest Service, including serving as a Senior Firefighter and sawyer with Entiat IHC.

In 2020, Ehren embraced the challenge of smokejumping at North Cascades Smokejumper Base, where they spent two seasons before a significant life change shifted their focus. Welcoming their daughter in 2021, they realized the importance of being present for family milestones, leading them to transition to structure firefighting.

Since joining Kirkland Fire Department in 2022, Ehren continues to share their expertise while balancing their passion for firefighting with family life. During summer months, they remain active in line qualifications, ensuring they stay connected to their roots while embracing new responsibilities. Off-duty, you can find Ehren enjoying quality time with their wife and daughter, or pursuing their shared love for birding in the Northwest.

Meet Chris Ramiskey, our dedicated instructor with a passion for the outdoors and a love for family. Originally from Oregon, Chris has called Washington home for the past 15 years. With two daughters who are the center of his world, Chris finds joy in spending time with them, making them his primary hobby.

In his free time, Chris enjoys fishing and playing ball sports, finding solace and excitement in the great outdoors. He eagerly anticipates the opportunity to teach and expose his daughters to the wonders of salmon and steelhead fishing as they grow older, harboring a hope that they'll share his passion for angling. Chris brings his enthusiasm for outdoor pursuits and family values to our team, enriching our learning environment with his experiences and insights.

I am an engine captain on a Type 3 engine with the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. I got my start in fire on an engine based out of Darrington, WA in 2004. The next season I got onto the Baler River IHC where is spent four seasons. I moved over to the MBS-IA crew in 2009 where I acted as a squad leader for five seasons. In 2014 I came to the MBS North Zone Engine program where I have been ever since.

I am a C certifier and one of the Forest saw coordinators for the Mt Baker-Snoqialmie.

2024 will be Joshua’s seventh year in fire.. He’s qualified as an engine boss and currently works out of the Northwest Region of the DNR. He’s currently working on his Type 4 Incident commander and Heavy Equipment Boss.

In his time off, Joshua enjoys fishing for salmon, foraging for chanterelles, lobsters, and other mushrooms, relaxing with online gaming, and international travel.

Shannon Clark is the current Wildland District Manager for the Washington Department of Natural Resources Wildland program in Northwest Region. This area covers Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, and San Juan counties with a small portion of King County located around Skykomish.

Shannon has a Bachelor’s Degree with an Emphasis in production management from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. He worked as a consulting forestry technician in various locations across California including Arcata, Eureka, Redding, Grass Valley, Tahoe, and San Diego County for several years prior to relocating to Washington in 2004 for an opportunity to help manage lands with the DNR.

Since joining the DNR in January of 2004 Shannon has worked in Presales (2004-2008), Forest Practices 2008-2021, and in the Wildland Program as first the Training/Dispatch Coordinator from 2021-2022 and most recently as the District Manager.

Shannon has been involved with Wildland Fire as a ready reserve member since 2004. He spent a season as a squad boss on the DNR’s Ahtanum Hand Crew in 2006, he was

a member of the Redmond Hotshot Crew in 2007, and ran an engine for Northwest Region DNR in 2010. Shannon is qualified as an IC4, CRWB, ENGB, FELB, HEQB, STEN, TFLD, and is currently pursuing his DIVS.

When not at work Shannon enjoys spending time with his wife April and three children. He especially enjoys spending summer "free" time on Lake Whatcom or mountain biking the trails of the PNW. Just about any given weekend in the winter you can find Shannon at Mount Baker Ski Area with his youngest son.