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.

Grew up in Oregon, have been in WA for the past 15 years. I have 2 Daughters now that are my world. They are my hobby these days, but I do love to fish and play ball sports in my free time. I look forward to teaching/exposing them to Salmon/Steelhead when they get a bit older and I selfishly hope they get as passionate about angling as I am!

After growing up in Bothell, WA and playing baseball through college, I spent 5 years working seasonally as a wildland firefighter across the western US. Worked for the DNR and Forest Service on a hand crew, Hotshot crew, and Rappel crew. I then spent two summers as a climbing and mountaineering guide and now work at Kirkland Fire Department. I like to spend most of my free time outside climbing, skiing, mountain biking, and trail running.

I began working in forestry and as a sawyer 2007. I got my start with the Nevada Conservation Corps, working on federal and state thinning projects around Nevada, California, and Idaho. After a brief stint with the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, I transitioned to the world of Wildland Fire in Missoula Montana on a handcrew in 2012 and never looked back. Fire has been my passion ever since. I now work on a Type 3 engine on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie Natl. Forest in Washington. I have continued to learn and hone my skills with a chainsaw along the way, becoming a “C” Faller in 2020. I was born and raised an avid Massachusetts sports fan and continue the tradition with my own children.