VIFR Board of Commissioners Candidate Tamalyn Nigretto | Diverse fire service calls for special leadership
Published 12:08 pm Tuesday, October 6, 2015
By Tamalyn Nigretto
This fire commissioner position would be both challenging and rewarding, and I am confident that my organizational and interpersonal skills acquired throughout my 28 years as a member of the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) would be an asset to the position and to the Vashon fire department.
My organizational and interpersonal skills enable me to create an atmosphere that inspires others to achieve their full potential. Currently, I hold the rank of battalion chief in the operations division and have served as the health and safety officer. My direction surpasses instruction and includes the inspirational support needed by others I have mentored to be successful in their most challenging moment.
Today in the fire service diversity and the contributions of people from all backgrounds bring depth and strength to a department. As a woman in the fire service, I have been exposed to views and ideologies that do not reflect my own. I have used these situations as opportunities to examine our fire service culture through open, respectful dialog, and I have helped others to gain a greater understanding as to how a multicultural, dual-gender workforce can benefit the organization and the community we serve.
I have diversified my career with varied assignments that include being a member of the SFD Strategic Planning Committee, chair of the SFD Promotional Committee, International Association of Fire Fighter-certified fire ground survival instructor, member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team and health and safety officer.
With the complexity and speed at which the county, region and world can change, we need to be more proactive in the design and implementation of disaster preparedness, response, resources and responsibilities. We need to construct a new model for deployment of our limited resources and a new culture — a culture that truly recognizes our strengths and limitations. How we navigate and communicate our long-range strategic plans and needs in the world of limited resources and changing climate has become paramount to meeting our community expectations and needs.
As Vashon Island Fire & Rescue moves forward with the proposed transition to become part of the South King County Medic One system, there will be a need for financial adjustments and priority changes along the way. This transition brings the Vashon fire department back into alignment with all other Medic One programs and is long overdue. I hope to use my time within a union and my six years as a former executive board member with Local 2898 to facilitate this transition where I can.
As a member of this community and as a potential commissioner, I strongly support the efforts of the Vashon fire department volunteers. My own family has been positively impacted by the actions of volunteer firefighters, and I look forward to working with other members of the department and community in strengthening the program for new and tenured volunteer members.
— Tamalyn Nigretto is running for Position 3 on the Vashon Island Fire & Rescue board
