In Olympia on Sunday, two eastern Washington firefighters received recognition far from home at the Washington State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. Captain David Phay of the Spokane Valley Fire Department and Captain Troy Phillips of the Northport Fire Department, both with several decades of fire service, were honored Sunday at the Washington State Capitol. It’s hard to say goodbye to friends and colleagues, but it’s easier to remember and honor them.
Phay served 29 years as a paramedic and captain with Spokane Valley Fire. His service ended in 2018, when he passed away from an on-the-job illness, known as HLH, according to the Washington State Council of Firefighters. Meanwhile, Phillips of Northport was a captain and engineer who passed away in 2023 after serving 35 years as a volunteer firefighter. Chief David Glanville says Stevens County Fire District 11 and Northport Fire Department are entirely operated by volunteers, proving how integral Captain Phillips was to the community.
Chief Glanville remembers Phillips as jovial and everybody’s friend. “He was there with the truck, there with the water, and there with the leadership too,” said Chief Glanville. “I think his confidence and his friendship gave confidence to other firefighters that had been fairly new and made everything we did more effective.”
Chief Glanville says members of the international association of firefighters motorcycle group traveled to Northport to receive Captain Phillips’ memorial ribbon, which was then hung on the fallen firefighters memorial pike pole in Olympia.
The department also named the newest Stevens County Fire District station the Troy Phillips Memorial Station to honor his decades of service. The ceremony at the state capitol also included a traditional bell ceremony and plaque presentations to the families of Captain Phillips and Captain Phay in honor of their service and sacrifice.
KREM-TV CBS 2 Spokane
The post Two Eastern WA firefighters honored at the Washington State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service appeared first on Daily Dispatch.