SFD Mourning the loss of East Pierce Fire District Chief, Dan Packer

It is with the deepest sorrow and regret that I inform the Spokane Community that Chief Dan Packer, Fire Chief with East Pierce Fire & Rescue and the Washington Chief Association's Immediate Past President, died in a California Wildfire on Saturday, July 27, 2008. Chief Packer was deployed on Friday, July 26, 2008 and was serving as Division Supervisor in the Siskiyou mountains in Northern California. He was over run by the fire when the wind shifted unexpectedly.

Chief Packer served for several years with me on the Board of the Washington State Fire Chief's and has been highly involved in State Mobilization, Incident Management Team Programs and assisting the east side of the State on incidents. Chief Packer was a distinguished leader, greatly honored firefighter whom his department and community respected and he was personally a good friend.

Our Department's thoughts and prayers are with his family, the East Pierce Fire Department/Local 2877 & Local 3520 and the fire service to which he dedicated his life.

All Spokane Fire Department Facility flags have been lowered to half-staff from time of announcement until 24 hours after conclusion of services. All SFD members' uniform badges are shrouded from time of announcement until 24 hours after conclusion of services.

Asst. Chief Brian Schaeffer