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.

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.

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.