After years of leading Sequim’s firefighters, paramedics and community emergency volunteers, a pair of District 3 chiefs were officially inaugurated into the small pantheon of past chiefs.
Coworkers, family and friends paid their respects at an official retirement ceremony for Ben Andrews and Dan Orr on March 27, as led by newly-hired District 3 chief Justin Grider.
Andrews started as fire chief in August 2015, replacing retiring chief Steve Vogel. He first served with Jefferson County Fire District 3 (Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue) before joining Sequim in 2003.
In giving thanks to his fellow fire district staffers and family, Andrews said he was inspired and learned much from those close by, even those who challenged him. He gave particular thanks to a pair of former Fire District 3 chief in attendance: Vogel and Tom Lowe, who proceeded Vogel as the district’s leader.
“I’m grateful for the chiefs who have led me,” Andrews said.
“You need great people to make yourself look good … and Ben was perfect,” Vogel said, adding, “it was an honor to have you work for me.”
Orr started with the fire district in December 2015, replacing retiring assistant chief Roger Moeder. He started with the Pismo Beach Fire Department in 1985, and served 15 years with the Santa Maria Fire Department, serving as its fire chief for four years.
Orr took on the interim title earlier this year after Andrews exercised an option in his contract last April to work remotely until retiring.
Vogel praised Orr’s efforts to help establish the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.
“You have made our community safe,” Vogel told Orr.
As well-wishers crowded inside the district’s North Fifth Avenue station, fire commissioner Michael Mingee asked Andrews and Orr to consider the impact they’ve had on Sequim.
“This is your legacy; look at what this district has become. You guys did this,” Mingee said.
“Thank you for the wonderful resources ; we will take care of it.”
A day later, the district also said “so long” to longtime firefighter/EMT Scott Dickson, who is moving out of state.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Outgoing Fire District 3 chiefs Dan Orr, left, and Ben Andrews listen as they are lauded by colleagues at a March 27 ceremony in Sequim.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Outgoing Fire District 3 chief Ben Andrews is congratulated by current District3 chief Justin Grider at a March 27 ceremony in Sequim.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Outgoing Fire District 3 chief Ben Andrews is congratulated by current District3 chief Justin Grider at a March 27 ceremony in Sequim.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Outgoing Fire District 3 chiefs Dan Orr, left, and Ben Andrews listen as they are lauded by colleagues at a March 27 ceremony in Sequim.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Dan Orr thanks colleagues, family and friends as he and fellow outgoing Fire District 3 chief Ben Andrews (foreground) are lauded at a March 27 ceremony in Sequim.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Outgoing District 3 interim chief Dan Orr gets a hearty thanks from current chief Justin Grider; deputy chief Tony Hudson is in the background.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Outgoing Fire District 3 chief Ben Andrews gets some honors and a thank-you from deputy chief Tony Hudson at a March 27 ceremony.
