Volunteer Spotlight: Jay Matsen

Name: Jay Matsen
Title: Instructor
Department Name: Quileute Fire Department
Location: Forks, WA

Why are you an NVFC member?
(1) To support national organization, (2) networking, (3) insurance benefits, (4) educational opportunities and, (5) community service.

What is your occupation?
Accountant

Why are you a fire service volunteer?
Originally, it was an opportunity to maintain my EMT certification. Now [it is because I] enjoy the fire/EMS community and people. [It is an] opportunity to “give back to the community” and help people in need. It’s fun. I get out of the office with four walls.

What year did you join the fire or emergency services?
1989

What are your memorable moments as a firefighter or EMS provider?
First fire and first aid calls. First CPR save. Finding first lost person. Finding first survivor of an aircraft crash. Coming on to an injured hiker scene and finding one of my first aid students (mountaineering oriented first aid) had already taken care of patient – all we had to do was perform the evacuation. First one skid helicopter rescue. Loading a person having a myocardial infarction, at a remote lake, into a hovering helicopter since there was no safe place to land. Helicopter medivacs from remote locations on wildland fires. The patients and lost people who didn’t make it. LOD memorials.

What contributions have you (and your department) made in your community?
Closer to family members of lost individuals.

Interested in serving your community? Find volunteer fire service opportunities at www.makemeafirefighter.org.