Meet Your Firefighters

By Ron Dawson, EJFR Volunteer

Meet Michael “Archie” Archuleta, Firefighter and E.M.T. with East Jefferson Fire and Rescue.

He has been a Firefighter since 2010, beginning his career in the Air Force, then working for the Navy as a civilian firefighter on Naval Magazine Indian Island. He volunteered with East Jefferson Fire and Rescue while working on Indian Island and enjoyed his association with EJFR. When he saw a job listing there, he applied for the position of firefighter.

Michael grew up in Texas and California, where his dad was in the Navy, and later he settled in Silverdale. He has been married to his wife, Carissa, since 2011, and they have three children, a girl age 9, a girl 8, and a 4-year-old boy. When he is off duty, he loves spending time with family, hiking outdoors, mountain biking, and camping.

He decided to be a firefighter when he was about 8 years old. He was being coached in youth soccer by a firefighter, and he thought it looked like a really great job. As he grew up and researched future careers, he realized that working in the fire service was the direction he wanted to take. To be able to help people when they need it, while working together with a strong team, is a privilege for which he is very grateful.

Two things he likes best about his job: First, showing up to help at any time, day or night, and working with his team to mitigate an emergency. Second, the life at a fire station, creating a work family with people that you really enjoy.

Mike’s most memorable events at EJFR are getting someone out of immediate danger or hearing that someone he’s helpedis recovering or has recovered. And he enjoys the excitement when kids yell at him to blow the air horn on his fire truck.