Meet Your Firefighters

by Ron Dawson, EJFR Community Outreach Volunteer

Jason MacDonald

Meet Jason MacDonald, battalion chief on shift “A” for East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR). He was promoted to deputy fire chief, effective July 1, to replace the retiring Pete Brummel. Jason was promoted after a prominent firm specializing in the recruitment of executive leadership in government conducted a comprehensive review of candidates scouted from across the West.

Jason started his career while in high school as a cadet firefighter. He joined the Port Townsend Fire Department in 1996 at age 16. In 1998 he became a volunteer firefighter/EMT then a career firefighter in 2003. In 2009, after his promotion to lieutenant, Jason took paramedic training at Harborview Medical Center, the first paramedic trainee from East Jefferson. He was promoted to battalion chief in 2021.

Originally from Port Townsend, Jason now lives in Port Ludlow with his wife Blair, whom he met while both attended Western Washington University. The MacDonalds have two children, Harper, nine, and Henry, six. Jason is a third generation

firefighter; both his grandfather and father were volunteers in the Port Townsend fire service. Sitting in a firetruck at age three when his family visited the fire station, Jason dreamed of being a firefighter.

Jason enjoys the spontaneity of the work at EJFR. Never knowing what problems need solving, or what else the day will bring, stimulates him. The hardest part of the job is dealing with the grief that comes from lives lost or irreparably harmed.

Jason remembers an incident, years ago, where he was called to administer CPR to a patient who was in distress. It was his grade school principal. Jason succeeded in reviving the gentleman, and it gave him the satisfaction of knowing he’d returned the kindness his principal had shown him when he was young. Very satisfying.

Jason would like to continue to grow in his role as deputy fire chief and take the classes that will benefit him in his assignment. He looks forward to continuing to support the residents of East Jefferson County.

Away from the job, Jason is interested in old cars and camping. He enjoys playing with his young daughter and son and building relationships vital to his family.