West Thurston Regional Fire Authority

In April, former Citizen Advisory Chairman Dave Pethia was appointed to fill the remaining term of retiring Commissioner Frank Hamilton. Newly appointed Commissioner Pethia will serve the remaining term as Fire District 11 Commissioner and West Thurston RFA Governing Board member.

In 2002 Dave and his wife Katie built a home in Fire District 11 (Field of Dreams) and shortly after became supporters of Fire District 11. That led to Dave becoming the Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee.

Commissioner Dave Pethia attended college at Colorado State University. In 1960 he entered flight training in the U.S. Navy where he flew a variety of aircraft and retired as a Lt. Commander. In 1966 he began a career of flying Boeing 707 with Northwest Airlines. Before retiring in 1995 from Northwest Airlines he had flown Boeing 727's, 747's, DC-10's and married his favorite flight attendant. Commissioner Pethia and his wife Katie have two daughters who live close by in Olympia. As an airline pilot Dave worked with the Airline Pilots Association as an Air Safety Chairman and Accident Investigator. The Pethias have resided in many communities including Issaquah, Friday harbor, Bellevue and Ellensburg before settling in Olympia for the past 32 years. They also farmed on San Juan Island and Ellensburg during their free time raising corn, timothy, small grains and cattle.

The Pethias have participated three times in an International 1000 mile race to Alaska, the longest sanctioned power boat race. On The third attempt in 1999 they won the cups which were on display in the Capital Dome.