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DALKENA — Colleagues and friends of firefighter Tom Watson celebrated the end of a 25-year career at Pend Oreille County Fire District 4’s administration building in Dalkena Saturday, Dec. 13.
“Tom has served the citizens of Pend Oreille County selflessly since 2000, and has been a part of many changes over that time,” Fire District 4 Fire Chief Robert Webber said in a news release announcing Watson’s retirement. He originally started at Newport Fire Department where he served in multiple roles including Fire Chief. When Newport contracted its fire rescue services to Fire District 4, Watson stayed on and was a reliable responder in Newport, bringing with him vast knowledge of the buildings and people within the City.
At his retirement party, Watson recalled several big incidents he had responded to, and thanked his family for supporting him over the years.
Webber thanked Watson for his “selfless commitment to the citizens he served,” and thanked Watson’s family for “allowing us to steal him away from you on nights, weekends, birthdays and holidays.” Webber went on to say that “most people only get a chance a couple of times in their life to work with a person of such high character, and I am extremely grateful that I was blessed with the opportunity to get to know and work with you.”
Other members of the fire district and guests went on to also praise Watson and reflect on how he was always calm, dependable, knowledgeable and a mentor.
