Cathlamet, Washington Fire Chief Jerry DeBriae Announces Retirement

Jerry DeBriae, Cathlamet’s long-serving fire chief, has announced his retirement after more than four decades in command of the Town’s all-volunteer firefighters.
“This is the time for me to go,” he told volunteers at their monthly meeting on Thursday evening. “Our department is solid. It will survive forever. I’d like to thank all the volunteers who have been here with me.”
DeBriae joined the department 52 years ago, at age 16. Under his leadership, the department expanded its capacity to extinguish structure fires, established a Wildland Unit to support state mobilizations against forest fires and provided EMS services to much of Wahkiakum County.
In 2006-08, Chief DeBriae built and donated to the Town a new fire hall, replacing its original 1930s-era facility at a cost of approximately $1 million.

“It’s an incredible record of service, from a very generous man” said Cathlamet Mayor George Wehrfritz. “Chief DeBriae built a modern fire department, oversaw the creation of a first-rate ambulance service and made immeasurable contributions to public safety. The department is his legacy.”
On Friday, Mayor Wehrfritz announced two fire department appointments. To replace Chief DeBriae, he promoted Fred Johnson, the department’s former Executive Assistant Chief. Beau Renfro, who until recently commanded the department’s EMS division, was promoted to Executive Assistant Chief.
“Both promotions were made on Chief DeBriae’s recommendation,” said Wehrfritz. “The department remains in very capable hands.”
Established in 1932, the Cathlamet Fire Department is an all-volunteer force with 56 active members