Employee Spotlight

Nicole Frisch 

Education: University of Washington – BA Psychology

Job Title: Executive Assistant/Board Secretary

Why did you come to work at Woodinville Fire & Rescue? 

• I knew someone that worked for the District; they enjoyed the people and atmosphere at Woodinville. When the position opened up, I took the opportunity to apply. I feel so fortunate to work here. I have a job that I love and people I like working with on a daily basis. It’s a rewarding place to work.

What would you want people to know about firefighting or working for a Fire District? 

• It takes a lot to keep the department running. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t realize. Things like managing contracts, maintaining relationships with other agencies, and making sure bills are paid on time. These are things people don’t often think about when they think about their Fire District.

You work behind the scenes; what do you do for the District?

• As Executive Assistant to the Fire Chief, most of my time is spent working directly with Chief Ahearn. I organize his schedule and prepare him for meetings. I am also a project manager of sorts; I take on projects such as our Boundary Review Board process, coordinating vacation/holiday scheduling for the crews, and communicating with our legal team. I focus on process improvement in and around the District. As secretary for our District Board of Commissioners, my main focus is meeting organization, prep, and record keeping.

What do you value about the fire service?

• In Woodinville, we take the time to cultivate relationships with community members. I think the connection that the Fire District has with the city is extraordinary. It touches aspects of every business with things like permitting, schools and classrooms with fire safety education, and community groups by providing space to meet. People don’t often think of the things beyond the big red trucks, but it’s so much more than that.

What is your most memorable moment here?

• I have a few memorable moments from working here. Climbing the ladder on the ladder truck was an experience. You can see for miles from up there; it’s an adventure for sure. We hosted a leadership retreat a few years ago, and I had the opportunity to take part in my first year here at Woodinville Fire & Rescue. It was amazing to see the compassion and energy in the leadership roles. It made me realize how special this organization is and how dedicated they are to their community.

What do you enjoy about being a part of the Woodinville Community?

• It’s a lovely town. There is a lot of wine here, so that is something I enjoy.  I love making lunchtime trips to Haggen. I find the people of Woodinville friendly and welcoming. I don’t live in the area, so it’s a nice retreat. It’s a beautiful place with a lot to offer, yet it still feels homey.