East Pierce Fire and Rescue Fire Commissioner Rick Kuss was presented with the prestigious “Bill Jarmon Lifetime Achievement Award” at the annual banquet of the Pierce County Fire Chiefs’ and Fire Commissioners’ Association on Dec. 4 at the Tacoma Country Club.

The annual award is named in honor of William “Bill” Jarmon, an exceptionally involved fire commissioner for Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One. It is given to a Pierce County fire commissioner who most embodies Jarmon’s community involvement and dedication to the fire service.

Kuss was honored for his long-time service as a commissioner and his efforts to seek authorization from citizens to increase the number of fire commissioners at East Pierce from five to seven. That vote was approved last fall.

Kuss has been a fire commissioner since 1989, first with the Lake Tapps Fire Department, then with East Pierce when Lake Tapps, the City of Bonney Lake Fire Department and Pierce County Fire District No. 24 joined in 2000 to create East Pierce Fire and Rescue. He was the chair for 17 years, before stepping down from that position last year. He has served as past president of the Pierce County Fire Commissioners’ Association.

Fire commissioners are elected by the public to represent their fire district. The East Pierce board meets monthly to set budgets, establish policy and provide administrative oversight. All regular meetings of the East Pierce board of commissioners are held on the third Tuesday of the month, beginning at 7 p.m. at the headquarters station, 18421 Veterans Memorial Drive East.

The “Bill Jarmon Lifetime Achievement Award” will be displayed at the East Pierce headquarters station for a year.