Board of Fire Commissioners

Dean Thornberry

Fire Commissioner Dean Thornberry was appointed to the Fire District 3 Board of Fire Commissioners Aug. 8, 2022.

Dean spent 25 years in fire service, including 12 years with Clark County Fire District 3. He retired in 2016 as deputy chief at East County Fire and Rescue. Thornberry is a lifelong Clark County resident. He grew up in Ridgefield but now lives with his wife in the city of Battle Ground. He has two children and two grandchildren. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, and woodworking.

Jon Couture

Fire Commissioner Jon Couture was elected to the Fire District 3 Board of Fire Commissioners in 2007.

Jon has three grown children and three grandchildren, and lives in Hockinson with his wife Jeannie. Jon and Jeannie recently celebrated their 53th wedding anniversary. Jon was born in Connecticut, and grew up in Massachusetts and Southern California. He has lived in Washington since 1978.

Jon served as Service and Parts Director at Ray Reece dealerships in Portland for 31 years until the company was sold in 2010. He completed numerous training and certification programs, including the General Motors Institute, Volkswagen Management, Isuzu Management, and Hyundai Management. He also serves on the Volkswagen Service Council. He now manages the largest Utility trailer sales company in the Northwest, located in Portland.

Jon has been with Fire District 3 since the summer of 1988. His fellow firefighters have selected him Volunteer Firefighter of the Year seven times. He is active in many community groups and has led a Men’s Ministry for 12 years. His favorite hobby is collecting, restoring, and displaying relics of the “Old West”. His passion is serving others and the community.

Jon has a strong personal connection to our community. He believes in the importance of efficient and cost effective emergency services. Jon brings years of private industry perspective and experience to the Board.

Rick Steele

BOARD CHAIR

Fire Commissioner Rick Steele was appointed to the Fire District 3 Board of Fire Commissioners in 2018.

Rick has been a Clark County resident his entire life. Rick has lived in Hockinson with his wife Jill for 30 years. They have two grown children and two grandchildren. Rick enjoys traveling with his wife Jill in their motor home to national parks
all over the nation. When at home, they both love to work in their yard and garden in the Venersburg area of Clark County.

Rick retired from the Vancouver Fire Department in January of 2018 after 33 years of service as a firefighter, captain, and battalion chief.

Rick’s main hobby is coaching football at Hockinson High School where he has been the head coach for 14 years. It is an honor to coach the young men of this community

Rick looks forward to serving the citizens of Fire District 3 and the members of this very fine fire department.