MESSAGE FROM THE LEAD ADVISOR
​PSRFA Emergency Management Division Chief (Ret.)

​JOHN MADSON

​"The rewards or incentives that keeps me involved and motivated is to see the young folks that enter the program at the age of 14-15 years old, and then leave at 19-20 with confidence, motivation, maturity and a plan for the future ..."

"​I started as a Fire Explorer myself in 1976, with King County Fire District #2, Burien FD. My family has been involved in the Fire Department since 1947: my Dad was one of the original members of KCFPD #24 Angle lake FD, and my brother joined in 1976.

I became a volunteer firefighter with Angle Lake in 1979. Soon after, the Explorer Post in Burien (Post-911) closed, allowing me to start Post #24 at Angle Lake with the help of the Chiefs and other members in 1980. I have been a career firefighter since 1981, working myself up to the current rank of Division Chief in Emergency Management with the now Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority. Angle Lake Explorer Post 24 became SeaTac Explorer Post 24 in the 1990's and is the oldest active Fire Program in the Country to our knowledge. SeaTac Post 24 has since consolidated with three other departments to form the Zone 3 Fire Explorers and as of February 1, 2020, is now the Zone 3 Fire Cadets. The other departments which consolidated with SeaTac Post 24 are Post 51-Tukwila Fire Department, Post 14-Renton Regional Fire Authority and Post 81-Maple Valley Fire and Life Safety, which is now known as Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority. Additionally, to further build up interested youth in an educational setting, The Puget Sound Skill Center Fire & Emergency services program was developed in 2004 and continues with support and sponsorship from the Zone 3 Fire Cadets.

The rewards or incentives that keep me involved and motivated is to see the young folks that enter the program at the age of 14-15 years old, and then leave at 19-20 with confidence, motivation, maturity and a plan for the future that they did not have when they joined our program. In addition is the life-long relationships, the life skills, and good moral character that is developed.

"Any youth interested in Fire or Emergency services who aspire to belong to a quality group of young men and women that provide excellent community services and support to the local Fire, EMS, Police Departments or hope to attain life skills and positive relationships, you should look into our programs".

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FIRE & Emergency Services Courses

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​REGISTER FOR 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR at PUGET SOUND SKILLS CENTER

2023-2024 Registration information is available here on our Partnerships page

Learn more about our sister program, The Puget Sound Skills Center Fire & Emergency Services Cadet Program

Past PSSC Cadet Leadership next to our Engine 3

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​The Zone 3 Fire Cadets would like to thank our Sponsors and other
​Supporting Agencies for their continued Partnerships and Support.
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​
"THANK YOU"​

Sponsors Cadet Post 24 in SeaTac Originally Established 1980

Sponsors Cadet Post 51 in Tukwila Originally Established 1986

Sponsors Cadet Post 14 in Renton

Fire District 43 Sponsors Cadet Post 81 in Maple Valley

Partners in South King County REHAB and Training

Association Members

Regional 9-1-1 Center for South King County

⬑ Click on the logos for their websites ⬏

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Interested in a career as a Firefighter and you are ready to take your exam? Our area Fire Agencies have teamed up to create an exclusive online Firefighter exam at www.wafirecareers.org. Follow the link for more information.

Wa Fire Careers