From College Intern to full time Firefighter Cassie Knierim is ready to work

After recent federal grant funding allowed for a series of promotions across the shifts of Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, we didn't have to go far to fill the final void at the Firefighter rank.  Starting April 8th, our very own college intern Cassandra "Cassie" Knierim will make the switch and join our full time Firefighter ranks. 

With the anticipation of grant moneys impacting the department's ranks, FGF&R began a competitive hiring process last fall that brought around 100 candidates from all across the Pacific Northwest into Forest Grove for testing.  After achieving one of the highest scores on what candidates described as a "grueling" written test, Cassie was invited back for the physical evaluation and oral interview board where she continued to excel, wowing the interview panel to earn a final one on one interview with Fire Chief Michael Kinkade.

Upon completing interviews with the final five candidates, Chief Kinkade first went to Chad Toomey to fill the initial firefighter opening, but when another position opened he knew immediately that Cassie was the right fit for Forest Grove Fire & Rescue and the community of Forest Grove.  For starters the twenty four year old avid outdoors enthusiast brings a tremendous amount of ability and education to Forest Grove.  Part of what set Cassie apart is her tremendous knowledge and education, she earned a degree in physics from Montana State University, and completed an internship focused on firefighter safety tools with the National Institute of Standards and Technology.  During her interviews Cassie referenced how her educational background and science knowledge was something she that she believed separated her from other candidates, and that she had future goals of using these experiences to bring a more scientific look at how firefighters do things.  As the fire service has evolved and continues to change, we expect that Cassie's science background will be able to improve not only firefighter safety but our way of responding to emergencies in Forest Grove.  Cassie will be initially assigned to a training regiment to help transition her from intern to paid firefighter, but once she completes that process she will join one of our three shifts where she will be the second full time female firefighter in the 119 year history of our agency.

Welcome aboard Cassie, we are excited to work with you!