The Fort Lewis Extrication Team was formed in March of 2007. The mission of the team is threefold; first, to provide extrication instruction to department personnel. Second, to diligently train, compete and win extrication competitions held locally and abroad and third, to proudly represent the agency and it's personnel by demonstrating competence, skill and professionalism. The Team consists of seven professional firefighters and paramedics employed by Fort Lewis Fire & Emergency Services. Fort Lewis is a U.S. Army installation located near the City of Lakewood, which is approximately 8 miles south of the City of Tacoma, WA. The department responds to approximately 3,200 alarms per year ranging from structure fires to medical aid calls to motor vehicle accidents.  The agencies first due area spans 64 square miles with a population of approximately 40,000. This area of service includes all of Fort Lewis, Camp Murray and 15 miles of northbound and southbound U.S. Interstate 5 which runs through the center of the installation. The department also routinely responds to calls for mutual aid with the neighboring departments of Dupont, Lakewood and Central Pierce Fire and Rescue. Fort Lewis Fire and Emergency Services employs 56, full-time, paid Firefighter/EMT's and 7 Firefighter/Paramedics. The personnel respond from 5 strategically located stations. The five stations house four engine companies, a rescue, two aircraft crash vehicles, a water tender, haz-mat unit and 2 Advanced Life Support Medic Units. Fort Lewis Firefighters are proud union members of Local 283 of the International Association of Firefighters.

TEAM FLEX: L to R- Top: J. Coffey, E. Sheppard, C. Cozby, E. Teel
 Bottom: R. Smith, A. Doss, S. Powers

                                                
   
   Name: Jeff Coffey, Team Captain, Incident Commander
   Aka: "White Kong"
   Title: Engineer / EMT   Age: 42   Yrs. Exp.: 23
   Residence: Graham, WA
   Family: Wife Jayme and Daughters Jayden (3) & Jordan
   (8 Mos.)
   E-mail: jgcoffey@flexteam.org


   
   Name: Art Doss, Glass/Outside Tool Man
   Aka: "Tenancious D"
   Title:  Captain / EMT   Age: 40   Yrs. Exp.: 21
   Residence: Tacoma, WA
   Family: Married, 2 children
   E-mail: adoss@flexteam.org


   
   Name:  Ric Smith, Primary Medic 
   Aka: "Ricky Bobby"
   Title:  Firefighter / Paramedic   Age: 37   Yrs. Exp.: 21
   Residence:  Yelm, WA
   Family: Married, 2 children
   E-mail: rsmith@flexteam.org


   
   Name:  Chad Cozby,  Medic Assistant / Backup Medic
   Aka: "Candyman"
   Title:  Firefighter / Paramedic   Age: 24   Yrs. Exp.: 7
   Residence:  Shelton, WA
   Family:  Wife Shawna and Son Zeke (2)
   E-mail: ccozby@flexteam.org

                                                      
   Name:  Eric Teel, Outside Tool Man
   Aka: "Mr. Incredible"
   Title:  Engineer / EMT   Age: 37   Yrs. Exp.: 15
   Residence: South Hill Puyallup
   Family:  Wife Jessica and Daughter Adilyn
   E-mail: eteel@flexteam.org


     
   Name:  Eric Sheppard, Outside Tool Man
   Aka: "LT"
   Title:  Firefighter / EMT   Age: 27   Yrs. Exp.: 7
   Residence:  Shelton, WA
   Family:  Wife Lindsey and Son Aiden (2)
   E-mail: esheppard@flexteam.org
                     
 
               
     
   Name:  Scott Powers, Alternate / Medic Assistant
   Aka:  TBD
   Title:  Firefighter / EMT   Age: 26    Yrs. Exp.: 7
   Residence:  Lacey, WA
   Family: Single
   E-mail: sjpowers@flexteam.org