Fire District 1 honors retiring chaplain Matthew Lambert

From left, Battalion Chief Paul Stredwick, Steve Francis, Board of Commissioners Chairman David Chan, Matthew Lambert, Fire Chief Ed Widdis, Assistant Fire Chief Brad Reading and Capt. Bob Eastman.

Snohomish County Fire District 1 recently honored Matthew Lambert on his retirement after serving 20 years as a volunteer chaplain.

Fire officials honored Lambert during a ceremony at a Sept. 20 joint meeting of Support 7 volunteers and chaplains who respond around the clock in South Snohomish County to provide support to families whose lives are affected by police and fire emergencies. They offer comfort, explain what emergency responders are doing, locate family members and friends to provide support, and provide food, drink and a quiet place to go inside the Support 7 motor home.

Lambert, an Edmonds resident, began his service as a fire department chaplain in 1992 in Mountlake Terrace, where he also serves as a pastor at Bethel Chapel. He continued his work as a chaplain with Fire District 1 following its consolidation with the Mountlake Terrace Fire Department in 2005.

“When firefighters leave the scene to respond to the next 9-1-1 call, the work of the chaplain is often just beginning,” said Fire Chief Ed Widdis. “Over the course of 20 years, Matthew has given countless hours, responding day and night at a moment’s notice, to provide comfort and assistance to our citizens. We can’t thank him enough and we wish him all the best.”

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