Position #1

Bob Cernick

First Elected: 01/01/1996
Current Term Ends: 12/31/26

Position #2 Chairman

Jeff Myers

First Elected: 01/01/2024
Term Expires 12/31/2029

Commissioner Myers believes in a culture of people first in service and protection. This means the decisions made by your elected fire commissioners should reflect what is best for the citizens we serve; this also means supporting, valuing, and empowering our district personnel to provide the best fire and emergency medical services possible to you- every single day.

Commissioner Myers and his wife Monica live in a small log cabin built in Sky Meadows Ranch in 1976. Living inside of a forest perched on the side of the South Cle Elum Ridge, they have a first-hand understanding of the wildfire risk and the rapid growth we have we all experienced in Upper County.

The decisions made today must reflect people first in service, transparency and accountability, with an robust strategic plan to guide the Fire District today and years to come.

This people first commitment is based on Commissioner Myers’ 34-year career as a Washington Peace Officer with the last 16-years as the chief of police. While chief of police, he also served on the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for 13-years, with the last ten as the Chair, working to improve law enforcement training and accountability across the state. Commissioner Myers was a 24-year member of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and supported the state Accreditation of law enforcement agencies. Over several sessions, he testified in the Washington Legislature as a public safety subject matter expert on behalf of the Association of Washington Cities. Since retirement, Commissioner Myers has worked as a part-time law enforcement consultant for several state agencies.

Monica is a proud firefighter retiree who was the first female firefighter in the history of her fire department; she currently volunteers with the American Red Cross as the free smoke alarm program coordinator in Upper County. Their oldest son is a small business owner; and their youngest son is a Deputy Sheriff for Kittitas County. Jeff and Monica enjoy camping, snowmobiling, volunteerism, and spending time with their three granddaughters.

Position #3 Vice-Chair

Justin Zipperer

First Elected: 1/1/2022

Current Term Ends: 12/31/2028

Commissioner Zipperer brings to Fire District 7 over 23 years of experience in the fire service and has been involved in emergency operations as a Lieutenant Firefighter/ Paramedic. He brings extensive knowledge to the district from training and knowledge of structural and wildland firefighting, paramedic services, technical rescue, and truck operations. Commissioner Zipperer was elected in November 2021 as Commissioner for Fire District 7. Commissioner Zipperer values working together to ensure proactive and responsive leadership and making fact-based decisions for efficient and effective outcomes. Justin’s priorities are volunteer and career firefighter retention, hiring more full-time firefighters, improving department training, ensuring fiscal accountability, collaboration and planning with Upper County fire departments/Medic One to decrease response times and improve the service citizens and visitors receive. He also understands the need to update equipment and apparatus to fulfill the current and future needs of the community.

Commissioner Zipperer resides in the Nelson Siding area with his wife, Stephanie, and their four kids.