Firefighter/EMT – Antonio Summerlin
Antonio Summerlin joined the North Mason Regional Fire Authority through the Student Resident Program in June 2019 and was hired for a full-time position in December 2020. He is originally from Mobile, Alabama, and graduated from Murphy High School in 2016. Antonio attended Campbellsville University in 2016-2017, as well as Bishop State Community College in 2017-2018. He got his start in the fire service in 2018, when he joined the Mobile Fire Rescue Department. Additionally, prior to being hired full-time with the Authority, Antonio worked at Olympic Ambulance. He wanted a career in the fire service because he loves working in a team-oriented environment and enjoys the physical nature of the job. Antonio also appreciates being able to meet people from different backgrounds, as well as the opportunity to learn something new every day to improve himself. The career also gives him the ability to be a servant leader within the community. Outside of work, Antonio enjoys fishing, crabbing, video games, and football… Roll Tide. Because most of his family still lives in Alabama, Antonio feels the Authority is his family away from his original home. He could not be more grateful for the opportunity to spend the rest of this very rewarding career here.
Firefighter/EMT – Andrew Johnson
Drew Johnson came to North Mason Regional Fire Authority as a student volunteer in the fall of 2010 and currently hails from Tacoma, WA. Drew has three siblings, including two sisters and one brother. He is a graduate of the prestigious University of Washington with a degree in Construction Management. Drew began his pursuit of becoming a career firefighter by attending EMT school and graduating from the Bates Fire Academy shortly thereafter. Drew was hired as a career member in the summer of 2014. His hobbies include big game hunting, baseball spectating, and woodworking.
Firefighter/EMT – Ryan Jones
Ryan Jones joined Mason County Fire District 2 as a volunteer resident firefighter/EMT in 2005. He also completed four years as a civilian firefighter working in Iraq and Afghanistan before returning to the United States in 2013. For the next two years, he continued to volunteer at the Fire Authority and work full-time at CENCOM as an emergency dispatcher. He was hired full-time with the Authority in February 2016.
Firefighter/EMT – Elli Lechner
Elli Lechner joined the North Mason Regional Fire Authority through the Student Resident Program in February 2022 and was hired for a full-time position in February 2023. She is originally from Tucson, AZ, and moved to Washington in 2021 to be closer to family. She opened a health and wellness business shortly after high school, working diligently to help her community with fitness and nutrition. Elli has always loved helping others, which led her to pursue a career in the fire service. Outside of work, Elli still enjoys helping others with health and nutrition and working on her own health and fitness. She spends a lot of time with her husband, who is also a first responder, and her stepdaughter. They have a homestead with many animals which includes many rescue animals. She and her family spend much time outdoors fishing, hunting, gardening, kayaking, and country western dancing. Elli loves to volunteer her time with youth organizations and animal rescues. She is grateful and excited to be serving the North Mason communities.
Firefighter/EMT-Tuesday Palmer
Born and raised in the Belfair/Allyn area, Tuesday is proud to serve the community she calls home. A 2022 graduate of North Mason High School, she completed EMT training shortly after graduation and began her career in Fire and EMS. She started working as an EMT with Olympic Ambulance in 2023, joined North Mason Regional Fire Authority as a resident in 2024, and was hired full-time in 2025. Tuesday values the fire service for its challenging and rewarding nature, the opportunity to learn every day, and the ability to work as part of a dedicated team serving her hometown. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, traveling, playing sports such as softball and golf, and spending time with family.
Firefighter/EMT Chynna Borcherding
Chynna Borcherding began her journey with the North Mason Regional Fire Authority in 2022 as a volunteer, attending her first fire academy that same year and completing EMT school shortly after. She proudly served as a volunteer until being hired as a career firefighter in March 2025.
A Kitsap County native and North Mason resident since 2011, Chynna’s path to public service was shaped by a diverse background — from studying psychology to working in real estate — before discovering her true calling in the fire service. She considers it an honor to serve with NMRFA, valuing the unique and meaningful relationships built with the community.
Firefighter/EMT – Ridge Pellow
Ridge Pellow was raised in Puget Sound region—born in Seabeck, a few years in Grapeview, and settled in Belfair in 2008, where I continue to call home. I’m a proud graduate of North Mason High School (Class of 2015), completed the North Bend Fire Academy in August 2023, and earned my Hazmat Technician certification through NRNW. I’m currently continuing my education at Western Governors University. He began his fire service journey as a student firefighter from May 2022 to December 2023, and in May 2024 I joined North Mason Fire full-time, bringing in more than two years of service plus my prior student experience. Before entering the fire service, I served seven years in the United States Navy, then returned to Belfair with my wife and daughter. Serving this community—one that has given so much to me and my family—is truly a privilege. I’m grateful for the chance to make a meaningful impact and to work alongside some of the most dedicated people I’ve ever met. I especially enjoy the community-focused aspects of the job, including volunteer events, which have become one of my favorite parts of the work. Outside the department, I love fishing, snowboarding, and golfing. I also enjoy movies with my wife, playing games, and coaching a local little league team during baseball season.
Fun Fact: My wife and I are high school sweethearts.
Firefighter/EMT – Christion Torres
In 2022, Christion began volunteering with NMRFA as a Wildland Firefighter. He went on to earn an associate degree in the Fire Service program at Bates Technical College. After graduating from BTC, Christion joined NMRFA as a Resident in 2024 while also working at St. Michael Medical Center as an Emergency Technician in the Emergency Department. In 2026, he was hired as a full‑time Firefighter/EMT.
Born and raised in Kitsap County, Christion graduated from South Kitsap High School in 2022 and also completed the Fire Science Program at West Sound Technical Skills Center. He has a strong passion for wildland fire containment, emergency response, and the challenging nature of the fire service. He values the camaraderie shared among firefighters and is driven to continually learn, grow, and refine his skills. Christion appreciates that the fire service is a training‑rich profession, providing constant opportunities to learn and apply new knowledge both on and off the job.
Having deep roots in the community, Christion is committed to protecting and serving the region he grew up in, especially knowing that many of his family members live within the area he serves. He takes great pride in giving back to the community that has been such an important part of his life and is dedicated to providing the highest level of service when people need help most.
Outside of work, Christion enjoys backpacking throughout the Pacific Northwest with friends and family, as well as snowboarding, dirt biking, surfing, and spending time outdoors.
Christion looks forward to continuing to grow within the fire service, taking on new challenges, expanding his knowledge, and serving alongside the dedicated men and women of his department. He is grateful for the opportunity to protect, serve, and give back to his community and is committed to doing so for many years to come.