Thurston County firefighter finding respite through success in U.S., World Police & Fire Championships

Thurston County firefighter finding respite through success in U.S., World Police & Fire Championships

When Mike Perry was getting started as a firefighter in the late 1990s, first in his hometown of Yakima and then in Lacey, the fire service provided a home away from his home. His fellow firefighters were his brothers and sisters, and the bonds brewed over years of training and calls were unbreakable. After 30 years in the fire service and about 21,000 calls for service in his career, Perry, 50, still shares those sentiments toward his comrades,…