Mark Anderson:
CLASS OF 1970
El Modena High SchoolClass of 1970
Orange, CA
Mark's Story
After attending McPherson Jr High, I began high school at El Modena in the fall of 1966. The school was not complete, had an unfinished gym, shop classes, cafetorium and had no lockers. It was quite an adventure. I did not get to stay at El Modena since my family packed up to move back to Washigton state over Christmas break. I missed the friends and the weather of Orange County.
Once back in Washington, I attended and graduated from Burlington-Edison High School, went on to attend Skagit Valley College and then into a career in the grocery business. I became a volunteer firefigher in 1978 and found that I wanted to change my direction in life. I was lucky enough to procure a career firefighter position at the first department that I tested for in Federal Way, Washington. I continued with that department for 15 years and had the idea that I wanted to be "in charge." I was hired as Deputy Chief /Training and Safety Officer in Woodland Washington just in time to manage emergency operations for the ...Expand for more
greatest flood to hit the community in almost 70 years. That was a huge test of my abilities. The flood event was followed by a visit from President Bill Clinton and I was asked to moderate a community Round Table meeting with the President, I was extremely nervous but all went well.
I later accepted a position as Fire Chief on the Long Beach Penninsula on the Washington coast. I stayed there for almost 5 years' built the department from all volunteer to a combination of paid and volunteer with Paramedics and an ambulance service before once again returning to my home town of Burlington as Fire Chief. Indian folk lore says that there is a curse on this valley that all who leave here will return. I am now re(tired) from the Fire Chief position and drive a transit bus for the benefits, oh, and the extra money.
I was married for 30 years and have a son Chris, daughter Rhonda and 8 grandchildren.
I have missed Southern California since the day that we left but could never afford to move back there.
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