Steve Collins
Steven James Collins was born on October 30, 1966, in Tacoma, Washington, and raised in Eatonville. Known as "Steve" to his friends, he developed a strong work ethic early, working summers throwing hay and assisting local farmers. In high school, he participated in football and was a highly successful wrestler, achievements that taught him discipline, perseverance, and the importance of teamwork. After high school, he attended Pierce College and Tacoma Community College before enlisting in the United States Army Reserve.
Steve entered military service on November 11, 1986. He completed basic training and went on to Army Flight School, where he learned to fly TH-55 and UH-1H helicopters. He later became a CH-47 Chinook Pilot in Command. His military assignments included flood relief, wildfire suppression, and high-altitude rescue operations. While deployed to Iraq in 2003 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Steve flew critical missions and survived an attack involving two SA-7 missiles near Fallujah and Ramadi. He graduated from the Instructor Pilot Course and served over 13 months in a combat zone before eventually retiring with 25 years of military service.
The Army instilled in him essential lessons: adherence to rules and protocols, trusting leadership, teamwork, and accountability—principles that guided him throughout his life.
Steve joined the Seattle Fire Department on April 6, 1994. He operated ladder trucks in the challenging streets of Queen Anne and later became the primary driver of Ladder 6. Throughout his fire service career, Steve valued operational discipline, professional training, and serving the community through both emergency response and day-to-day acts of public service.
In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the fire service. In 2021, faced with a state-mandated vaccine policy that conflicted with his religious beliefs, Steve was forced to make the difficult choice between receiving the COVID-19 vaccination or losing his job. Choosing to stand by his faith, he made the decision to retire rather than compromise his religious convictions after nearly 30 years of service. His departure was not only the result of the mandate but also a culmination of betrayal felt toward the leadership he once trusted.
Growing up in Eatonville, Steve knew virtually everyone in town. The sense of betrayal by leaders within the Seattle Fire Department and the political climate of Washington State ultimately drove him and his family to relocate. They chose Helena, Montana, attracted by the mountainous environment, colder climate, and conservative governance that better aligned with their values.
The transition to Montana has been difficult. Financial uncertainties remain, and establishing a new life has required humility, persistence, and deep reliance on faith. Steve now serves as an on-call EMT for the United States Forest Service and is working to build a private wildland firefighting business.
Steve credits his endurance to his faith, guided by Isaiah 6:8—"Here am I. Send me!" His greatest sources of strength have been his family and the belief that service, loyalty, and faithfulness are what ultimately define a life well-lived.
Today, Steven James Collins continues to apply the lessons learned from decades of service, standing quietly but firmly on the values that shaped him.
