South King Fire and Rescue has received recognition for supporting firefighters who are also soldiers.

The fire commissioners were given a certificate at their Thursday meeting for “Outstanding support of the soldiers in the task force 1-161 Infantry.”

The recognition was in part due to the commissioners’ decision to supplement the gap in pay of a soldier and a firefighter. Firefighters are often paid more than a reserve or Army National Guardsman. The department has chosen to pay the firefighter the difference so that families do not have to deal with a pay cut while their loved one is away.

This pay can also include time immediately following a soldier’s return for “decompression time,” although this is on a case-by-case basis that goes before the board of commissioners.

During military activations, employees also keep the district’s medical and dental programs, which is done specifically for the spouse and children, according to the department’s policy.

Commissioner Mark Freitas said that the district has worked hard to take care of its firefighter soldiers and their families.

SKFR also holds employment for any firefighter pulled away from the job by military deployment.

Those involved in military training are given 21 days of leave, with pay, for that training, starting each October.

Currently, SKFR has two firefighters in the military, including Robert Bryant, who is still currently in Iraq. Bryant has been in Iraq since last April and is expected back in the next few months. Another firefighter is involved in the Army Reserves and is periodically away for training, but has not been gone long-term yet like Bryant. That firefighter’s identity was not available as of press time.