Michael Zainfeld
It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Battalion Chief Mickel W. Zainfeld, IAFF District 7 Local 3828, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue – Kelso, WA. Brother Zainfeld, 41, succumbed to PTSD on September 19, 2019.
Washington firefighters from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and Washington State Patrol Troopers escorted Battalion Chief Mike Zainfeld, a 20-year veteran firefighter of Cowlitz 2, to the Thurston County Coroner’s office for examination of a line-of-duty death on Thursday afternoon. Zainfeld leaves behind his wife, Kelly, and two boys, Braden (17) and Evan (16 ). Details of his death have not been released. Mike’s family has been notified.
Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue Fire Chief Dave LaFave comments on the loss, “This hurts. We will remember Mike, his family, and what they contributed to our organization. They’re a big part of where we are today. I believe Mike would want us to move forward together. We will support each other and his family as we all get through this loss.”
Zainfeld began with Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue in September of 1994 as a fire cadet in the first year of this program. Mike was hired full-time in 2000 after completing paramedic training in Tacoma. After several years as a firefighter, he was promoted to lieutenant, captain, and, lastly, battalion chief. He was active in all-hazard deployments, qualified as a division supervisor, and has been on assignments in several states. Mike also served as a Kelso police reserve before choosing a fire service career. He was a graduate of the first Kelso High School fire science program and was picked as firefighter of the year in that graduating class. He was an active member of IAFF Local 3828.
Mike enjoyed spending time with his family, vacationing with his immediate family and his extended fire family. Mike also enjoyed spending time with his German Shepard “Max,” and he enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, flying his drone, and history books. He also served as a Kelso Bath Ruth coach, involved in Cub and Boy Scouts, a member of the Longview community church, and a camp attitude volunteer.