Lewis County Sirens.com

This news story was updated at 4:18 p.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Mossyrock’s fire chief Matt Hadaller passed away last night.

Hadaller was 47.

Members of Lewis County Fire District 3 are gathered at the fire hall today, with outside fire chiefs who came to take calls from the news media and begin to plan a memorial service.

Hadaller has been chief of District 3 seven and half years, and a member of the department for 20 years, according to Lewis County Fire District 13’s Chief Gregg Peterson.

Peterson sent out an announcement just after noon time saying it is with a heavy heart, the volunteers of District 3 announce the death of their chief.

Exactly what happened isn’t yet known, according to Peterson.

Hadaller was at home, on call, last night when he suffered an as-yet undetermined medical issue, according to Peterson. His brother-in-law Mike Kalouse said he was with Hadaller when it happened.

Members of his own fire department took him by ambulance to Morton General Hospital, but he suffered a cardiac arrest on the way, Peterson said.

They made a “valiant effort to revive him, but sadly, were unsuccessful” Peterson wrote in a news release afternoon.

Hadaller served as a Mossyrock city council member for three years, ending in late 2007, according to the city clerk.

He grew up in the community, Peterson said.

Peterson, Randle’s Fire Chief Jeff Jaques, Napavine Fire Chief Eric Linn and Riverside Fire Authority’s Chief Jim Walkowski are at the Mossyrock fire station working out details of a memorial service to be held on Saturday, Peterson said.

It will take place at the Mossyrock High School football stadium, where Hadaller played quarterback for the Viking’s football team, according to Peterson.

The time is 1 p.m. The address is 295 Williams St. in Mossyrock.

District 3’s commissioner’s appointed Assistant Fire Chief Doug Fosburg interim chief effective at noon today.

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Update: Peterson says that any agencies wishing to join the procession with their vehicles should email hadallermemorial@gmail.com noting the apparatus type and number of personnel.

Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter

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