MARYSVILLE — In May of 1994, Kay Smith was appointed to fill a vacancy.

More than 15 years later, and after being elected to three six-year terms of office, Smith retired as a commissioner of Marysville Fire District 12 on Dec. 31 of 2009, after her residence was annexed into the city of Marysville.

She was honored at the fire district’s Feb. 17 Board of Directors meeting for her dedication and service to the community, and for her support of the district’s staff, by Marysville Fire Chief Greg Corn and others.

During Smith’s tenure as a fire commissioner, the Marysville Fire District has gone through many changes.

In 1994, Smith was instrumental in the success of a levy to hire paramedics. In January of 1995, the fire district began paramedic service with seven paramedics, and now, there are 20.

In 2000, Fire Districts 12 and 20 came together through a merger, and in 2002, Shoultes Fire Station 62 opened, replacing the old station across the street.

Smith founded the Marysville Fire District Foundation with Corn in 2003, and the foundation continues to play a pivotal role in helping Marysville residents through its various programs and donations. In 2008, Smith played a role in the opening of yet another fire station, but unlike Shoultes Fire Station 62, Sunnyside Fire Station 66 wasn’t built to replace an old station, but rather, to meet the needs of a growing population in Marysville.

Smith has had many opportunities over the years to travel throughout the state, meet other fire commissioners and see other fire districts, after all those experiences, she said, “There is no fire district that surpasses the Marysville Fire District.”

Smith has resided and remained active in Marysville since 1964. She and her husband, Bruce, raised two children in the community, one of whom is currently a Marysville Fire District firefighter.