Chelan Fire swears in Focus Group members, sends firefighters to California

CHELAN – Chelan Fire and Rescue District 7 Commissioners met Wednesday, Oct. 11 at Station 7. Items on the agenda included:
• Overview of Safer Grant – money will be used to hire a full-time volunteer recruiter, uniforms, other fees
• Approved sponsorship donation to Lake Chelan Swim in the amount of $1,000, helping improve safety and education of swimmers, reducing the need to dispatch rescue swimmers
• Proposed new ordinance charging for false alarm calls
• Emergency Coordination Program, how to better promote and increase responsivity of the program
One item of interest on the agenda was the induction and swearing in of an advisory group, whose intent is to educate people about the fire district and its operations and needs, as well as provide input on the community’s needs, finding a satisfactory median for the needs of both the department and the community.
“This is a big deal, we are kind of at a crossroads,” started Commissioner Tom Peters, “we’re looking forward to the next 10 years and what our fire services are going to look like, what our community is going to look like over that period of time … we’re in a difficult spot right now, we’re in a situation where we can’t possible maintain the level of paid staff that we have, and save money for the apparatus we’re going to need over time, without some type of a Levy Lid Lift.”
Peters explained further that, at times, tax increases are necessary, and the question in this case is how much, “how much risk do we want to take for the community’s sake? How many people do we really want to support on a long-term basis? How much do we really need to have in terms of equipment … the thing that I would ask you is that each of you hold true to your own convictions … and work together to come to some kind of a recommendation that will work for the community as a whole.”
Another topic of interest was the addition of California’s request for fire mobilization. The request came in earlier that morn one structural engine team with three to four people. The request was approved, and a team will be assembled to assist other teams in the California wildfires.