CHELAN – Chief Mark Donnell reassured Chelan Fire and Rescue District 7 board members (and the non-attending public) that the budget carryover amount of $515,000 would be “considerably higher going into 2021.” Donnell made the assessment at the Wednesday, Nov. 18 board meeting, held via Zoom.
“It will be better than anticipated,” he said, noting that the projected revenues and expenses have not yet been fully tallied.
The Chief also announced that of the 77 calls to the department in October, 66 of them were for the EMS/Rescue division and that, thus far, November has seen only 21 calls.
He reported that zero dollars were lost due to firefighting actions in the month of October. To add to the good news, Donnell stated District 7 would soon be partnering with the Chelan-Douglas Health District to deliver flu shots and COVID-19 testing. He lamented that the COVID-19 antibody tests were available, but they had a four-day turnaround to get results.
Donnell also praised a front page article in last week’s Lake Chelan Mirror written about the previous Fire District 7 meeting, saying it was informative, accurate and well written.
Assistant Fire Chief of Volunteer Services Brandon Asher spoke about recruiting efforts remarking that “it was nice just to get out and meet the public” during the recent Veterans Day parade in downtown Chelan.
Asher announced both recent recruit applicants had, for various reasons, pulled out of consideration for positions at the district.
On a positive note, Asher said Janet Guerrero has stepped forward to volunteer for the Entiat station. Asher stated two Chelan fire recruits were anticipating attending the EMT training in Wenatchee at a cost of $1,000 each. He also said two recruits may be attending the structural fire-fighting class, also in Wenatchee, when they resume availability.
Asher said one Chelan firefighter has also volunteered to attend the Hazmat at a cost of $590, noting that this class was difficult mainly because of the written test.
Chief Donnell spoke highly of Fleet Manager John Goyne for his expert fabrication and adjustment of the water tank in a new piece of firefighting apparatus and hoped that the department can get another matching grant of $12,500 to purchase another chassis that can also be converted into a usable firefighting apparatus.
Asher spoke about a recent “all chiefs” luncheon where recruitment grants were discussed, which would ultimately benefit all district firehouses. He also said he placed a recruitment banner near the bridge in Chelan that mysteriously disappeared two days later. A board member suggested it may have been removed by Chelan PUD because it was on their property, but they have usually cooperated in the past regarding such signs.
In regards to completed required training, Asher said he was hoping the development of a new format showing a matrix of completed/uncompleted courses might encourage more training completions because of “peer pressure.” He said it is often difficult to get personnel into the station to complete such training, but added the 20/21 training calendar is complete and firefighters can see what it is they need to accomplish to get into full compliance.
Other issues were discussed, but many, such as the new fire services contract with the city of Chelan, were not yet ready for a board vote and will be discussed at a future meeting.
Approximately 10 “attendees” were listed on the Zoom screen, but most of them were fire officials and board members as well as two members of local media.
Lake Chelan Mirror Managing Editor Gary Bégin can be reached at: Gary@ncwmedia.net. Comments may be published as Letters to the Editor in a future LCM edition.
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