Chelan Fire and Rescue (Chelan County Fire Protection District 7) has been in existence since 1926. The agency is a Fire Protection District, organized under Title 52 of the Revised Code of Washington. Funding for the Fire District is derived from property taxes, which are collected at a rate per $1000.00 of assessed value for all taxable properties throughout the Fire District’s jurisdiction. Chelan Fire and Rescue’s jurisdiction is located in Northeast Chelan County, covering 125 square miles around Lake Chelan and surrounding areas. These areas include: The City of Chelan, Chelan Falls, Union Valley, South Lake Shore, 25 Mile Creek, the north side of Lake Chelan from the City of Chelan to Manson, Chelan Airport, and Howard Flats up to the Chelan/Okanogan County line.

Municipal Services
The municipal services provided by Chelan Fire and Rescue, in accordance with the mission and statutes that govern fire protection districts and fire departments, are: Emergency Medical Services (EMS); Basic Life Support (BLS) first response; Fire Prevention/Public Education; Fire Investigation; Fire Suppression (vehicle, residential and commercial); Wildland Fire Fighting; Hazardous Materials Response-Operations; and Technical Rescue/Special Operations (Low angle, surface water, ice rescue).

These services are delivered from five fire stations, one staffed with career personnel 24 hours a day and four staffed with volunteer personnel. The district employs 11 personnel and 41 volunteers who operate 6 fire engines, 3 water tenders, 4 wildland fire engines, 1 ladder truck, 1 heavy rescue/special operations vehicle, 2 command vehicles, 1 support vehicles and a rescue boat.

Organizational Structure
The organizational structure of the fire department is best understood by reference to the organizational chart for the Fire District. However, the organization is generally described as managed overall by the elected policy-making and governing body, the Board of Fire Commissioners, whose policies are implemented on a day-to-day basis by the appointed Fire Chief/Administrator.  The Board and the Chief are aided in accomplishing the mission of the department by an appointed District Secretary, whose primary duties are administrative, including maintaining Board meeting minutes and records. Various fire service officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), volunteer firefighters, and other staff round out the district’s work force and accomplish the delivery of vital services to the public.