02-05-2019 Automatic Fire Alarm – Broken Water Pipe

Chelan Fire and Rescue responded to an Automatic Fire Alarm this morning around 0614 hours at 510 North Cedar Street. Upon arrival, Rescue 71 and Engine 71 found the alarm system going off, a number of the residents from the complex were outside in the cold, but no fire. A broken water pipe in the ceiling was found to have set off the system. There was two to three inches of standing water throughout the first floor of the building. Crews worked quickly to shut down the water and get the residents back inside out of the cold. Further actions were taken to protect the electrical service room that had water pouring out of the ceiling. Chelan Fire and Rescue crews assisted the complex management with removing water from the first floor until private vendors can arrive.

2017 Annual State Audit

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11-12-2018 Structure Fire

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Management Excellence Award

Chelan Fire and Rescue Received 2nd place in the Washington State Fire Commissioners Association “Management Excellence Award Program” for Category B Class fire departments.

Chelan Fire and Rescue’s Leadership/Management team and fire department were recognized by the Washington State Fire Commissioner Association at their Fall Conference in Spokane October 26, 2018. Chelan Fire and Rescue participated in the “Management Excellence Award Program” in the Category B Class, against fire departments with budgets between $2,000,000 and $4,000,000 and received 2nd place in the State of Washington. The purpose of the Management Excellence Award Program is to provide a means of sharing information, innovative ideas and the variety of activities taking place throughout the state of Washington; to give recognition to those in the fire service that have demonstrated progressive achievement; to benefit all fire districts, regardless of size, location, budget, or number of personnel.

$829,011 Grant Funds for Breathing Apparatus

Chelan Fire and Rescue, in conjunction with Chelan County Fire Protection District 8 (Entiat) and Douglas County Fire Protection District 4 (Orondo) were notified this week that we have been awarded a third FEMA grant in the amount of $829,011. The purpose of this grant is to replace all the Self Contain Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and spare air bottles in all three departments. This specialized piece of equipment provides firefighters with breathing air when working in an IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health)  environment such as a house fire filled with smoke or a chemical spill. “This is a huge benefit to the local fire departments that have been using aging SCBAs with an increasing maintenance cost,” said Chief Lemon. Replacing all of the old SCBAs provides improved safety for all of our members and a decrease in maintenance costs. Additionally each district will see a cost savings by not having to replace out of service SCBAs.

Chelan Fire and Rescue has received three FEMA grants in the last three years:

  • FEMA SAFER Grant for six firefighters fully funded for two years in the amount of $895,434.00
  • FEMA Regional SAFER Grant for a Volunteer Recruit and Retention Coordinator fully funded for four years in the amount of $947,534.00
  • FEMA Regional AFG for new SCBAs in the amount of $829,011.00

Total grant funds in the last three years $2,671.979.00

Chelan Fire and Rescue reduces on duty career staffing in 2019

Chelan Fire and Rescue will not be retaining the six SAFER Grant Firefighter/EMT positions after funding runs out on December 31, 2018. This will reduce the career duty shift staff from twelve (four per shift) employees back to six firefighters (two per shift), which provides two career firefighter on-duty 24 hours a day 87% of the time. The balance of the time is when we anticipate one of the two member crew will be off duty on approved leave and/or hour reduction days (Kelly Days). This is the same shift staffing level the department had from 2009 through 2016.

While this is a significant reduction in staffing, CFR is working diligently to reconfigure the remaining staff and solicit additional support from our volunteer firefighters. CFR’s goal is to maintain four firefighters on duty as much of the time as possible. This staffing model is heavily dependent on volunteer firefighters. This will enable us to continue to meet the requirements of WAC 296-305 Firefighter Safety Standards for interior rescue and fire fighting. The initial on-duty response will continue to be backed up by home volunteer firefighters and off duty firefighters called back to work.

In 2016 CFR ran 885 calls, in 2017 it was 938 calls, a 5.7% increase over 2016.  So far in 2018 we are at 712 calls and anticipate ending the year around 1,012 calls, a 12.5% increase over 2016 call volume.

 

08-08-18 Car / Brush Fire

On Wednesday evening 8/8/18, Chelan Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a report of a Brush Fire near the area of Pat & Mike’s on South Lakeshore Road. Enroute to the call, RiverCom 911 advised responding units that this would be vehicle fire with encroachment on grass and brush near the Hawks Meadow entrance off SR97A. Rescue 71 (1 career Firefighter/EMT and 1 volunteer Firefighter), Tender 71 (1 volunteer Firefighter/EMT), and Battalion 7 (Chief Officer) were able to fully extinguish the vehicle fire and the brush fire with the assistance of Chelan County Sheriff Deputies. One Deputy held the brush fire at bay with a fire extinguisher while fire crews were extending hose lines.

 

07-16-18 Brush Fire – 17975 South Lake Shore

07-16-18 Brush Fire – 17975 South Lake Shore

Chelan Fire and Rescue was responded to a brush fire on S. Lakeshore road just past Fields Point. The first apparatus arrived at 5:37 and reported a working brush fire approximately 2 acres in size. A second alarm was requested. Battalion 7, Chief 701, Rescue 71, Brush 74, 79, Tenders 71, 73, 74, 75 and Support 71 responded with a total of seventeen personnel. At 6:07 a.m. the  fire was contained and crews moved to mop/overhaul mode.

07-13-18 Structure Fire – Apple Acres Rd

Chelan Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a structure fire with smoke and flames showing on Apple Acres Rd. Three occupants and two pets were able to escape prior to arrival but firefighters found one dog unresponsive while extinguishing the fire. Resuscitation efforts were unfortunately unsuccessful. Firefighters faced extreme temperatures and 30 mph wind gusts but were able to keep it from spreading to the nearby brush. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

05-27-18 / SR150 & Chelan Hills Brush Fire

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