Chelan Fire and Rescue welcomes Firefighter/EMT

Please join Chelan Fire and Rescue in welcoming Firefighter/EMT Austin Murdock to our team. Austin will be filling a vacated SAFER Grant Firefighter position from earlier this year.

Austin grew up in Leavenworth and graduated from high school there in 2015. He started his Fire Service journey with Chelan County Fire District #3 as a volunteer, and worked the summer of 2015 in the Wenatchee River Ranger District. In the fall of 2015 he started attending Everett Community College where he obtained his AA in Fire Science. Austin is a certified EMT and completed his Firefighter I & II and HazMat Awareness and Operations at the State Fire Academy. Before joining the Chelan Fire and Rescue team, Austin worked as a part-time Firefighter/EMT with Mukilteo and Lake Stevens Fire Departments. Austin lives in Chelan with his significant other. When time allows, he enjoys being an outdoor enthusiast. Welcome to Chelan Fire and Rescue Austin.

11-08-2017 Structure Fire

Good job to all involved (CF&R, CCFPD 5, DCFPD 4), strong response (23 personnel) and firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to other structures and brush. This fire was in Chelan County Fire District 5 jurisdiction, but due to the seamless operation of the two districts and assistance from Orondo Fire Department the loss were limited to the building of origin.

Structure Fire, 11/08/2017, around 0939 hours, Chelan Fire and Rescue and Chelan County Fire District 5 were toned out to a shop building fire at 350 Boyd Loop Road. First Alarm resources included: Chief 702(1), Command 5(1), Engine 71(2), Engine 51(2), Tender 74(1), Tender 52(1) and Medic 3171(2). This fire put out a large black smoke column that was visible from across the lake. First unit to arrive reported a large 60’ x 100’ shop building with orchard tractors, boats and vehicles in it that was 80% involved with fire.  A 2nd Alarm was requested around 0946 hours that brought Brush 71(2), Engine 52(2), Engine 79(2), Engine 73(3)( to moved up to Station 71 cover the district), Tender 75(1), Tender 242(1) and Support 71(2). Chelan County Sheriff Deputies, Chelan PUD and the Chelan County Fire Marshal also responded and assisted with this fire.

Chief 702 established command and set up for a defensive operation and exposure protection for the apartments to the west after affirming no one was inside the building. Fire was contained to the building of origin and was a total loss to include all of its contents. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Chelan Fire and Rescue Receives 1st place

Chelan Fire and Rescue Received 1st 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 28, 2017. 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 1st 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.

 

911 Memorial In Cashmere WA

Representing Chelan Fire and Rescue at the 2017 911 Memorial in Cashmere, WA from left to right. FF. Chrys Fine, FF James Parks, FF Greg Girvin, SS. Marci Holmdahl, BC. Karl Jonasson.

Drowning Incident

Chelan County Sheriff’s Office

Immediate Release:

On 6/20/17 at approximately 3:22 pm Chelan County Marine Deputies responded to calls of a possible drowning in the area known as “Three Fingers” on Lake Chelan, within the Chelan City limits.  Upon further investigation it was learned that a group had rented a boat and were swimming off the back of the boat towards the middle of the lake in approximately 30-40 feet of water.

While swimming one individual from the group started experiencing difficulties. Others from the group attempted to throw him a personal flotation device but were unsuccessful before the he sank beneath the surface.  The group of friends was unable to locate the distressed swimmer.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office responded with multiple vessels along with the aid of rescue swimmers from Chelan Fire, but were unable to locate the missing swimmer who has been identified as 23 year old Donghoon Lee of Seattle.  Donghoon was on break from attending the University of Washington on a Student Visa from South Korea.  Rescue workers continued to work into the evening but were unsuccessful in locating Donghoon who is presumed to have drowned.

Chelan County Sheriff’s Office staff were able to work with staff from the South Korean Consulate and make the emergency notification to Donghoon’ s family.

Search and recovery efforts are scheduled to continue at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 21.  Equipment and personnel include three vessels from the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division, two divers from Chelan County, and seven to eight volunteer divers from Steven’s County along with underwater camera equipment from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office would use this time as a reminder to stay educated on water safety in order for everyone to have a safe and healthy summer while visiting Chelan County.

Updated media information will be sent out in a timely manner as pertinent information is received.

Please contact Sheriff Brian Burnett for questions at 509-630-7599.

Chelan Falls Brush Fire

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Brush Fire East of Chelan Airport

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Commercial fire – 60 SR150

03/21/2017 at 0824 hours, Chelan Fire and Rescue’s (CFR) Engine 71, 79, Rescue 71, Medic 3171, Tender 71 and Chief 702 responded to a commercial fire at 60 SR150, Zippy Disposal Service, for a fire in one of their shops. First unit arrived within two minutes from time of dispatch to find smoke coming from the building and the remains of a fire that had been knocked down by employees using portable fire extinguishers. CFR crews finished extinguishing the fire and checked for possible extension. Damage was limited to a garbage container with minor heat and smoke damage to a wall and work bench area. Cause of the fire is under investigation. Value of the building is estimated at about $138,000.00. There was no structural damage and minimal damage to the contents. CFR gives Zippy Disposal Service a big at-a-boy for having their extinguishers available and employees taking appropriate, safe action, to limit fire spread by knocking the main body of the fire down. This is a great example of why everyone should have fire extinguishers and have them serviced annually to make sure they are in good working order.

Good Job to Zippy Disposal Service employees.

Chelan Fire and Rescue Hires New Firefighters

Chelan Fire and Rescue welcomes six new Firefighter/EMT’s to our team. These positions are funded by a two year FEMA SAFER Grant to provide for safe staffing levels. The six new members will spend the next six weeks on days going through orientation and recruit training before being assigned to shift work. That will bring our staffing levels to four personnel on each of the three shifts. Four firefighters is the minimum number of personnel required to be on scene before they can engage in interior firefighting operations, according to Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 305-296. We will share more information about each of the new firefighters in the weeks to come, please helps us welcome them aboard. Left to right; Steven Saugen, Taylor Rains, Tyee Zacher, Marco Aurilio, Justin Thorpe and Joseph Cox.

DONATION TO VFW

Firefighter Jake Hepper, presented VFW Commander Serafini a check for $582. from the donations that were raised at the Veterans Day luncheon that was held at Station 71 on November 11, 2016.