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$829,011 in Grant Funds for Structural Fire Fighting 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 positons 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.
Outdoor Burning Information
OCTOBER 1, 2018
BURNING RESTRICTIONS HAVE CHANGED….
Outdoor fires and open flame devices are allowed.
No debris burning inside the city and urban growth areas.
- Residential Burning means that outdoor burning of leaves, clippings, pruning’s, and other yard
and gardening refuse originating on lands immediately adjacent and in close proximity to a
human dwelling and burning on such lands by the property owner or his or her designee. WAC 173-425-030(22) - Land Clearing Burning means outdoor burning of trees, stumps, shrubbery, or other natural
vegetation from land clearing projects (projects that clear the land surface so that it can be
developed, used for a different purpose, or unused). - Urban Growth Areas: to find out if you live in one, call or stop by Chelan Fire and rescue in
Chelan for information.
Air Quality – Washington State Department of Ecology
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/
Washington State Fire incident information
Okanogan Wenatchee USDA Forest Service
Chelan Fire and Rescue is currently seeking Volunteer Emergency Responders!
Come join our team and serve your community. Positions are available in structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, ems, and support services. Contact Assistant Chief Brandon Asher at (509)682-4476 for more information.
