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Fire Chief Tim Lemon has moved his last day with Chelan Fire and Rescue up to July 31, 2019 with approval of the Board of Fire Commissioners. Chief Lemon has been selected to be the next Fire Chief of North Whidbey Fire and Rescue and is expected to take-up his new position in early August.
Chelan Fire and Rescue is in its final negotiation with Deputy Chief Mark Donnell to take over as the Interim Fire Chief for Chelan Fire and Rescue in August with the expectation that he will be named Chief on January 1, 2020.
Commissioner Jones stated this is right in line with Chelan Fire and Rescue’s succession plan that was put in place back in 2016. It provides for its member to move up and will vacate one Chief Officer position which will provide a cost saving to the fire district. In 2018 Assistant Chief Asher was hired through a FEMA grant as the Chief of Volunteer Services for four years ending in 2021. Chief Lemon was expected to retire within these four years providing funding for the ongoing employment of Assistant Chief Asher after the grant runs out. With Chief Lemon’s early departure, the fire district will see a cost saving in wages and benefits over the next two year period before those revenues are used to retain Assistant Chief Asher.
Commissioner Jones added that Chief Lemon’s experience and leadership has been a tremendous asset to the community and he will be sorely missed.
Chelan County Burn Ban in effect
as of June 1, 2019
NO outdoor burning allowed – High Fire Hazard Restrictions include: Restricted Open Flame Devices and Restricted Outdoor Fires. See below resolutions.
Washington State Volunteer Firefighter of the Year Award
Chelan Fire and Rescue’s Volunteer Firefighter/EMT Jonathan Mendoza has been selected as Washington State Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. A huge honor for Jonathan and Chelan Fire and Rescue. Jonathan has been a strong contributor to Chelan Fire and Rescue since 05/01/2012 when he joined the department. Jonathan pulls shift regularly at Station 71 in Chelan and is a qualified combat firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certified, Apparatus Driver/Operator Wildland Red Card holder, a member of the Rescue Swimmers Program and the High and Low Angle Rescue Team. Jonathan also filled in as a temporary hire (full time) firefighter in late 2018.
EMT Certified
Congratulation to FF Hunter Newmiller and FF Sam Belsky for completing the Washington State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Course and becoming certified EMTs. FF/EMT Hunter Newmiller and FF/EMT Sam Belsky’s new skill will be serving Chelan out of Station 71 (city of Chelan) FF/EMT Hunter Newmiller on C-Shift and FF/EMT Sam Belsky on B-Shift. Job well done gentleman.
New/used Ladder 71 has arrived and is in service
In 2018, the current 1993 (26 year old) ladder truck failed its drift test. It could no longer be used as a rescue ladder truck. This meant personnel could not work off the ladder due to safety issues with the hydraulic system being able to hold the ladder in place. This created a dilemma for the department, because we have numerous two, three and four story resort accommodations, motels, and apartment/condo buildings throughout our jurisdiction.
The Fire Chief identified four options to address this issue:
1.) Buy a new truck which would cost about a million dollars and take a year plus to take delivery of.
2.) Fix the current apparatus which the Fleet Manager recommended against due to its age, ability to get parts, out of service time for the repairs and the amount of monies we would have spent on a 26 year old apparatus to make it operational again. Additionally, NFPA 1911 identifies that an apparatus over 25 years old should be replaced.
3.) No longer have and operate a ladder truck. This would leave people in multi-story buildings at risk. The fire protection class rating for the City would most likely increase causing an increase in insurance premiums for our commercial building owners. If a ladder truck was needed (provided for the last 26 years) and was no longer being provided, a case of liability could be made against the fire district.
4.) Buy a used ladder that would meet our needs with a reasonable service life left.
After healthy and lengthy discuss the Board of Fire Commissioners agreed with the Fire Chief that our best option was to purchase a used ladder truck.
The Chief and his staff did an extensive nationwide search to see what was available in the pre-owned ladder truck market. Over 15 apparatus met our specifications. The staff was able to narrow the field down, to the ones that were the most cost effective and met the operational needs of the district.
Assistant Chief Brandon Asher and Fleet Manager John Goyne flew to Brindle Mountain, Alabama to review and select an apparatus. There they found a 2007 Pierce 75’ ladder with a 2000 GPM pump 500 gallon tank and 12 year service life remaining for the apparatus. New, in today’s world, this apparatus would cost around a million dollars, and is estimated to have cost $850,000 when bought new in 2007. Following negotiations with the vendor, we were able to secure the apparatus for $175,000. Everyone involved agreed this was a great deal, and that it would meet the community’s needs. Best of all, we had the funds in our apparatus and equipment replacement account to purchase the ladder.
After the apparatus was detailed, service tested (aerial and pump), it was ready for delivery. To have the ladder truck shipped out on a low–boy, it would of cost the department around $12,000. If the vendor’s professional drivers drove it out to us, it would have cost around $6,500. So then, the district decided to fly Lt. Johnny Synder (Station 73, Union Valley) and another qualified driver to Brindle Mountain, Alabama to pick up the apparatus this cost the district $3,600.00.
Yet, another example of how cost effective and financially efficient your fire department has been over the last ten years.
Chelan County Burn Ban in effect June 1, 2019.
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.
