by Richard Uhlhorn
Chelan Fire and Rescue pinned two new career firefighters at their Wednesday, November 16 regularly scheduled meeting. Kyle Byrne and Duke Odenrider took the oath of office from Fire Chief Brandon Asher wherein they agreed to uphold the best traditions of the community and the District.
Fire Chief’s report:
Asher told the commissioners that the October financials were not ready and would be shared at the commission’s next meeting.
“We had a 36 percent increase in calls,” Asher said. Seventy four percent of those calls were EMS related. The callouts were one of the busiest the department has seen; 105 calls versus only 67 i 2021.
However, it was also a busy month for fire/accident related calls for the department. On October 2, … Jones was spent 14 days on the Bolt Creek Fire; October 10 the department responded to a motor vehicle accident on the Boyd Loop and Swanson Gulch intersection; October 16, firefighters were sent on another State mobilization in Clark County on the Nakia Fire; they responded to a structure fire on October 20 at 2334 Bradley; and on October 29 responded to a motor vehicle accident on Hwy. 97 and Hugo Road. One person involved in the accident did not survive.
Staff is working on a Community Newsletter which should be published in January, 2023.
The District has two more firefighters attending the Fire Academy.
The District is working on a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant to help replace a brush truck in 2024.
They are currently researching a $30,000 block grant which would be used to redo the residents quarters.
Asher stated that the District is hoping the waterline to the airport gets constructed. “It will help increase our services.”
Commissioner Russ Jones suggested setting up a meeting with the City Community Development department to explore where growth in the valley is going.
Commissioner Phil Moller asked if there was a plan for the $30,000 grant. Asher replied that the cost associated with a remodel of the resident quarters was around $500 per sq. ft.
Assistant Chief report:
Assistant Chief Shawn Sherman stated that the District was building a volunteer training camp and hoping o revitalize the District’s volunteer group. He also mentioned a Truck Academy to train fire fighters on the variety of fire fighting units the District deploys on fires.
All Things Lake Chelan 