by Richard Uhlhorn
Chelan House Fire:
Chelan Fire and Rescue firefighters responded to the house fire on Woodin Avenue last Thursday morning within 4 minutes of the alarm going off. The fire, which is still under investigation by the ATF, became a 3-Alarm fire in fear that it could spread to other buildings in the neighborhood. “It might be a couple of weeks before they (ATF) release something,” said Fire Chief Brandon Asher.
There are many rumors about the cause of this fire, but until the ATF releases its final report, no one has a true picture of what actually started it.
There were two fatalities and several injured during the fire. One of the injured was transferred to Harborview’s Burn Center.
Asher went on to say that if fire had started during the day, the department could have lost several buildings. “We were lucky it started at 5 a.m.”
Responding to the third alarm was Manson Fire District #5, Orondo and Wenatchee Fire Districts. Wenatchee brought up a ladder truck to compliment apparatus the Chelan and other agencies had on site.
All Things Lake Chelan will update information as soon as it becomes available.
Chelan Fire Commission:
Chelan Fire and Rescue held its monthly commission meeting on Wednesday, August 20 one day prior to the house fire that destroyed the home on Woodin Avenue.
During the Fire Chief’s report Asher reported that the department responded to 148 calls which is the second highest in the department’s history. “We are having a busy August. Our average is 136 calls.”
Asher went on to say they had no significant fire loss and no wildfires that got out of control. They responded to a second alarm for a fire at Grand Coulee, recovered a body from Lake Chelan, and responded to a small brush fire at Chelan Shores. Chelan Fire did send units to Winthrop’s fire.
Asher reported that he called the U.S. Department of Agriculture on grant programs and stated that fully funded grants are almost non-existent.
There was an unfortunate issue with reimbursements from State Mobilizations. “If we go to help, we get paid 100 percent for out time and apparatus,” stated Asher. “It won’t happen again.”
TIF news:
Commissioner Russ Jones reported that the district still has a lot of questions and is seeking feedback. “It’s a matter of knowing which questions to ask.” The City of Chelan has implemented a Tax Increment Financing District for the East Chelan Water Project. The TIF affects the amount of tax revenue each Junior Taxing District receives during the project.
New Business:
There was a discussion on obtaining a Utility Vehicle from a grant. Commissioner Ron Simmons remarked that the department needs to “make sure we are talking about obtaining the right apparatus.”
Moving to a five man commission:
There was a discussion regarding changing the commission from three members to five. “I don’t know if this is the right opportunity or time to do this,” said Commissioner Mark Donnell. “We need to have a discussion about the cost. It is a discussion worth having.”
Chief Asher stated that a five man commission would allow the department to have committees without worrying about quorams.
Simmons stated that he didn’t feel the department was large enough for a five man commission. “It would add two more bureaucrats. Do we need to do that.”
Jones stated that it would be worth looking at the cost, but added that the current three member commission was working pretty well. “It is always good to look at things though,” stated Jones.
Special meeting:
The department is planning on holding a special meeting to discuss the Board of Commissioners and Fire Chief Relations, along with Board and Staff Relations.
School Bond Issue:
Superintendent of the Chelan School District, Brad Wilson, was on hand at the beginning of the meeting to inform the fire district of the $73 million dollar bond issue on the November ballot.
Wilson said the ballot measure includes a new elementary school to replace MOE which has serious infrastructure issues, new ventilation for the middle/high school, construction of a ground level weight room, Mountain Goat All Weather Track facility that would allow the school to hold track events, adding 300 parking spots at Mt. Goat Field, along with restrooms and grandstands at Mt. Goat Field.
Wilson remarked that the OSPI’s Facilities Rating System has rated the elementary school at scale of 50.3/100 and the middle/high school at 57/100.
All Things Lake Chelan 