The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

As longtime volunteer firefighters are retiring, the local volunteer pool continues to dwindle. With less than 20 active volunteer firefighters and four EMTs, Columbia-Walla Walla Fire No. 2 is actively recruiting new volunteers.

On June 8, the department will be on hand to answer questions about the department and volunteering at Spark in the Park in Prescott. The department, along with LifeFlight, will be in the Prescott Park from 1-4 p.m. Volunteers will also man a booth at Pomegranate Park (between the Tuxedo Bar & Grill and Prescott Library) from 5-8:30, while The FrogHollow Band performs in the park.

Over the past few weeks, The Times has profiled some current department vol- unteers to learn about their experiences and how they work volunteering around the other responsibilities.

This week, we wrap up the series with Colter Mohney who is a longtime volunteer and the current acting chief.

COLTER MOHNEY

Colter Mohney is among the longest-serving volunteers at Fire No. 2 in Waitsburg and estimates he has been a volunteer for at least 14 years. He is currently assistant chief/acting chief and has served as association president, captain and assistant chief through his years with the District.

Mohney said he was inspired to volunteer because he understands the im- portance of and need for community service, especially in a small town.

“My dad was a volunteer and there were many more active people back then than there are now, but even then, sometimes only a few would show up for a call. I saw the need for volunteers. It was a need then and it’s a huge need now,” Mohney said.

Mohney currently volunteers as a firefighter but has also served as an EMT in the past. He said the majority of his training has been first-hand on-the-job training. He, along with the majority of volunteers, has first-aid/CPR training, Red Card (wildland firefighting) certification, SCBA training, along with “little bits” of wildland, structure and extrication training provided via neighboring departments or interdepartmentally, he said.

Mohney works full-time as the Maintenance/Facilities/Transportation for the Waitsburg School District and is often the only volunteer in town that is able to run an engine when a call goes out in the middle of the day.

While he says the school board and district are overall supportive him leav- ing work to take calls, Mohney opts to debit his vacation hours for any time spent away from work on calls, in order to deter any potential criticism or con- troversy.

“Times have changed. There is now a huge population that works outside Waitsburg so not many are available during the day. And I don’t go to every call. If I get to the station and there is a big turnout, I’ll go back to work and let them know they can call if they need me,” Mohney said.

Mohney says giving back to the community, the camaraderie, and, admit- tedly, the adrenaline, are the best parts of volunteering with the fire depart- ment.

When it comes to challenges, he said that prioritizing work, family, calls, and obligations to the department outside of calls can be “a lot to juggle.”

Mohney said the department is desperately in need of new volunteers and that there are numerous opportunities within the department.

“We would love to have them. If someone is interested, they can talk to one of us or stop in at the stations to ask questions. We’re always open to talk. We would love to get more people on board and will help them do that, however it is needed,” he said.