By Tracy Thompson
the Times 

Columbia-Walla Walla Fire district #2 commissioners meet

 

March 12, 2020



The Columbia-Walla Walla County Fire District #2 held their monthly meeting last Wednesday. Topics on the agenda included the hiring of a designer for a new, more user friendly website for the district, the announcement of a schedule for training events to be held in Waitsburg, the continuing discussion about the scope of the Fire Chief position, and the completion of the first Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) ‘mini grant.’

Commissioner Randy Charles of Waitsburg, stated that the grant application for a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)-approved washer and dryer has been completed and will be submitted soon. The washer extractor and dryer cabinet combination are especially designed for turnout gear (the protective clothing firefighters wear on the job), and will cost approximately $25-30k, with plans to provide the service to other districts. Charles noted “Even if we don’t get it (the grant) writing it has been a good exercise and will ready us for the next cycle.”

A bid for the development of a new website, on a website platform that is intuitive and easy to update, was shared with the commissioners. The bid includes training to manage the site on an ongoing basis. Fire District Clerk Ann Higgins reminded the commissioners that if there is not already a contractor on the small works roster for this function, it requires at least three competitive bids. Other vendors for this service were discussed and the bids will be collected.

The salary and number of hours for the fire chief position was discussed again. Questions about budget capability and possible employment pool were addressed, with the commissioners setting an additional meeting date of Wednesday, March 18 to take a closer look at state and federal regulations and the district’s budget. The merits of hiring a part-time Chief, versus a full-time Chief were discussed, as well.

Commissioner Charles noted the donation of a flat screen tv which has been placed in the front window of the fire station and noted that the double-pane window in front of it causes quite a bit of glare. Commissioners weighed the options of applying a film coating to the window or replacing the window for better visibility of this public communication tool.

Plans were discussed for participating in the annual Celebration Days parade on May 15, with interim Fire Chief Colter Mohney noting plans to have recruitment materials at the ready for the event.

 

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