January 29, 2015 meeting notes


The meeting was called to order at 7am by President Tom Whitfield.  There were 18 members, 2 guests and 2 speakers present. 




Our speakers were Debby Dotson and Chief Holloway from Spokane County Fire District 3.  The district covers almost 560 square miles in southwest Spokane county.  Within the district are many commercial businesses, farming, several large lakes and portions of Interstate 90 and State Route 195.  District resources include about 7 full time staff, 120 volunteers, 10 stations and about 45 vehicles.  They respond to over 1,350 calls a year; about 80% are emergency medical calls.  To help contain costs, the district buys vehicle chassis and builds their own vehicles; they have also built 9 of their stations (for about the price of 6 commercially built stations).  Stations are typically equipped with 1 command vehicle, 1 pumper tender and 1 emergency medical vehicle.  Members asked how firefighting is coordinated between county districts and with DNR.  Chief Holloway explained that DNR has responsibility for treed land and provides air and heavy equipment for firefighting.  Both District 3 and DNR respond when appropriate and set up a unified command.  The county fire districts have one dispatch center and one person is placed in charge of all county resources; the districts do not charge each other for their assistance.


The meeting was adjourned at 8 am.