New Fire Chief identifies areas of need

POMEROY-Garfield County Fire Chief James Cleveland advises the Garfield County Fire Department (GCFD) Board of Commissioners of the upcoming Washington State Survey and Rating Bureau assessment, the State Audit, a change of EMS reporting protocol, and identifies needed essential equipment upgrades and repairs, during the meeting on October 13.

The Washington State Survey and Rating Bureau will be here sometime next year to assess the town for the purpose of setting a rating for fire insurance protection. He believes the GCFD will receive an equal or better rating than previously set.

He also reported the GCFD is due for a three-year state audit, at an estimated cost of $5,650 if the required documents are delivered to Pullman. The state audits are not done on-site anymore.

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) reports are entered online as well as incident reports. Having all the essential information will assist the GCFD in gaining access to grants, and tracking training, fire hydrants and hydrant testing. Cleveland also discovered the GCFD registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) had expired on September 2, 2020. This registration is essential for obtaining federal grants, and he is currently in the process of getting it back to current status.

Equipment inefficiencies has exposed the need for some repair and replacement of approximately half the GCFD's Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. About 10 units need placement at $85 each while other units require repair. Cleveland estimates the cost to be about $1,000 to $1,200. He also identified some firefighter turn-out gear is outdated and recommended budgeting about $2,000 for the cost of replacing three sets each year.

New defibrillators will also be needed in the near future. The models currently being used were made in 2009, and as of January 2021, will be considered obsolete because parts and service will no longer be available. Quotes for new units ranged from $30,000 to $35,000 per unit. In addition, Cleveland would like to replace some hoses, and upgrade the GCFD's radio system.

The board approved Cleveland's recommendation to purchase a new laptop, and wifi repeaters to set up a video teleconferencing unit to be used for training sessions in the ambulance bay area, and to allow internet service. It would also include two monitors and the ability to be mobile. They also approved to switch their internet service to Inland Cellular, which will save the district money as well as gain some service speed.

The Board also approved Cleveland's recommendation to change their method of Unemployment payments. Currently, the GCFD pays through the Reimbursement Method, which is a straight lump-sum reimbursement of any money paid out through a claim. They will now use the Quarterly Tax Option, paying 1-2% of everyone's gross salary each quarter, which should result in some savings. In addition, Cleveland has determined that an old ambulance acquired from Asotin County by the former Fire Chief, is unusable due to a faulty engine, which probably needs to be replaced. The title will be requested from Asotin County so that the vehicle may be disposed, either for resale or scrap.

In other business discussed, Kyle Pearson reported two new EMTs have been approved for volunteer service, Greg Craber and Elliott Cleveland. He also said the delivery of the new ambulance ordered several months ago, has been pushed back to late January, 2021, due to parts order delays.

Commissioner Aaron Stallcop reported he has been compiling a list of firefighters who need new cotton GCFD shirt and hats, and will be placing an order, including some extras, for about $1,850. It is important to replace the polyester shirts that some firefighters now have, which pose a hazard while fighting fires because the fabric can melt to their skin in the extreme heat conditions.

Commissioner Terry John stated the new rain gutters installed on the new fire station building have solved the drainage issue occurring between the new building and the building directly to the west. However, it has been observed that the hillside at the rear of the fire station building is showing some signs of weathering from rain, and should be seeded with grass to stabilize it.

The board voted to return to a 5 p.m. start for monthly meetings, beginning in November and continuing through March of 2021. The next meeting, therefore, will be November 10, 2020, at 5 p.m., at the Fire Station office.