Tim Darland, Fire Chief, High Prairie Fire District #14
As the Fire Chief, I have the privilege and honor of leading a highly trained and competent crew who serve as volunteers on the High Prairie Fire Department (HPFD). In review of the 2017 run reports and training rosters, I am always amazed at how many hours our firefighters provide to the community. In addition, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the High Prairie Community Council members and community volunteers, as they have provided invaluable service to the fire department over the last year.
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To Recap 2017 HPFD Activities: Members responded to a total of 114 emergency calls this last year. Medical emergencies were the majority of our responses, totaling 41. Vehicle accidents were second at 22 responses, followed by 15 wildland fires and 5 structure fires. There were also a number of “good intent calls” in which our firefighters were asked to stand down after responding as other departments gained control of their emergency scene. HPFD Members volunteered a total of 1,781 hours – 744 hours on emergency response and 1,037 hours spent on training and maintenance activities. The Value of Service to our Community in 2017 totaled $43,000. Our collected tax revenue for HPFD in 2017 was approximately $39,000. Money well spent! |
Currently we have a roster of 14 members. Please consider joining our department or Lyle’s as a volunteer. Both could use more personnel on the roster, men and women. We will train individuals through local on-the-job training and/or through other training opportunities with local fire departments. You can be part of this dedicated group committed to helping their neighbors when called.
Other 2017 HPFD highlights:
HPCC received a Legends casino grant for $3,000 which went to purchase a set of turnouts for 1 firefighter.
We received a $2,500 grant from Northwest Farm Credit Services to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
HPCC donated $6,000 to purchase new turnouts for 2 firefighters with the proceeds from the annual High Prairie Firehouse Sale. I personally want to thank HPCC for the time and commitment it took by community members to ensure the Firehouse Sale happened.
Two new firefighters joined the department; please welcome Greg Haner and Carleen Kemp.
The department applied for state appropriated dollars to build the Schilling Road Fire Station through our local Representative Gina McCabe. The House and Senate passed our request last April and June, respectively, but as of the end of the year Governor Jay Inslee had not signed the 2017 capital budget into law. (See update on page 3, “State Funds Schilling Road Fire Station”).
Quick Announcements:
Please join the Lyle and High Prairie firefighters at the annual Fire Department Awards Dinner on Saturday, March 24, at the High Prairie Community Center. Doors will open at 5 pm and dinner will be served at 6 pm. Thirty seats will be available for community members who want to thank their firefighters while enjoying a catered dinner. RSVP to Barb Parrish at highprairiebarb@gmail.com.
Special Thank You to all the volunteers that supported our recent missing-person search by providing coffee, sandwiches, soda and soup. Outstanding job by everyone, as our subject was found in good condition.
And Finally:
HPFD Commissioner Phillip Haner wrote this recently about the fire district’s progress over the last 5 years: “We have apparatus that works, we have several newer apparatus, we have nearly everyone in new turnouts, we have plans to replace our soon-to-expire SCBAs, we have staff working for the department that is great and doing the proper jobs, we have a substantial amount of reserve money in a savings account for future needs or emergency repairs. I could not be more pleased with the Department.”