Sarah Hancock, Fire Chief, Fire District #14
Thank you for your unwavering support in helping protect High Prairie during this challenging wildfire season. Your vigilance and cooperation have been instrumental in keeping our community safe.
Unfortunately, this wildfire season is far from over. Between now and October, the fires we face are likely to become more severe due to the hot weather, strong winds, and our extremely dry vegetation. It is important to remain vigilant until the burn ban has been rescinded. The end of the burn ban relies solely on the weather and has not been set yet.
As your Fire Chief, I want to assure you that I am dedicated to proactive planning and mitigation efforts to ensure we have the necessary resources available at all times, should the unfortunate need arise. Emergencies can strike without warning, and it is our duty to be ready to respond when called upon.
Wildfires can sometimes grow too quickly for a single local fire district to manage alone. This is why High Prairie has ongoing crucial mutual aid agreements with fire districts across Klickitat County, as well as with districts in Skamania, Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties. These agreements ensure that when the need arises, we can pool our resources and expertise to combat most wildfires within our communities.
The majority of firefighters in Klickitat County are volunteers, with the exception of the Fire Chiefs for Fire Districts #3 and #7. While this volunteer-based model allows us to serve our communities with passion and dedication, it also presents some unique challenges.
Due to the nature of volunteer work, our firefighters may at times be unavailable due to their primary careers, personal illness, or family commitments. This can mean that we do not always have enough crew members available within our fire districts to spare resources to neighboring districts in need. There are also occasions when we have enough capacity within our districts that we can provide assistance to our neighbors. So far this year, High Prairie firefighters have been able to respond to fires in Dallesport, Bickleton, Appleton, Lyle, Centerville, The Dalles, and Dayton. The fires in Bickleton (Big Horn Fire) and Dallesport (Tidyman Road Fire) were classified as State Mobilizations.
A State Mobilization occurs when a fire district within Washington requests the state to provide additional resources and funding to aid in an incident, whether it’s a fire, hazmat situation, or natural disaster. High Prairie, like many other Klickitat County Fire Districts, has a contract with the state and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) allowing our department to provide resources to State Mobilizations, when our volunteers are available to do so, and receive compensation.
These State Mobilization opportunities are an important source of revenue for our fire department, helping to offset the costs of equipment, training, and other essential operational expenses not covered by property taxes. The funds we receive allow us to better serve our local community and ensure our firefighters have the resources they need to perform their duties safely and effectively.
Just as importantly, these mobilizations provide our firefighters with unparalleled opportunities for professional development and hands-on experience. By assisting other jurisdictions during emergencies, our firefighters gain exposure to new techniques, challenges, and environments that strengthen their skills and knowledge. This, in turn, enhances our department’s overall capabilities and preparedness.
SCBA Grant Awarded to High Prairie and Lyle Fire Departments
This past winter, High Prairie and Lyle Fire Departments came together to jointly apply for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant through FEMA, with the goal of securing funding for much-needed new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs).
As many of you may know, our current SCBAs are over 25 years old and have reached the end of their service life. These vital pieces of equipment, which cost about $17,000 per firefighter, are essential for protecting our firefighters while they are engaged in fighting structure fires. Without the support of this grant, the price tag for replacing our aging SCBAs would make them unattainable.
By working together with our neighboring fire department, we were able to maximize our chances of securing this critical grant. On July 19, 2024, we were notified that the High Prairie and Lyle Fire Departments were awarded a total of $302,512 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant! As part of this award, both our department and Lyle’s department are required to pay 5% of the total cost of the SCBAs. This means we need to contribute a portion of the funds to make this project a success. Knowing this grant was a possibility for us, we started preparing for this cost in advance. By being proactive and setting aside the necessary resources, we are in a position to fulfill our financial obligation and ensure that our firefighters have access to the critical equipment they need to protect our community.
We are committed to providing the highest level of service and protection to our community. This grant award is a testament to our dedication and the importance of investing in the safety and well-being of our volunteer firefighters.
Captain Dave Thom leads the High Prairie Fire crew in a structure fire training using SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus). Seen here on the hose, firefighters Ken Hill & Rick Wilson are in full turnout gear while receiving oxygen as they practice working together moving through a house fire.