Fire District 15 recruits near graduation

BREWSTER – The current training class of recruits who will form the new corps of volunteer firefighters for Douglas Okanogan County Fire District 15 has completed about 75 percent of its classes, reported Chief Bill Vallance to the regular monthly meeting of DOCFD15 on April 14.

The recruits, whose training photos have appeared in recent issues of The Quad, will complete their training regimen in the first week of May and be ready for graduation. Vallance decided that he will consult with station chiefs and instructors to select a graduation day other than next month’s commissioners meeting.

“We have such a large class (15 members) that there may be a large attendance of parents and that might get in the way of business that needs to be conducted at the meeting.” Vallance reasoned.

The following volunteers are currently training in the recruit class:

Orey Xurape Matthew King
Alexander Romo Amber Heen
Emanuel Zepeda Caleb Smith
Alexandro Romero Alan Perea
Michael Ubalso Rosas Caleb Infante
Christopher Taravera Eric Ramirez
Bryan Talavera David Torres
Alexander Saucedo

Excavation Ram

The district may be adding a tool to its arsenal of rescue equipment in the form of a demo extraction ram that, as the name implies, helps firefighters remove victims trapped in vehicles following an accident.

Valance said a rep for Diamondback Northwest advised him that a demo Amkus ram is available for $9,500, considerably less than its $12,000-plus price tag new.

CEMP funds

EMS Director Tanya Valance cautioned the commissioners that the money the district has received in the past from the Comprehensive Emergency Management Funding (CEMP) through the state Department of Health (DOH) may not be forthcoming this year. 

“There have been a lot of funding cuts to the DOH, so there is a chance we may lose that,” Vallance said.

“This year we budgeted $75,000,” said Vallance. “I’ll be surprised if we get any of that.”

Vallance could not recall what EMS budgeted for CEMP last year, but the amount received was significant.

“We got a little over $200,000 last year,” said Vallance. “That will impact the budget.”

 Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media