City of Port Angeles Fire Department

Consolidation Corner - Combining Volunteer Firefighter Programs
One of the realities of life in the 21st century is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters. Participating in the community as a volunteer firefighter involves a significant commitment. Considering the busy lives that we all lead, it is not surprising that it is getting tougher to find folks who are willing and able to dedicate the time and energy required to be a volunteer firefighter.

In order to address this growing trend, Clallam County Fire District #2 and the Port Angeles Fire Department have decided to functionally consolidate volunteer firefighter programs.

For several months, personnel from Clallam County Fire District #2 and the Port Angeles Fire Department have been meeting to discuss this functional consolidation. By working together through a functional consolidation, both Departments will be able to make the best use of available personnel resources and enable enhanced, more effective response to incidents.

Initially, this consolidation will involve some changes in the assignment and response procedures for existing personnel and a restructuring of training programs - followed by an on-going joint recruitment of volunteer personnel.

Interlocal Agreement
An interlocal agreement has been drafted that will provide the framework for the consolidation. This agreement was presented to the Clallam County Fire District #2 Commissioners at their December 5th, 2006 meeting for approval. The Commissioners approved and signed the agreement

The presentation, and agreement are available below and they detail the responsibilities of both agencies, as well as the basic guidelines that will shape the development of more specific operating procedures.

Also available is the memo to the Clallam County Fire District #2 Commissioners regarding the functional consolidation of volunteer programs.

Commission Memo

Functional Consolidation Presentation

Proposed Interlocal Agreement

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City Council Approves Interlocal Agreement
December 21, 2006
The same presentation was made to the Port Angeles City Council at their December 21st City Council Meeting. The Council also approved and signed the agreement.

This consolidation effort is a complex, but very exciting endeavor. Please check back to the "Consolidation Corner" for regular updates on the progress and more in-depth discussions about the details.

If you have specific comments or questions, please feel free to contact Chief Dan McKeen from the Port Angeles Fire Department (360-417-4651) or Chief Jon Bugher from Clallam County Fire District #2 (360-452-7725).

CONSOLIDATION PROCESS BEGINS
CLALLAM COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT #2 MOVES OFFICES INTO CITY FIRE STATION

In November of 2007, the City of Port Angeles and Clallam County Fire District #2 approved an interlocal agreement to share space. This agreement provides space for PAFD equipment in exchange for space for administrative offices for Clallam County Fire District at the City Fire Station.

The City will be able to move non-urgent vehicles to a District Fire Station and will be sharing a reserve fire engine that is stationed at the District's Lake Sutherland station. This engine, provided by District #2, is available to both the City and the District for those times when the first out or primary response engine is out of service for maintenance. The sharing of this "reserve engine" will permit the City to eliminate their oldest engine.

Clallam County Fire District #2 has begun moving their District Secretary, District Fire Chief and Deputy Chief for Operations into three offices at the PAFD Station. This move will place the District's Chief Officers in a more centralized location to improve responses to major incidents, expand office hours at the Fire Station and provide better accessibility to the public. The PAFD station is located in the center of the city and is also uniquely located in the center of Fire District #2.

In addition, City Council and Fire District #2 Commissioners approved the development of an ad-hoc committee to continue looking for ways to cooperate, consolidate service and enhance the level of service provided to the taxpayers and the public. In December of 2006, the City and District #2 agreed to functionally consolidate their volunteer firefighter programs to make the best use of available personnel resources and enable enhanced and more effective response to incidents both inside the City and in Fire District #2.

The Consolidation process results in a win-win for both the City and Fire District #2 as citizens will realize improved services and cost savings for both agencies.

Fire District #2 will begin administrative services from the PAFD Station on January 1, 2008.

Fact Sheet & Meeting Minutes
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Meeting Minutes

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Memos
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Memos

PenCom - December 28, 2006

Dispatch Request Protocols - March 27, 2007

Dalmatians are symbols of fire departments

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Presentations
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Presentations

Exploring the Feasibility of Consolidating Services / April 23, 2008

Financial - Regarding Consolidation / April 23, 2009

Agency Overviews / May 22, 2009

Operations - Where the Rubber Meets the Road / May 19, 2009

Volunteer Sub-Committee Introduction / February 26, 2009

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Clallam County Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Academy
November 21, 2006
Clallam County Fire Chief's Association is pleased to announce that thirteen dedicated volunteer personnel have successfully completed the 2006 Clallam County Recruit Academy. The academy was conducted over a 12 week, 181 hour comprehensive firefighter recruit academy.

The intensive recruit academy was sponsored by the County Chief's Association and hosted by Clallam County Fire District #2. The academy provides a firm foundation for new personnel who have committed to the rewarding challenge of volunteer firefighting service.

Recruits attended from Clallam County Fire Districts 2 and 4, and Port Angeles Fire Department. A total of 22 instructors from Fire District 2 and Port Angeles Fire Department contributed to the success of the academy. District 2 volunteer Captains Mike DeRousie and Dan Huff conducted the academy as Drill Masters.

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FRONT ROW
Dan Montana, Instructor
Victor DeLeon, Instructor
Trevor Warren, Instructor
Mike DeRousie, Drill Master
Shane Simpson, Instructor

MIDDLE ROW
Nicole DeLaney
Julie Sexton
Kelsey DeRousie
Noah Campana
Amber Lemon
Sky Sexton
Bryron Wolsey

BACK ROW
Brian McGarvey
Tristan Smith
Joshua Rorebeck
Clark Bussell
Jeremy Long
Stephanie Gentile
Brent Tulloch

During the academy, recruits are trained in the proper use of a variety of firefighting tools and equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus, ladders, forcible entry tools, hose and nozzles. Recruits learn emergency vehicle driving skills, fire pump operations, search and rescue techniques and a variety of other skills that are required to perform safely and effectively as a part of a firefighting team.

At the end of the academy, recruits participate in a "live burn" scenario, where they are given an opportunity to demonstrate the skills they have learned in an actual fire environment.

Upon graduation, the new recruits have the knowledge and ability to challenge the test for certification as a Washington State Firefighter I. Recruits will be honored at their graduation ceremony December 14th.

Congratulations!

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A Consolidation Corner Correction
February 2007
The consolidation of volunteer firefighting programs between Clallam County Fire District#2 and the Port Angeles Fire Department has been in effect for a month now, and so far everything is going very well. The first few drills have been very successful, and we have already worked together at a structure fire.

One issue that was brought to our attention is that in previous Consolidation Corner articles we have incorrectly used the term "hiring" in various places. We would like to make sure that there is no confusion because we have used that term. Members of the volunteer fire department are exactly that -- "members." Our volunteer personnel are not "hired," they go through an application process and then become members. Volunteer personnel are not paid, however they do receive a stipend for drill attendance and response to emergency calls.

We apologize for any confusion that may have resulted from our incorrect use of the term "hiring" and we appreciate having this brought to our attention. This has been a long, complicated and very exciting process and we definitely appreciate any and all constructive feedback as we move forward.

Jon Bugher, Fire Chief
Clallam County Fire Dist. #2

Dan McKeen, Fire Chief
Port Angeles Fire Department