Chief's Monthly Report
West Valley Fire
Department
Yakima County Fire
District 12
For the Meeting March
10th, 2026
Agenda
Topic: Department Monthly
Progress Report
Prepared
By: Chief Nathan Craig
Date Prepared: March 6th, 2026
The purpose of this report is to update
the Board of Fire Commissioners, Officers Management Team, and fire personnel
on recent department activities and progress on strategic objectives.
Personnel
- Current
Staffing: Total personnel 96, with 82 on-call members (54 operations, 9
support, 14 Recruits, 2 medical and 2 on leave).
- We had two
resignations last month, both career firefighters.
Strategic
Plan
- Communications Plan: On track.
- Action Plan: Progress
report in packet.
Interlocal
- OIC Rating System Study: Attended
the engagement in Kennewick, attendees rated areas to review for insurance
coverage, the need for a wildfire response evaluation was the highest
topic on the list.
- Pulse Point:As we await the rollout of pulse point to the public, fire districts
reviewed their app for response like how we use ISPY to notify responders
of alarms. More discussion will follow in the county before any changes
are made.
- County Residential Burn Restrictions:A final copy of the restrictions
were reviewed with the fire service, anticipate the BOCC holding public
hearings soon to approve.
Department
Training and Safety Prepared by DC Johnston
February Drills included: Equipment
Check / Station Drill, OTEP Module 1 (Shock and Endocrine Emergencies), and
SCBA Team Building.
Developed the March Drill Schedule:
Equipment Check / Station Drill, OTEP Workshop (Shock and Endocrine
Emergencies), Live Fire Evolutions, and Brush Truck Review with Annual Fire
Shelter Video & Throw.
On February 17th the
Safety & Training Committee met with the Draeger SCBA Representative to
demo their air-packs. He left us with
two air-packs to train with.
On February 24th I hosted
an Open written IFSAC testing night, six firefighters (4 West Valley, 1 Selah,
and 1 Grandview) tested that night.
On February 21st I
assisted YCFD #5 as an Evaluator with their IFSAC HazMat skills testing.
On February 26th I met
with our FIIRES L & I Representative to discuss plans for this years
compliance requirements. By
participating in this program we receive a 10% reduction of our Workman
Compensation premiums for all of the Career members as well as being able to
participate in grant funding.
On March 3rd the Safety
& Training Committee met with the MSA Representative to demo their SCBA
Air-packs.
The recruits are currently working on
their wildland fire classes.
Operations
In January and
February combined there were a total of 164 alarms in the district, 60 were ambulance
calls.
Incidents: YTD Incidents by Zone YTD Zone
Station 51
11 11 45 45 (27%)
Station 52
30 30 74 74 (45%)
Station 53
16 16 31 31
(19%)
Station 54
8 8 14 14 (9%)
Station 50
39 39 164
Yakima
0 0
Ambulance Only
48 48
Ambulance Lift 12 12
Total 164
Incident Type: Month Type YTD
Fire 17 15 bldg(7M/AA), 1 vehicle, 1
other
17
EMS 126 2 MVC 126
Hazardous Condition 0
0
Service Call 18 14
Lift, 4 Smoke alarm
18
No Emergency 3 2
outdoor burning, 1 smoke 3
Action Taken: Month Type YTD
Canceled enroute 14 2
EMS, 2 AFA, 2 AMA 7 M/AA 14
Extinguishment 9 8 bldg, 1 vehicle 9
Provide BLS 115 115
Assist Invalid 15 15
Investigate 10 3MVC, 2 EMS, 3 Smoke, 2 AFA 10
Other 1 Provide Air Support
1
Automatic Aid Received (both agencies respond) Automatic Aid Given
From Highland 0 To Highland 1
From Yakima 1 To Yakima 3
From Gleed 0 To Union Gap 6
To BIA 0
YTD 1 YTD 10
Mutual Aid Received 0 Mutual Aid
Given 3
YTD 0 YTD 3
There was a total
of $80,750 in losses in January. Two
separate residential fires caused $35,750 in damage, a detached shop resulted
in $30k total losses, a shop fire for $35k in loss and vehicle fires caused
$15k in total damage. There were no
losses in February.
We have played back some on duty calls and the numbers
we have don’t seem accurate, we are working on a solution to creating accuracy
since we know our response times are much better than what is shown in this
report. Adjustments will be made when we
figure out the discrepancy.
NFPA 1720 Responses for rural areas (6 FFs on scene
within 14 minutes, 80% of the time). Incidents: 0 mo, 3 yr, target met mo. 0
(100%), yr 3 (100%), target not met: mo. 0 (0%) yr. 0 (0%).
Fire Prevention/Public Education Prepared by Officer Boisselle
The first edition
of the 2026 District newsletter has been mailed out.
Logistics Updates
- Apparatus Updates:
- Tender 52: In progress
- Engines: Completion set for July 2026.
- Tender 53: Work starts in March.
· Completed: Rehab
Safety Vests, pagers, portable radio maintenance
· In Progress: Brush
Truck Equipment
· Station 52 & 54 Generators: Project awarded, on order no ship date yet.
· YFD Surplus:
We purchased a slip tank from Yakima Fire to increase our wildland capability.
Grants:
·
DNR: Awarded DNR Phase I and II grants for wildland equipment
Brush 253.
·
52 Parking
lot: As of now the project is included in
both the Senate and House supplemental budgets.
·
NVFC: Submitted a request for a pallet of canned drinking water.
Community Engagement and Events
·
Awards
Banquet: Firefighter Drew
Butler FF of the Year, Firefighter Jaden Davie EMS Provider of the Year. Captains Haubrich, Vetsch, and Biddick
retirements. 12 Members recognized for
years of service and 7 EMTs.
·
Association
Events: Egg Hunt March 28th
·
Red Cross: Blood Drive March
9th.
·
NW Leadership
Seminar:
I attended the three day seminar in Portland early this month.
Respectfully,
Nathan
Craig
Fire
Chief