Chief's Monthly Report
West Valley Fire Department
Yakima County Fire District 12
For the Meeting March 11, 2025
Agenda Topic: Department Monthly Progress Report
Prepared By: Chief Nathan Craig
Date Prepared: March 7, 2025
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.
Operations
In February there were a total of 81 alarms in the District, 19 were ambulance only calls.
Incidents: YTD Incidents by Zone YTD Zone
Station 51 7 12 11 21 (20%)
Station 52 14 24 26 44 (41%)
Station 53 11 13 21 34 (32%)
Station 54 4 6 4 7 (7%)
Station 50 26 (0 Duty) 51 106
Yakima 0 1
Ambulance Only 19 (7 Lift) 43
Total 150
Incident Type: Month Type YTD
Fire 5 4 bldg, 1 veg 8
EMS 59 42 EMS, 10 MVC, 3 AMA, 4 assist 101
Hazardous Condition 2 gas leak 2
Service Call 8 7 lift, 1 water problem 15
Good Intent 0 11
False Alarm 7 7 AFA 13
Action Taken: Month Type YTD
Canceled enroute 6 1 AA Bldg, 1 MVC, 3 EMS, 1 Lift 17
Extinguishment 4 3 building, 1 vegetation 7
Provide BLS 47 85
Assist Invalid 6 13
Investigate 16 7 AFA, 2 gas, 4 MVC, 3 AMA 26
Other 0 2
Automatic Aid Received (both agencies respond) Automatic Aid Given
From Highland 2 To Highland 0
From Yakima 1 To Yakima 1
From Gleed 0 To BIA 0
YTD 4 YTD 3
Mutual Aid Received 0 Mutual Aid Given 0
YTD 0 YTD 0
Three structure fires caused $15,700 in damage, an electrical fire in a commercial kitchen, a residential roof fire and a residential attic fire.
Response Times:(Target= within 1 mile of station 8 minutes or less, add 2 minutes every mile after) Qualifying Alarms: 49mo, 82yr, Target met: mo. 34 (69%) yr. 57 (70%), Target not met: mo. 15 (31%) yr. 25 (30%).
NFPA 1720 Responses for rural areas (6 FF’s on scene within 14 minutes, 80% of the time). Incidents: 3mo, 5yr, target met: mo. 1 (33%), yr 3 (60%), target not met: mo. 2 (66%) yr. 2 (40%).
Personnel
- Current Staffing: Total personnel stand at 90, with 80 on-call members (60 operations, 14 support, and 5 on leave).
Recruitment/Retention Preparedby DC Johnston
The recruits from the Fall and Winter are currently in the Wildland portion of their training. We will culminate with a joint field day on May 10th with Districts 4, 5, 6, and 12 at District 5’s Station #7 in Sawyer.
Department Training and Safety Preparedby DC Johnston
February Drills included: Equipment Check / Station Drill, OTEP Module 1 (Mass Casualty Incident Triaging & Orthopedics), Search, and Extrication Skills.
Developed the March Drill Schedule: Equipment Check / Station Drill, OTEP Workshop A (Mass Casualty Incident Triaging & Orthopedics), Multi Company Operations, and Brush Truck Review / Fire Shelter Video & Throw
On February 4th we worked with a representative with Draeger on training with our new multi gas meters, members from the Duty Crew visited the stations to distribute the tool and train the members with the operation of them.
On February 12th the Safety and Training Committee met for the 1st quarter meeting.
On February 13th I had our Councilor Michael Rhine attend recruit class to discuss the importance of Mental Health as it relates to the fire service.
On February 15th I participated as an Evaluator for District 5’s IFSAC HazMat Testing.
On March 15th we will be hosting a 2-day National Fire Academy class – Preparing for Initial Company Operations (PICO).
On March 29th we will be hosting an Energy Systems class.
Fire Prevention/Public Education Prepared by Officer Boisselle
· 1st Edition of the 2025 District newsletters was delivered the end of February to WV citizens.
· EDITH House April 22nd & 23rd
Interlocal Coordination
- 911 Nurse Navigator:The nurse navigator program is scheduled to begin April 22nd.
- Pulse Point:Scheduled to be rolled out to the community in May.
Logistics Updates
- Apparatus Updates:
- Brush 51: We delivered the chassis to US Fire Equipment February 26th, they have already had it painted and started the 180-day build.
- Engine 54: We are working with three separate manufacturers to develop a specification that meets our parameters.
- Tender 52: General Fire has completed the work on the chassis, engine and drive train, they are starting the pump work now.
- Tahoe: Sold to Wapato Fire.
· Carports:
o DC Johnston has been in contact with the county on any requirements to build the carports, residential would not require a permit, commercial they are requiring permits with engineered drawings. This requirement limits the brand we can purchase. Jim is researching who provides engineered drawings for these types of structures.
Strategic Plan –
- Action Plan: Report in packet.
- Operational Assessment: We are finishing the first round of data submissions; Mr. Stouffer has visited all stations to review stations and equipment as well as begun drafts of the assessment.
- Wellness: Chaplain Quantrell and DC Johnston met with other chaplains from around the county in Gleed to focus on coordination and working together.
Grants
DNR Phase I Equipment: Submitted our equipment request when the grant opened and received most of our orders.
Legislation
· Bill Tracker:
o We are now tracking 13 bills we provided comment on this legislative session as well as requesting support for volunteer incentives, our local community project, fuel tax relief, and all-risk mobilization in addition to other state asks for wildfire funding.
o Following our initial legislative information on the letterhead we have followed up with comment directly on some bills as well as signed in pro or con in the legislative record.
Community Engagement and Events
- Association Events:
- The awards banquet is scheduled for March 22nd.
- Community Easter Egg Hunt, April 19th.
· Northwest Leadership Seminar: I recently attended this seminar in Portland, OR, three days of good discussion and networking with other emergency services leaders.
Good of the Order
· Red Cross Blood Drive:
o March 7th blood drive netted 36 units.
Respectfully,
Nathan Craig
Fire Chief