HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/25/1991 Special Meeting 4
CITY OF YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
SPECIAL MEETING
JUNE 25, 1991
The City Council met in special session on this date at 7:00 A.M.
in the Lakeside Room at the Holiday Inn, Yakima, Washington.
Councilmembers present were Mayor Pat Berndt, Henry Beauchamp, Lynn
Buchanan, George Pechtel, Skip Semon and Bernard Sims. City
Manager Zais, City Attorney Vanek, Fire Chief Beeson, Battalion
Chief Dave Bachmann and City Clerk Roberts also present.
Commissioners of Fire District No. 10 present were Phil Naud,
Leonard Growney and Secretary Betty Hill. Also present was Don
Bundy, attorney for Fire District No. 10 and Jim Kennard, Fire
Chief for Fire District No. 10.
1. MEETING WITH FIRE DISTRICT NO. 10 COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Bundy spoke about the community's reaction to the City's
annexation of property in Fire District No. 10, resulting in the
District's demise. There are a lot of apprehensions and questions
about policy and how this transition is going to take place. There
are some differences in service provided by the City and the
District, particularly the use of the defibrillator unit. Chief
Kennard reported there are presently 28 volunteers, one paid chief
and one paid secretary. There have been 14 applications to the
City to volunteer for the City's Auxiliary Force. The majority of
the people who are volunteering have less than one year on the
department. Mr. Growney expressed his concern, as a homeowner,
that the station will be empty when the paid personnel leave. A
one -year firefighter probably does not know how to operate all the
equipment. He would like to see at least one paid firefighter per
shift at the station. Chief Beeson stated that it was never in the
plans to staff that station. If that station were closed, there
would still be adequate fire protection for the Fruitvale area from
the Yakima fire stations, based on all the studies performed. It
is planned to relocate Station 3 to the. vicinity of Englewood and
40th Avenue. Discussion ensued regarding the volunteer program and
why not all the Fruitvale volunteers signed up for the City's
Auxiliary Force. Councilmember Sims asked about the defibrillator
equipment the Fire District owns and operates. Chief Kennard
stated the District has had the defibrillator equipment for about
four years and responded to about 10 -12 heart attacks per year,
with three code saves. He was concerned that this program may not
be continued once the two departments merge. Chief Beeson stated
this program was initially started in the outlying districts
because of the time to get medical help to the scene. The City did
not participate because of the location of the ambulance companies
and the hospitals. Since then, the philosophy has changed and
staff will soon recommend to the Council to get involved in the
defibrillator program. Staff believes it will cost about $50,000
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to purchase equipment and train staff. Chief Kennard stated there
is a licensed ambulance at,. their station, but it is not used to
transport patients, except District personnel, or if no ambulance
is available and it is recommended by,a doctor. Chief Beeson noted
that if all the false alarms were to be eliminated, we would be in
excess of 74% medical runs instead of fire calls. Asked if the
35th Avenue station falls within that two minute response radius,
Chief Beeson stated it is a 1.5 minute radius or covering the City
within a,five minute response time. Mr. Naud stated . he has been
assured the City can and will cover the entire District as of July.
Councilmember Beauchamp stated the City is committed to giving
comparable, quality service as they had before the annexation.
(Councilmember Sims absent after 8:30 A.M.) Mr. Naud stated the
° dissolution of the District has to go before the Boundary Review
Board and they have to apply to Superior Court for a hearing before
the judge. Before the end of the summer, there ,will beno Fire
District No. 10. (Councilmember Pechtel absent after 8:35 A.M.)
Mayor Berndt suggested that keeping .Chief Kennard on for a
temporary or part -time basis might ease the transition and comfort
the Fruitvale community in general, and particularly, the Auxiliary
Force members. Mr. Naud suggested that perhaps' Kennard and
Secretary Hill could be utilized in sorting out the District's
files and records. Chief Beeson stated this could be done by
personal service contracts. Mayor Berndt and Councilmembers
Beauchamp and Buchanan agreed that was a good 'idea. Chief Kennard
asked how the District's funds would be used by the City, stating
that it was collected for fire and emergency medical, use. City
Manager Zais stated the City'Fire Department is funded from the
City's General Fund. Those funds will accrue to the General Fund.
Any capital assets will go to a dedicated Fire Fund. The
money will go into the General Fund, but the EMS levy.
Mr. Growney urged Council to augment the, City; Fire Department
staffing level if at all possible.
There being no 'further business to be discussed, the meeting
adjourned at the hour of 8:45 A.M.
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