ECFR’s budget projections show the fire district will enter a negative cash flow in 2024 without additional revenue.

Fire Chief Ed Hartin from East County Fire and Rescue · 8 hr ago

Our fire district is asking voters to restore the fire levy to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2024. The lid lift would last for one year and fund up to four full-time personnel to staff both stations full-time and save money towards purchasing two engines and water tenders by 2032. The lid lift would cost the owner of a $650,000 (considered an average for our area) $23.29 per month/$279.50 per year. Please note that property value increases do not equal the revenue increases we receive. For example, if your property value increases by 25%, we do not receive that additional amount in taxes. We are limited to a 1% revenue increase per year.

Come to one of our open houses and learn more about your fire district and the lid lift ballot measure.

C91 & WT 94 on a structure fire last night on Washougal River Road in Skamania County.

Fire Chief Ed Hartin from East County Fire and Rescue · 1 day ago

Starting the day with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) training.

Fire Chief Ed Hartin from East County Fire and Rescue · 4 days ago

Every day is a training day!

ECFR E91, C91, & VFD E4 on a commercial vehicle fire on NE Bradford Road..

Fire Chief Ed Hartin from East County Fire and Rescue · 5 days ago

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At the beginning of 2023 the availability of response from Station 94 on the east side of the Washougal River was 100%.

Fire Chief Ed Hartin from East County Fire and Rescue · 5 days ago

Over the course of 2023, the average availability for response from this station was 33.7% due to turnover and inability to fill part-time firefighter positions. When the district cannot maintain sufficient personnel on duty to staff both stations with a two-person crew, Station 94 is closed. This increases response times to areas of the district to the east of the Washougal River as resources must respond from a more distant station in the district or from a neighboring agency.

This staffing pattern is not sustainable and can jeopardize the outcome of emergency calls due to delayed response. ECFR is proposing to hire up to four additional full-time emergency personnel to ensure both stations are staffed full-time.

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey swearing in new ECFR Fire Commissioner Brendan Addis.

Fire Chief Ed Hartin from East County Fire and Rescue · 7 May

International Firefighters Day was originally established in Australia following a wildland fire in 1998 that resulted in five firefighter fatalities.

Fire Chief Ed Hartin from East County Fire and Rescue · 4 May

May 4th was the date chosen for International Firefighters’ Day as it is the feast day of St Florian (the patron saint of all firefighters). Take a moment to recognize the commitment of firefighters around the world in protecting their communities.

Our fire district experiences a high turnover of emergency personnel.

Fire Chief Ed Hartin from East County Fire and Rescue · 3 May

Turnover is significant for part-time emergency personnel. In 2023, it was 100% and we have been unable to consistently fill these positions as they leave for agencies that offer full-time employment. This means full-time firefighters must work significant overtime, which costs taxpayers more and has physical and mental impacts resulting in staffing shortages. Volunteer firefighter turnover is significant as they manage work and family commitments.

We consistently staff Station 91 (NE 267th Avenue) as it has higher call volumes but must close Station 94 (SE 352nd Avenue) on the other side of the river when we have insufficient staffing. This delays response times, as does relying on mutual aid to respond from a neighboring agency. This staffing pattern is not sustainable and can jeopardize the outcome of emergency calls. ECFR is proposing to hire up to four additional full-time emergency personnel to ensure both stations are staffed full-time.

During the month of May, ECFR members ate training on preventing & responding to firefighter maydays.

Fire Chief Ed Hartin from East County Fire and Rescue · 2 May

Every day is a training day!

ECFR, CWFD, & VFD working a residential fire on NE 60th Street earlier this evening.

Fire Chief Ed Hartin from East County Fire and Rescue · 29 Apr

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