West Valley Fire Staffs Dayside
YAKIMA - KIMA is following up on staffing at the West Valley Fire Department after it broke off a deal with the Yakima Fire Department.
KIMA learned west valley now has volunteers on staff during the week.
Two people are there from 7am to 7pm, Monday through Friday. That covers about two-thirds of weekday calls. We found this also improves response times by four minutes.
The Deputy Fire Chief said this will cost $30,000 a year, but that's still a savings compared to the contract with Yakima fire.
" Yeah, Yakima wanted $60,000 and that was to do just that small portion of Scenic and Cowiche Canyon. This way for $30,000 we're providing a much larger area of our district with that first response," said Deputy Fire Chief, Nathan Craig.
Firefighters get a small stipend for their day shifts. There's hope of adding a night shift next year.
KIMA learned west valley now has volunteers on staff during the week.
Two people are there from 7am to 7pm, Monday through Friday. That covers about two-thirds of weekday calls. We found this also improves response times by four minutes.
The Deputy Fire Chief said this will cost $30,000 a year, but that's still a savings compared to the contract with Yakima fire.
" Yeah, Yakima wanted $60,000 and that was to do just that small portion of Scenic and Cowiche Canyon. This way for $30,000 we're providing a much larger area of our district with that first response," said Deputy Fire Chief, Nathan Craig.
Firefighters get a small stipend for their day shifts. There's hope of adding a night shift next year.
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