The city of Airway Heights is coming off a somewhat rocky Fourth of July weekend.
During Monday’s City Council meeting, Fire Chief Mitch Metzger informed council and staff that the Fire Department responded to nine fires on July 4. Metzger said seven volunteers came in, off duty, to help with the fires, as well as respond to the emergency service calls that evening. Airway Heights received help from Spokane County fire districts 3 and 10 and the Fairchild Air Force Base Fire Department.
“Most of the fires started around 9 p.m. and subsided at about 11 p.m.,” Metzger said. “There was one fire at around 1 a.m. near Spoko Fuel.”
Metzger said fireworks were involved in eight of the nine fires. Seven of those fires had fireworks that are legal in the city.
One of the challenges firefighters faced in responding to incidents was the lack of access to roads for vehicles because people were blocking them. Another issue was nonresidents coming into Airway Heights to set off fireworks.
“I had contact with many people who were from outside of the city,” Metzger said.
Metzger commended the Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments, as well as residents for cleaning up the mess left from the fireworks.
Airway Heights currently allows fireworks to be set off only on public property. Deputy Mayor Kevin Richey noted that past Fourth of July celebrations were not as hazardous as this year’s.
Staff and council discussed ways to curb the issue in the future. Mayor Patrick Rushing suggested a tax on the sale of fireworks to help pay for firefighters and police officers who work on July 4.
Police Chief Lee Bennett suggested the city start educating residents on the danger of fireworks beginning in May.
In other fire-related matters, the council approved the Fire Department’s annual inspection policy. According to the policy, the department will conduct inspections for commercial businesses at random times. They also authorized the public safety committee to once again meet with Fire District 10 to discuss options for cooperative fire services.
In other action items, council approved an amendment to the 2015-16 priorities the city adopted this year, specifically the goal relating to enhancing public safety services. The amendment removed the objective that asks voters to approve the EMS levy that will be on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Council also authorized the governmental building committee to begin the public outreach process regarding research of the construction of a recreational facility. The committee will work with the Park Board and the senior and youth advisory commissions to gather feedback from residents on where they would like to see the facility constructed.
Finally, council approved another amendment to the Public Works Director job description. City Manager Albert Tripp said this amendment updates the nature of work performed by the public works director, as well as their role in supervising, hiring and firing public works employees.
He added that the city will advertise for the position this week and interview the first group of candidates, July 23.
“We should have someone come on board in about a month,” Tripp said.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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