Personnel sent to multiple locations
SPOKANE VALLEY – With fires erupting around our region nearly two weeks ago, responders were called from all over to assist in battling the blazes.
Being able to help neighboring responders and still maintain a level of service locally is just part of the job according to the Media Manager for the Spokane Valley Fire Department Patrick Erickson.
"We have mutual aid with all Spokane County fire districts/departments," Erickson said. "As a fire grows and more resources are needed, the receiving fire district/department requests additional fire resources through dispatch, and they tone out the required resources if available."
He said the department also has Fire Chiefs working as Area Coordinators with the agencies needing help.
These coordinators start working on gathering all the resources. They also review updated maps to see how much help is needed, and which agencies can provide personnel without affecting their local service coverage.
"This requires coordination with everyone. Here at Spokane Valley Fire, we did a call back to staff reserve fire engines and command staff positions to make sure we could meet our needs and still help our neighbors," Erickson said. "In times like this, we all help each other because every fire department is understaffed and low on resources."
"For a significant incident like this, it takes all of us to mitigate this danger to our Spokane County citizens," he added.
The Valley department was able to send nine pieces of equipment and 19 personnel to assist on the Gray Fire that scorched parts of Medical Lake and Four Lakes. The fire burned over 10,000 acres in the West Plains.
According to Erickson the department jumped at the opportunity to help.
"The Fire Service is family, and our family has been affected by this fire, with three of our employees losing everything in this fire as they are not only a part of our organization but residents of Medical Lake," Erickson said. "Our hearts go out to them and all of those who lost something."
They also sent out six fire fighting apparatus and 16 personnel to help on the Oregon Road Fire near Elk, Washington.
Going a step further, there were also a few smaller fires that started up while crews were still battling the bigger fires. The Valley department also sent crews out to help stamp out a fire along Highway 195 at Thorpe Rd.
Erickson also said the department gets support from a lot of local businesses. He said Lowe's Home Improvement donated four pallets of water and Gatorade to the residents of Medical Lake, and that it was Spokane Valley Firefighters that delivered the donation.
"In the fire service, we are family; as a family, we are there in a time of need because tomorrow, we will be asking for help," Erickson concluded.
Matthew graduated from West Virginia University-Parkersburg in 2011 with a journalism degree. He's an award-winning photographer and enjoys writing stories about people.
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