How you can help battle the devastating wildfires in central Washington
Rep. Tom Dent sent this bulletin at 08/21/2015 12:25 PM PDTHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As you know, devastating wildfires have been raging throughout our state. For the first time in state history, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting volunteers to help battle these fires. DNR has set up temporary community resource coordination centers in Omak and Colville for those who would like to commit their time and/or equipment to the effort. According to the press release DNR sent out yesterday, potential volunteers should contact DNR coordinators in advance with their desired role, existing fire qualifications, location and contact information.
Centers are being established in two strategic locations:
Omak
Contact: Jay Guthrie
Address: Omak City Hall, 2 Ash St. N
Phone: (360) 826-2546
Email: CRC.Omak@gmail.com
Colville
Contact: Julie Sacket
Address: Washington State Department of Transportation Second Floor, 440 N Hwy 395
Phone: (509) 675-7847
Email: CRC.Colville@gmail.com
Our firefighters continue to battle heroically, but they need our help. Anything you can do to assist them is much appreciated.
Please keep our residents, firefighters, and volunteers in your thoughts and prayers during this time. If you have any questions, please either call the resource coordination centers in Omak and Colville or call me at (509) 765-7926.
Below is the full letter that was sent out from DNR yesterday.
Sincerely,
Tom Dent
Citizens asked to coordinate with DNR to support firefight
Centers in Omak, Colville to help volunteers get on the line safely
OLYMPIA – For the first time in state history, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is setting up temporary community resource coordination centers for those wishing to commit time or equipment to fighting the current storm of wildfires. With firestorms raging throughout the state, DNR fire incident command posts and dispatch centers have been inundated with offers from citizens to support firefighting efforts.
“If people want to help, we’d like them to contact our coordinators so we can work on getting them safely and appropriately involved,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “We appreciate all offers of qualified and trained support. Safety for everyone is our highest priority.”
DNR is asking those offers be directed to the temporary coordination centers in Colville and Omak to allow DNR fire officers to remain focused on fighting active fires. The centers will organize training sessions for those not currently qualified to serve on the fire line. Some 80 equipment operators earned their certification to work if called at a training session in Colville earlier this month. Beginning 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, coordinators will review citizens’ offers for resources and direct them to where they can be most beneficial and without jeopardizing the safety of firefighters and the public.
Even if a member of the public has sufficient credentials, deployment to a wildfire will depend on the availability of professional firefighter staff to accompany, direct, and ensure the safety of everyone concerned. The type of credentials that would be considered appropriate for a volunteer include “Red Card” firefighters and “Blue Card” equipment operators.
Centers are being established in two strategic locations:
Omak
Contact: Jay Guthrie
Address: Omak City Hall, 2 Ash St. N
Phone: (360) 826-2546
Email: CRC.Omak@gmail.com
Colville
Contact: Julie Sacket
Address: WA State Dept. of Transportation Second Floor, 440 N Hwy 395
Phone: (509) 675-7847
Email: CRC.Colville@gmail.com
Each station will be staffed during posted hours with DNR coordinators who will sign up volunteers and contractors, determine where their assistance will be of most help, and arrange training in wildfire safety, where appropriate. Phone messages and emails can be submitted and will be reviewed during hours the coordination centers are not staffed.
To expedite the processing service, potential volunteers should contact DNR coordinators at the above phone numbers or email addresses in advance with their desired role, existing fire qualifications, location, and contact information.
13th Legislative District
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Olympia Office (January-April) 411 John L. O'Brien Building - P.O. Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600 (360) 786-7932 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000 |
District Office (April-December) 11905 Rd. 4 NE - #28 Moses Lake, WA 98837 (509) 766-6682 |
