Moses Lake Fire adds chiefs

Department plan aims to improve efficiency

MOSES LAKE — The top spots at the Moses Lake Fire Department are about to see a bit of a shuffle.

Chief Tom Taylor said the general public will not notice any changes, but said he is excited about the change he believes will improve efficiency at the department.

Under the plan, current Assistant Chief Corbin Moberg will be re-designated as deputy chief, and two new assistant chief positions will be created. One assistant chief position will be in charge of fire marshal and fire prevention duties, the other in charge of training and safety.

"It's something we're definitely going to feel the effect of in here," Taylor said, noting the structure is something which was done in other communities.

One of the things the department lacked before was a 24-hour duty chief, Taylor said. Department administrators are on call 24 hours each day, but Taylor said the shuffle will allow for a duty chief to be on duty 24 hours per day for all major emergency responses. He said the position would make operations go a little smoother.

The training officers will facilitate training for all employees, from the chief on down. Taylor said the position will be the most important addition because of the changing and additional training regulations, and the multi-agency facet of the department.

The department had previously had two assistant chiefs alongside its chief. The operations assistant chief position was left vacant when Taylor was promoted to chief earlier this year and Taylor has been also performing assistant chief of operations duties.

The increase of command staff, Taylor said, will make for a more efficient department, but will not have an impact on the majority of the department's positions. The department currently has 30 staff including administration, clerk and firefighter/EMT positions.

The two positions have not yet been filled, but Taylor anticipates to have current Moses Lake Fire personnel to fill them within the next few weeks.

The posts are new, but are being created as part of the shuffle and will not be additional fire department staff positions. Taylor said the reorganization will not necessitate staff salary changes, and would decrease the amount of money the department spends on overtime.

"We won't be adding any personnel, but will be promoting form within," Taylor said. "It's kind of exciting for us."