GUEST EDITORIAL: Fire chief asks for help to stop thieves

MOSES LAKE - In the last three months Grant County Fire District 5 has had an alarming increase of break-ins at our Volunteer Stations - Station 5 twice (Wheeler and Road Q), Station 2 (Mae Valley Road) and Station 10 (Neppel Road and Road 10 Northeast). Thieves are taking construction tools, medical, fire equipment and fire portable radios off our first out fire engines. There have been numerous break-in attempts to other Volunteer Stations in our 565 square-mile fire district. 

I know times are hard, but stealing medical, fire equipment and portable radios off our first out fire engines places our volunteer firefighters in danger due to missing medical/fire equipment and portable radios to communicate on the fire/rescue grounds. Every time we have a break-in, our insurance policy covers the fire equipment, medical and radios but it jeopardizes our insurance policy.

The commissioners and I are writing this letter to the local newspaper to express our concern for the safety of our firefighters that respond to emergency calls where every minute counts for life and death situations. The medical, fire equipment and radios we use determine the success of saving homes and lives; including District 5 firefighters. Stop the break-ins and show some compassion toward District 5 firefighters that get out of bed at all times of the day/night, weekends and even holidays to rush to assist your loved ones, friends and possibly you.

To pawn shops and our valuable customers; all District 5 medical/fire equipment including portable radios have a District 5 sticker and engraved numbers into the equipment.  If people attempt to sell our fire equipment, please notify us at once at 509-675-3175. 

Fire District 5 is offering a $500 reward for reliable information that assist in the arrest of the people breaking into our fire stations.

I plead to the people who are placing our customers and firefighters lives into danger to stop before someone is injured or killed in the line of duty.  Thank you for your time.