Soap Lake lacks wildland fire service

SOAP LAKE - The City of Soap Lake is without wildland fire protection after the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) forced the city to shutdown its only brush fire truck.

In a letter to the city, Bob Bannon, of DNR, wrote the tank currently installed on the truck, which DNR has loaned to the city for use, does not meet the specifications set out by the National Fire Protection Association. Bannon is a manager with the state's Volunteer Fire Assistance Program.

DNR put a hold on any use of the truck until the water tank can be replaced, according to Bannon, something the city doesn't have in its budget, according to councilmember Kandis Lair.

DNR also has the ability to take the truck back if a new tank is not installed. Without the truck, the city does not have any wildland fire protection and many buildings would be at risk if a fire broke out in nearby fields.

According to Councilmember John Glassco, there are also fire hydrants throughout the city that are not operational, leaving an even further gap in available fire service without the truck.

The city is still in the process of rebuilding the fire department and Mayor Raymond Gravelle made it clear contracting with Grant County Fire District 7 and annexing areas are not an option. The city considered a contract with District 7 last year, but Chief Dan Shields has significantly improved the department by more than doubling the amount of trained volunteers, according to a March 18 Columbia Basin Herald article.

A new tank for the rig is estimated to cost about $6,600.

To help raise some money, the Soap Lake Fire Department will be selling hot dogs at the concession stand during the hydroplane races this weekend. The department is in need of donations of hot dogs, chips and pop to help with fundraiser expenses.

If anyone would like to donate supplies, please contact the Soap Lake Fire Department at 509-246-0463.