Othello working to establish city fire department

OTHELLO — An analysis of what the city of Othello would need to set up its own fire department is in the early stages of preparation. Greg Prothman, founder of GMP Consultants, which is working with city officials on the project, said the first step will be determining what the city is looking for. 

“We have a retired fire chief working with the mayor to put together a scope of work,” Prothman said. 

Othello City Council members voted in August 2024 not to renew the city’s contract with Adams County Fire District 5, which expires in May 2026. Fire district officials proposed an increase in the contract, and said their study recommended eventual annexation of the city into the district. Council members and city officials opted to start a city fire department instead. 

Prothman said the city has enough time before the contract runs out to establish its own department. 

Both ACFD 5 and the city have fire equipment, and a press release from the city said the planning will start with an assessment of the city’s trucks, facilities and equipment. The first phase will also include the development of a proposed operating budget. 

Mayor Shawn Logan is running for reelection; he’s facing a challenge from Othello business owner Ken Johnson. They have differing views on providing fire service. 

Logan said Othello is growing; it’s growing faster than Adams County and in his opinion, that has an effect on how city services are provided.  

“The city of Othello is beginning to outgrow some of the previous relationships that we’ve had with the county,” Logan said.  

The city negotiated in good faith with ACFD 5, he said. 

“But we are unable to meet anywhere in the middle,” he said. “The city council voted to go in a different direction because they felt like our priority was to the citizens of Othello, and we needed to focus on that.” 

Johnson said he would prefer to restart negotiations with ACFD 5. 

“I know the city completely cut off negotiations with (ACFD 5), and (ACFD 5) has had to do some things that they need to. I would like to see that brought back to the table to see what we can do,” Johnson said. 

A combined fire department would be more cost-efficient, he said. 

“One fire department that would cover all of us is a cost savings to all citizens around Othello, not just in the city, but in the county, too,” Johnson said.