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Local News

Levy postponed for Okanogan County Fire District 6

By NCBI
May 21, 2012

Okanogan County Fire District 6 has decided not to place a levy on the election ballot this year to build a new fire station in Winthrop. The Board of Fire Commissioners recently decided to wait a year and use that time to communicate with the public about the need for a new facility.

"We spent time listening to the community and learned that now is not the time to ask for a tax increase," said Fire Chief Don Waller. "This is a difficult economy for many people in our area and we want to be sensitive to that."

While the station project is off the table this year, the Board of Fire Commissioners will consider running a levy sometime in 2013 or 2014. In the meantime, the fire district will do minor site improvement work to the property it owns on Horizon Flats Road, just over a third of a mile from Twin Lakes Road.

"The population of our fire district is growing," said Chief Waller. "Now, I know 'growth' is a four letter word in the Methow, but I don't think you're going to be thinking about that when your house is burning down. The fact is that we need a larger station to better serve the public."

The current station, owned by the Town of Winthrop and built in the 1950s, has been expanded four times and there is no room for it to grow. It is too small to accommodate the emergency equipment owned by the district, which makes expensive fire trucks and water tenders vulnerable to weather and vandalism.

In fact, the Winthrop station is so cramped that it is difficult for fire fighters to get into their gear when responding to an emergency. In winter, fire trucks have to slowly navigate a steep hill covered with ice and snow. Both situations can delay response times during an emergency, which is a public safety hazard.

A new station also would provide space to train local fire fighters. Currently, there are no facilities in the district that can accommodate the equipment needed for important rescue and fire suppression training. Chief Waller wants the public to know that the new station would not be used for burning exercises.

Founded in 1960, Okanogan County Fire District 6 covers an area of approximately 350 square miles making it the largest fire district in the county. The district provides fire, rescue and emergency response services from Gold Creek to Lost River, including all unincorporated areas and the communities of Carlton, Winthrop, and Mazama. A team of career and volunteer fire fighters serve 4,000 residents and protect more than 3,500 structures.

For more information about the district, visit our web site at www.okanogancountyfd6.com


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