Westside Stories

Wahkiakum County Fire District 3 serves the West End of the county, operating stations in Grays River on N. Hull Creek Road, Rosburg on Raistakka Road, and a small station on Salmon Creek Road. Their coverage area extends from KM Hill in the east to the Pacific County line in the west, including the portions of Salmon Creek that fall within Wahkiakum County.

The department consists of approximately 25 volunteers, with eight to ten of them regularly responding to calls and attending training sessions throughout the year. Among these volunteers, four are certified EMTs. When a call comes in, the available responders, regardless of the time-day or night, rain or shine-are the ones who respond. On average, the department handles 80 ambulance calls and 25 fire calls per year, which include structure fires, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies. When necessary, they receive support from neighboring departments in Naselle, Skamokawa, and Cathlamet.

When responding to ambulance calls, EMTs may spend several hours on a call if a patient requires transportation to the hospital. Their goal is to take patients to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria for the quickest medical care possible. Additionally, EMTs receive a yearly stipend in recognition of the numerous hours they dedicate to their work.

In May, Ken Ruch successfully passed his test with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Once the department receives his state certification, the number of certified EMTs will increase to five, and Ken will be able to start responding to calls in this new capacity. This is a significant asset for the community. Thank you, Ken, for the long hours and determination you put into completing the courses and passing the test.

Living in a rural area can pose challenges during a medical emergency, as it may take time to receive life-saving care. One service that residents might not be aware of is membership with LifeFlight. For a nominal annual fee, this membership provides coverage for both air and ground transport. It can be a wise investment, especially for those with medical conditions or anyone seeking peace of mind. Visit their website at lifeflight.org for more information.

The department is overseen by three elected commissioners, each serving a six-year term with elections rotating every two years. The current commissioners are Firefighter Mark Letham, Linda Strong, and Firefighter/EMT Mike Whalen. Although they have the option to receive compensation for their service, most commissioners opt to decline payment, as funds are needed for crucial equipment and gear. Key leadership positions within the department include Fire Chief Robert Maki, Assistant Fire Chief/EMT Austin Burkhalter, and Secretary/Firefighter Andrea Vincent.

Funding for the fire department primarily comes from property taxes; however, these funds do not fully cover the many expenses associated with operations. The department faces costs related to replacing aging equipment, vehicles, and turnout gear; maintaining buildings, and providing ongoing training and certifications for volunteers. As a result, volunteer fire departments rely heavily on the generosity of the community for donations and additional support. Unfortunately, rules and regulations prevent the department from directly soliciting donations from local residents.

Recently, a group of brothers generously donated $15,000 to the department as matching funds. As a resident of the county and a columnist, I am doing my part by encouraging others in our community, if they are able, to consider making matching donations to Fire District 3. The funds will primarily be used to replace turnout gear that is well past its recommended usage period.

I want to express my gratitude to Robert Maki, Mark Letham, Austin Burkhalter, and Andrea Vincent for taking the time to meet with me and answer all my questions. At the end of our meeting, I asked each of them why they choose to volunteer in this capacity. Their answers were similar, but Austin summarized it best.

"I enjoy helping out in the community," he said. "I really like working with the other volunteers. It's important to give back, and it's a service that's much needed. We need people willing to volunteer, even for small tasks. It takes time and effort. Everyone in a small community should, if possible, do their part to help out."

More volunteers are always needed. The requirements to join are simple: you must pass a physical exam and a background check. Training is offered throughout the year, as well as on-the-job training as calls come in. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, please reach out to one of the commissioners, the Fire Chief, or the Assistant Fire Chief. Your willingness to serve will be greatly appreciated.

Westside Happenings

June

12 - Appelo Archives Author Series,

Greg Jacob, 1 p.m.

12 – Moving sale at Naselle Community

Center, 3 – 8 p.m.

13 - Moving sale at Naselle Community

Center, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

17 –NGRV School Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

18 –Family Storytime at Naselle

Timberland Library, 10:30 a.m.

18 -The Reptile Lady at Naselle Timberland

Library, 5 p.m.

19 – Farm & Kitchen Barter Night at

Grays River Grange, 5 – 8 p.m.

20-22 – Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer

Festival

21 – Finnish Midsummer Tea at Appelo

Archives Center, 1 p.m.

21 – Bazaar, Art, and Garage Sale Summer Kickoff at Johnson Park, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

25 – Family Storytime at Naselle

Timberland Library, 10:30 a.m.

25 – Design-A-Duck at Naselle Timberland

Library, 1 p.m.

To include an event on the calendar or to give feedback, please contact me at writerlisayeager@outlook.com. You can also follow me on Facebook @ Writer Lisa Yeager.