2023-08-21 Special meeting - Fire Commissioners meetingFire Commissioners’ Meeting – Special BOCC Meeting
Fire District 6, 2123 Jackson Highway in Chehalis
August 21, 2023
6 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Jenn Libby-Jones, Doyle Sanford, Lee Napier,
Undersheriff Wes Rethwill, Nic Scott, representatives from area fire and law enforcement districts
Guest(s): Isabel Vander Stoep, Jared Wenzelburger
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Attendees arrived beginning at 6 p.m., and dinner started at 6:30 p.m. The Fire Commissioners’ Meeting
started at 7 p.m.
Fire Marshal Doyle Sanford said the county has moved to a full burn ban. He discussed changes
regarding road standards.
Undersheriff Wes Rethwill discussed vacancies within the Sheriff’s Office. He noted that Operations has
openings for two road deputies and that Corrections has nine vacancies with three more likely.
Jenn Libby-Jones said the county has started an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) -funded engineering
study regarding radio infrastructure needs. She said 911 is reviewing a potential change to its funding
formula and that the Combined User Committee will review the matter Aug. 24. Jenn said the county
will need to extend its interlocal agreement with user groups beyond the end of 2023 to fill the gap until
new governance of 911 is established.
Randy Pennington discussed protections Seattle City Council has put in place for on-duty firefighters and
EMT. The commissioners said they would discuss the creation of a similar ordinance for Lewis County
the following week.
Jenn Libby-Jones discussed the two-tenths of 1 percent sales tax that will go before voters in November.
Commissioner Brummer noted that the county must remain neutral about the proposal but that the
commissioners as individuals can actively support it.
Fire district personnel noted that the next Fire Commissioners’ Meeting would take place Nov. 20 at
Riverside Fire Authority.
Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.