Monthly Report

To: Commissioners From: Chief John Nohr Date: February 12, 2020 Re: January Report

CCFR CREWS VISIT NEW iTECH CAMPUS Vancouver Public Schools opened their new iTECH Preparatory school on January 6th. Located on NE 50th Avenue at NE 159th Street at the edge of the Washington State University campus, iTECH focusses on science, technology, engineering, and math for the 500 students currently attending. The school was built to eventually serve up to 700 students. Due to the interest in attending iTECH, students must participate in a lottery and hope that they are selected. Up to 10% student slots are reserved for students from the Battle Ground School District since the school is actually located within the boundaries of the BGSD. Crews from CCFR conducted walkthroughs at the school to familiarize themselves with the layout, security, and fire suppression systems. The modern 3-story building is constructed with student safety and security in mind. CCFR receives fees from a state fund to offset the cost of providing fire/EMS responses to schools. The addition of iTECH to the District will increase our share of the state fees.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES On January 16th Chief Nohr headed to Olympia to testify before the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Economic Development, and Trade. Senate Bill 6078 would require insurance carriers to reimburse fire districts when invoices for service have been submitted to the insurance company. Chief Nohr explained to legislators that CCFR relies on income received from billing insurers for responses on state routes and Interstate-5, as well as for clean-up of small hazardous material spills and fuel leaks anywhere in the District. The law, as currently written, is a little vague on reimbursement requirements, and some insurance companies have taken the position that they don’t have to pay the bill. SB6078 cleans up the language in the law and makes it clear that insurance companies February 12, 2020

should be paying the costs when they are billed by fire districts. On January 28th, Commissioner Bartel and Chief Nohr joined Fire District 6 Commissioner Brad Lothspeich and Chief Kristan Maurer for the journey to Olympia for Fire Service Legislation Day. Chiefs and Commissioners from around the state converged on the State Capital to meet local legislators and encourage support for fire service issues. The Clark County contingent was able to meet with Senators , and Annette Cleveland, as well as Representatives , , , and .

SURPLUS STATION AND PROPERTY SELLS The CCFR Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on January 28th to consider offers to buy Fire Station 24 in Ridgefield and a 1.36-acre parcel on NW Hayes Road. The commissioners accepted an offer of $750,000 for the fire station, contingent on the property passing standard inspections. The buyers have not indicated how they might use the property. Commissioners also accepted an offer of $155,000 for the bare land on Hayes Road. The buyers of that property indicated that they would likely build a new house on the land in the near future. Proceeds from the sale of the properties will be deposited into an account earmarked for purchase and/or construction of new fire stations.

RIDGEFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT HOLDS SAFETY DISCUSSION The Ridgefield School District held School Board Bond Workshop with the community on Monday, January 6th, 5:00-6:30 pm. The primary focus was on school safety. The keynote speaker was Alissa Parker, co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, an organization founded by parents, educators, and community members of Sandy Hook Elementary School. Inspired by the children and educators who perished in the December 2012 tragedy, members of Safe and Sound Schools are united in their mission to better protect our schools, provide safe and secure schools, and to help others do the same in their communities. Mrs. Parker lost her 6-year old daughter, Emilie, in the Sandy Hook shooting. She provided a gripping narrative and explained why every community should be concerned about school security and safety. Ridgefield Police Chief John Brooks and CCFR Chief John Nohr joined Mrs. Parker to explain the importance of fire and other safety practices and procedures in our schools.

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