Fire department continues upgrades

Generous donations from local businesses and organizations will help the Ritzville Fire Department continue to upgrade its equipment.

Fire Chief Jim Bostic reported a total of $7,500 has been received by the fire department from the donations and a grant from Burlington Northern Santa Fe, who also purchased new air tanks for the department.

Businesses and organizations contributing include CF Industries, Big Bend Electric Co-op, the Hospital Foundation, Caring Neighbors and one business owner who requested to remain anonymous.

Bostic said the money will go to purchase six new air packs, which will replace all of the departments older models.

The old packs will be purchased as surplus through the company the department is purchasing the new ones from, Bostic explained.

The company, based in Colorado, will refurbish the old packs and then resell them overseas, Bostic speculated.

In addition to these improvements the fire chief has also been working to have the Ritzville Fire Department’s rating re-evaluated.

There is one week remaining until the Washington State Survey and Rating Bureau’s fire service rating of seven goes into effect.

If this rating goes through Bostic anticipates insurance rates in the Ritzville area to increase up to 10 percent for personal insurance and 25 percent for business insurance.

The last Bostic heard from the bureau they were re-evaluating the department but had not come out to re-inspect the facility and equipment.

The department needed to lose roughly 200 points off its inspection in order to retain its level six rating and the new fire truck from Hazelwood helped remove around 150 to 175 points according to Bostic.

In addition to the new truck the fire department has implemented community outreach programs and fire safety inspections as well as replacing outdated equipment in order to maintain its rating.