Firefighters reject water truck

RITZVILLE – Adams County Fire Protection District No. 1 commissioners had an executive session during their May 15 meeting and agreed to deny transportation fees on a water truck.

According to district secretary John Kragt, a truck was delivered which did not meet the bid requirements, and the district rejected it. Commissioner Dave McCormick made a motion for the District Attorney to send a denial letter to Sartin Farms for the transport fees. Commissioner Matt Kubik seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

McCormick also made a motion to approve Brent Engleman as a new District Firefighter for a one year trial period, conditioned upon no driving of a District vehicle and responding to fires with someone from the Harder crew. The Harder crew is a group of firefighters who respond to brush fires and such in the district. The motion passed unanimously after being seconded by Kubik.

In other business,

— Secretary Kragt presented information about a run of false unemployment security scams which will be turned in to the Department of Labor and Industries.

— Chief Scott Kembel expressed concerns over the Harder tanker truck not having a driver this season. Kembel will be exploring possible interest among firefighters.

— Bills totaling $1,391 for the month of May were approved for payment, along with $2,430 in payroll hours.