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County explores full-time fire-mitigation/assistant fire warden role to expand in-house wildfire work
Summary
Commission asked staff to draft a blueprint for a full-time position to lead wildland mitigation and serve as an engine boss for fires. The county would use mitigation funds and seek state cooperation; a state match figure of about $160,000 was cited.
Josh and county staff briefed the commission on a proposal to create a full-time county position to focus on wildland mitigation and serve as a regional engine boss when needed. The proposal aims to shift some mitigation work from outside contractors to an in-house program to improve continuity and oversight.
Staff said the position would be twofold: mitigation work during the off-fire season and fire response (engine boss qualifications) during fire season. The county would provide funding from the wildland mitigation fund and use the county contribution toward the state-required match. A state match of about $160,000 was discussed during the meeting.
Why it matters: Commissioners framed the position as a long-term investment in wildfire preparedness that could increase local capacity to respond to wildland fires and capture reimbursement from regional deployments as the position assists on state or national incidents.
Details: Staffing and pay remain to be finalized; staff cited state entry rates (previously around $18.18/hour) and noted deployed firefighters receive higher state incident pay (state rate referenced as $33/hour while on incidents). Commissioners asked staff to return with a blueprint, pay/benefit recommendations and how state funds might be applied to the county position. A motion to pursue hiring and to return with details was made; the commission asked for the item to be presented at the next meeting.
