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Fire chief reports station dryer fire, multiple building fires and planned equipment upgrades
Summary
Fire Chief Charles told the commission the department responded to four building fires in March, described elevator lift-assist calls at senior high-rises and reported a commercial dryer caught fire at the station; a resolution to replace the dryer and a budgeted upgrade for breathing apparatus are pending at city council.
Fire Chief Charles reported that the department responded to four building fires in March, including two on the same night during heavy winds that also caused a warehouse roof fire. “It was definitely accident,” Charles said about at least one of the blazes.
The chief said the department has seen a rise in elevator-related calls at senior high-rises, producing more EMS and lift-assist responses. He noted that, under current fire inspection standards, elevators are not treated as a fire-safety requirement if there is egress via stairs, though the department continues to assist residents when elevators fail.
Charles described a separate incident in early March when a roughly 30-year-old commercial dryer in the fire station caught fire, triggered sprinklers and caused water damage to another washer and dryer. The commercial dryer was damaged and a resolution to replace it is before the city council. The chief said the department also put forward a resolution to upgrade breathing apparatus (air packs) using a budget line item for personal protective equipment. He did not specify vendor names or exact purchase amounts during the meeting.
Commissioners commended fire personnel for maintaining or reducing call volumes despite recent incidents. The replacement dryer resolution and the air-pack purchase were described as pending items at city council; the commission session recorded no vote on those resolutions.
