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Fire chief warns of equipment shortfalls, seeks grants and community support
Summary
North Bonneville Fire Chief Kalista Hamilton told council members the department is coping with unpaid bills, repeated vehicle failures and outdated gear; she said the department applied for a $20,000 grant and is seeking donations and surplus equipment from neighboring departments.
Fire Chief Kalista Hamilton told the North Bonneville City Council on March 24 that the fire department is facing persistent equipment and budget shortfalls that have left apparatus and personal protective equipment in need of replacement.
"Since I took my position in December of 2025, every Department vehicle had failed at some point," Hamilton said, noting an unpaid invoice for recent work on Brush 8-3 and that the truck went into limp mode while firefighters were traveling to training. She said the department has discovered unpaid bills from prior years that must be paid from the current budget and that the volunteer retirement account had not been funded in four years.
Hamilton described operational problems that affect public safety. At a recent call to Hamilton Park Apartments, she said, the building alarm sounded but did not alert the department and firefighters could not enter because no on-site staff were present. "It was the apartment's system that failed," she said, and the department is exploring keyed lock-boxes to allow firefighter access in emergencies.
Chief Hamilton outlined steps the department is taking to address shortages: applying for a $20,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources, coordinating with the Cowlitz County Fire Chief to receive surplus gear, and seeking community fundraising ideas. She recommended an "adopt-a-firefighter" program to help purchase new gear.
Council members and staff acknowledged the challenge. Councilmember Emily Sabo praised Hamilton's outreach to neighboring districts and said she would support efforts to stabilize staffing and equipment. CAO Taylor Chambers and Hamilton said they were working together to identify budget priorities and possible funding sources.
Hamilton provided a cost snapshot for basic firefighter turnout gear: a low-end coat and pants around $5,000, helmets about $400, boots $250 and gloves $100. She noted the department's annual fuel budget is currently $2,000, which strains training and mutual-aid responses. Hamilton stressed that some improvements will require steady budgeting and external funding, not one-time fixes.
The council did not take immediate budget action at the March 24 meeting but asked staff to continue searching for grants and donations; Hamilton said she would provide a prioritized list of the department's equipment needs.
