Fire chief highlights new brush engine, improved response times and urges high-risk wildfire designation

Chief Black of East Jefferson Fire opened his report by thanking the council and introducing the department's first brand-new brush engine, saying it "will increase our wildfire capabilities and, more importantly, the safety of the firefighters" when deployed regionally or nationally. He told the meeting the department posted an annual report online (ejfr.org) and highlighted an 11% improvement in response times last year, which he attributed to dispatch upgrades and better staffing after a department merger.

Chief Black gave regional and national context for the request he presented to the board: "so far this year, we've had almost 35,000 wildfires, which is well above the 10 year average of 27,000," and he described a warming forecast and elevated fuel conditions locally. He asked the county commissioners to support his recommendation to elevate the area to a high-wildfire-risk setting to guide restrictions and public messaging. During follow-up questions, staff and board members discussed how long a high-risk designation typically remains in effect and described monthly coordination among fire chiefs and with the county fire marshal.