Amid the worst fire season in state history, the most trying challenge facing Clark County Fire & Rescue appears to be internal.
After contracting with the agency for nearly a quarter-century, the city of Battle Ground opted to end its partnership with the department this year in favor of working with Fire District 3 instead. Altogether, Clark County Fire & Rescue covers more than 160 square miles of north Clark County, including the cities of La Center, Ridgefield, Woodland and a number of unincorporated areas.
But losing the contract for the largest city in that service area means Clark County Fire & Rescue will be forced into layoffs as it prepares to move out of Battle Ground’s only fire station by the end of the year. Among those losing their jobs are 11 firefighters and several administrators, including division chief and lead trainer Mike Ciraulo, a former mayor of Battle Ground.
The first to be let go was Chief Dennis Mason, who on Monday came to work for the last time after nearly four decades with the department. Mason joined the department — long ago known as Clark County Fire District 11 — in 1977 as a volunteer.
This summer, the agency’s board of commissioners voted 3-2 to end Mason’s tenure by Sept. 1 after losing the Battle Ground contract. The decision wasn’t personal, though, and it had nothing to do with Mason’s performance on the job, said Jerry Kolke, the chair of the board.
“Great guy, great employee, and I enjoyed working with him. I think everyone can say that,” Kolke said. “It just seemed an appropriate time, with everything going on, that we take a fresher direction.”
Mason did not respond to The Columbian’s request for comment. Last month, the board brought former Vancouver firefighter and Redmond, Ore., fire chief Ron Oliver out of retirement to lead Clark County Fire & Rescue through the process of finding a new chief.
The city of Battle Ground’s contract with the department was worth nearly $2 million, city spokeswoman Bonnie Gilberti said. It came up for renewal every six years, she said.
This time, Fire District 3 made a more attractive pitch, offering more services, Gilberti said. The district’s board has already approved a proposal for its new contract with the city, and it will go to the Battle Ground City Council for final approval on Tuesday.
Until then, the fate of the 11 firefighters awaiting layoffs will remain uncertain. Battalion Chief Tim Dawdy, the agency’s spokesman, said he hopes Fire District 3 will be able to hire all of them in the coming weeks.
“We believe that District 3 will do the right thing and hire as many of those people as possible,” Dawdy said. “They’re a well-trained and experienced workforce.”
Assistant Chief Scott Sorenson with Fire District 3 said his department is more than open to hiring those firefighters.
“We understand the situation with the employees losing their positions,” Sorenson said. “The lateral hires that we’re accepting are only from Clark County Fire & Rescue.”
In the meantime, the two departments are focused on creating a smooth transition. The good news for the public, Dawdy said, is that anyone living in the area shouldn’t see any changes in the quality of service.
“We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure there’s a continuity of service,” Dawdy said. “We’re committed to making sure that there’s no noticeable change.”
