The sole contested race for a fire district commission seat on the Nov. 5 general election ballot falls in Clark County Fire District 6, which provides fire and emergency medical services to Hazel Dell, Felida and Salmon Creek.
Darren LaFavor, a volunteer firefighter with the district and president of the district’s Volunteer Firefighters Association, and Chris Pfeifer, a lieutenant with Tualatin Valley, Ore., Fire & Rescue and former firefighter with Clark County Fire & Rescue, are running for the Position 2 seat. The winner will serve a six-year term on the three-person commission.
Both candidates were asked why they were running and what ideas they would pursue to ensure that the district best meets the needs of its residents.
Pfeifer said he is running because he began his firefighting career in Clark County and wants to give back.
“My career in the fire service has positioned me with a unique opportunity to be a leader,” Pfeifer wrote in an email. “A fire commissioner is tasked with balancing a budget, creating and achieving goals for the department and approving the overall direction and operational objectives. The fact that I have been able to exercise these abilities on a daily basis throughout my career brings a unique perspective to this position.”
Pfeifer pointed to fiscal responsibility and addressing county growth as his top priorities.
Referencing a study last year, he said the fire district needs a station east of Interstate 5 in the event of a natural disaster and in anticipation of development on Northeast 179th Street. Pfeifer also said the district needs to address a rapidly rising call volume, suggesting staff restructuring as one of many potential options.
“Throughout my campaign, I have continued to maintain the same important pillars that will enable the district to best meet the needs of it residents,” Pfeifer said.
He has been endorsed by Local 1805 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, which represents District 6 employees.
LaFavor could not be reached for comment. In a statement submitted to the voters’ pamphlet, LaFavor said resident safety was his top priority and that responsible use of taxpayer dollars is “vital to fulfilling that mission and is of the utmost importance to me.”
“As our population and needs change as a community, I will balance the needs of the department with the ever-increasing population,” LaFavor wrote. “This will keep the fire department in step with the safety needs of our growing community.”
Other districts
The Fire District 3 Board of Commissioners has three seats available, each with an incumbent seeking re-election. Scott Anders, Position 2, and Rick Steele, Position 3, were appointed last year, while Jon Couture in Position 1 is nearing the end of his current term. That district serves Hockinson, Brush Prairie and Battle Ground.
Larry Bartel, an incumbent, is running for Position 1 on the Clark County Fire & Rescue Board of Commissioners. Another incumbent, David Town, is seeking re-election to Position 4. Ridgefield, La Center and Woodland are protected by that fire district.
The East County Fire and Rescue Board of Commissioners has two incumbents seeking re-election: Joshua Seeds in Position 1 and Michael Taggart in Position 2.
Gary Hagedorn, Fire District 10, Erv Beard, Fire District 13, and Roy Rhine, Fire District 5, are also running unopposed.
