Fire District 12 hears about state Public Record Act

Matt Baide | Mar 24, 20220

Mason County Fire District 12 commissioners received a lesson about the state Public Records Act at their March 15 meeting.

State Assistant Attorney General Morgan Damerow was on the agenda to talk about the Public Records Act. Damerow spoke for about 30 minutes of the meeting, addressing why people should care about transparency laws, what agencies must do under the PRA and what a PRA request looks like.

The commissioners answered more community questions during the meeting. Commissioner John Pais answered a question about personal use of command vehicles by the chief. He said every fire chief in the district is on call all the time and has access to a command vehicle within the county.

“We don’t consider it a problem in town for department business to

carry out other errands while we’re there because of the distance involved,” Pais said during the meeting. “Many times you’ll see department vehicles at Walmart or Fred Meyer just because they’re consolidating errands.”

He also answered a question about filling swimming pools. In the past three years, department volunteers have filled five swimming pools.

“We don’t consider getting money for that because we look at it as public relations for the support of the fire department,” Pais said. “Thank you for all the support people have given to us.”

Commissioner Albert Wilder also said he tells people that if the department fills their swimming pool, they tell people that if there is a fire and they need water, they’re going to suck the water out of the pool. Most people have been receptive to that.

The meeting had an executive session about receiving and evaluating complaints or charges brought against a public officer or employee, although no details were released about what was discussed.

MCFD 12 provided an update about the audit, stating they haven’t heard from the state Auditor’s Office about an update. The Journal contacted the Auditor’s office and was told by spokesperson Adam Wilson that the office is “working on completing the audit of the fire district but can’t say at this point when it will be finished.”

Chief Kelli Walsworth said they reached out to the Auditor’s Office, and they said they will get a hold of the department in April to set up a meeting.

Walsworth said they received three bids for roof repairs, but have not selected a company yet.

The fire department responded to 17 calls in February.

The next commissioners meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 19.