Fire 12 pauses chief search

Matt Baide | Aug 25, 20220

Mason County Fire District 12 won’t look for a new fire chief until after the State Auditor’s Office completes its audit.

At the Mason County Fire District 12’s commissioner meeting Aug. 16, commissioner John Pais said, “At this point, we’re not going to actively search for a fire chief until the audit is complete because the chief needs to stay on until that is all done.”

The commissioners voted at the April 19 meeting to dismiss fire chief Kelli Walsworth without cause. The district posted an announcement after the vote on its website, stating all volunteers resigned effective immediately and temporarily suspended operations within the district. Walsworth was then brough back as fire chief pro tem at the May 17 commissioners meeting in order to help the district transition to a new fire chief once hired. Walsworth is not being compensated as the fire chief.

Fire District 12 violated the public records act by not responding to a public records request within five business days by the Journal on July 21. The Journal still has not heard from the district regarding the request.

Pais also reported the commissioners had a pre-exit interview Aug. 17 with the Auditor’s Office.

Walsworth reported during the meeting that the roof repairs have been completed after signing a contract with a company in March.

Walsworth said the district has an ambulance now and is waiting for updated stickers and “is ready to respond.” She also said during her report there was a large brush fire on Aug. 11 that was about five acres, and District 12 crews were on scene for almost 28 hours.

The commissioners’ meetings are still conducted through Zoom due to Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 emergency declaration in Jan. 2021, which has since expired.