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Letter: BENTON DISTRICT 4 CALL VOLUME HIGHER (Tri-city Herald 2/11/21)

We wanted to report back to our community about 2020 emergency call volumes for Benton County Fire District No. 4. In 2020, personnel responded to 1,686 calls, almost 5% higher than 2019. Emergency medical service (EMS) accounted for 67% of all calls. Benton 4 serves 20,000 people over 52 square miles, including the city of West Richland and its immediate unincorporated areas. We are independent of the city and county, and receive funding from a fire levy and an EMS levy paid through property taxes. In 2020, voters approved a fire levy lid lift to hire three full-time firefighters to respond to higher call volumes. These positions have been filled, and we’re seeing faster response times as a result. Voters also approved a bond in 2018 to build and equip a new fire station. That project is near completion, and we look forward to welcoming our community to the facility when it’s safe to do so. We appreciate the support of our community, and thank you for the opportunity to serve you and
Recent posts

Chief Bill Whealan Retires from Benton County Fire District 4

February 8, 2021 marks the official retirement of Fire Chief Bill Whealan from Benton County Fire District 4. Chief Whealan’s fire service career spans almost four decades, the last nine years of which he served as Fire Chief for the agency that serves 20,000 people in the city of West Richland and its immediate unincorporated areas. Chief Whealan moved to Benton County in 2011 from Hemet, Calif. where he served as its Interim Fire Chief. In total, Chief Whealan has 25 years of his career in chief officer level positions in Nev., Calif., and Wash. He says that one of his greatest accomplishments during this time is not having any firefighter deaths or serious injuries under his watch. “That’s what this is about. Saving lives and property and bringing your people through each call safely,” said Chief Whealan. “There’s no greater accomplishment than that.” While at Benton 4, Chief Whealan increased the standards of medical evaluations for emergency personnel that were credited with s

Another Clean Audit for Benton County Fire District 4

Benton County Fire District 4 passed its most recent financial and accountability audit by the Washington State Auditor’s Office. The Fire District is audited every three years to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements. “We welcome this scrutiny because it’s important our community knows that we are good stewards of their tax dollars,” said Fire Chief Paul Carlyle. Voters in the Fire District approved a bond in 2018 to build and equip a new fire station. That project is nearing completion, and the agency looks forward to welcoming community members to the new facility when it is safe to do so. Last fall, voters approved a fire levy lid lift to fund three additional full-time firefighters to respond to higher call volumes. Those positions have been filled as of February 1, 2021.  Benton County Fire District 4 has a long history of clean audits. The agency operates under a balanced budget and maintains adequate reserves. These strong financial pra

Benton County Fire District 4 to Hold Budget Meetings - Public Invited to Participate

Benton County Fire District 4 is starting its annual budget process for 2021. Members of the public are invited to participate at two upcoming meetings with the Board of Fire Commissioners: ·         Thursday, October 22 at 6 p.m. – This is a budget workshop where funding issues are discussed. ·         Thursday, November 5 at 6 p.m. – This is a public hearing and the Board is expected to take action on the budget for 2021. Due to the current pandemic, all meetings are held by conference call. To participate in the meetings, call 571-748-4021 and enter the pass code 977-1116. The fire district would like to share information as to how it develops its annual budget. First, it determines the revenue it will receive based on assessed property values combined with its levies for fire and emergency medical service. Then, an executive team works with emergency personnel to develop a list of priorities based on call volumes, personnel, apparatus and equipment needs. These priorities

New Station and Apparatus for Benton County Fire District 4

Voters approved bond to fund improvements to service in 2018 Benton County Fire District 4 will have its first new station in over tw enty years soon.  Station 430 at 8031 Keene Rd, West Richland is under construction and expected to be in service by early 2021.   Station 430 on Keene Road during construction (September 2020) Two Type 1 fire engines have also been ordered and are being manufactured. The engines are expected to be in operation by early 2021, as well.   Type I fire engine being built by Hughes Fire Equipment and Pierce In late 2018, voters in Benton County Fire District 4 approved a bond to build and equip the station as well as purchase replacement emergency apparatus. The new station will improve emergency response times district-wide, and provide additional units to respond during back-to-back calls. The two new fire engines will be placed into service throughout the fire district and help to equip Station 430. “We’re thankful for our community’s support

Benton County Fire District 4 Selects New Fire Chief

  Chief Carlyle Has 21 Years with the Agency Benton County Fire District 4 has appointed Deputy Chief Paul Carlyle as its next fire chief. The appointment will take effect on October 1. Carlyle will replace Chief Bill Whealan who served residents and businesses in West Richland for nine years. “We appreciate Chief Whealan’s service to our community, and welcome Chief Carlyle to the position,” said Commissioner Gregg Couch, who chairs the Board of Fire Commissioners. “Chief Carlyle knows the organization and will ensure a seamless transition.” Chief Carlyle was appointed deputy chief in June. He started his career with Benton County Fire District 4 as a volunteer firefighter in 1999 and was hired full-time in 2006. Since that time, he was promoted to the positions of lieutenant (2007), and captain and emergency medical services officer (2013). Chief Carlyle attended Columbia Basin College for Fire Science and Emergency Medical Technician. He’s also a graduate of the National Fir

Benton County Fire District 4 Plans Public Meetings for Lid Lift

Deputy Chief Carlyle Welcomes Invitations to Speak to Community Groups Benton County Fire District 4 is hosting two public meetings to answer questions about its proposed Fire Levy lid lift. Ballots for the August 4 Primary Election will be mailed on July 17. Meetings are planned for July 16 and July 23 at 6:00 p.m. Participants can call 571-748-4021 and enter the pass code 977-1116. Deputy Chief Paul Carlyle will provide an update about the ballot measure. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions after his brief presentation. Deputy Chief Carlyle also welcomes opportunities to present about the lid lift to community service organizations and home owner association groups. Interested parties can contact him at (509) 967-2945 or pcarlyle@bcfd4.org to schedule a presentation. “COVID-19 has limited our ability to see community members other than on emergency calls. We miss that personal connection,” said Deputy Chief Carlyle. “I’m learning a lot about vir