SEQUIM — Three candidates for commissioner of Clallam County Fire District No. 3 discussed adding paramedics, a fireworks ban and the district’s ability to respond to fires during the drought.
About 60 audience members attended the Clallam County commissioner forum hosted Sunday afternoon by the League of Women Voters at the Shipley Center, 921 E. Hammond St.
Incumbent G. Michael Gawley and challengers Sean Ryan and Alan W. Slind are competing for the job in the Aug. 4 primary. The top two finishers will move on to the November general election.
Each of the candidates agreed that Sequim has a growing retired population, and rapidly increasing call volumes for the fire district.
The district responded to 6,000 calls last year.
Currently there are 21 paramedics on the staff, working on three shifts.
Gawley, who has been a volunteer in the district since 2005, said that there is not currently a shortage, but that more paramedics will eventually be needed.
The district must “live within our means, meet payroll and equipment and look to the future. This is a challenge all around,” he said.
Ryan, an 8-year volunteer in the district, said he wants to add between nine and 11 new paramedics as the city grows, adding two to four each shift.
“We could pay for it by cutting stuff we want but don’t need,” he said.
Slind, a retired bank financial officer, said two or three more paramedics are needed, but that they should be added without increasing the district’s expenditures.
“We need to go out and serve the community and still be able to control our expenses,” he said.
All three candidates also supported some kind of fireworks ban in Sequim, and assured audience members that despite the current drought and water restrictions, the district would be able to fight fires using tanker engines that bring their own water.
“If your house in on fire, we will come put it out, Gawley said.
Ryan said the district may eventually need to consider adding a couple of additional tankers to the district’s fleet of firefighting equipment.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
