Douglas County Fire District 2

Chelan County Fire District 1 and Douglas County Fire District 2 officially became the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department today.

The two districts have been responding to calls as one entity for the past year and that became permanent after an August vote in the two counties merged the districts.

The merger was approved with almost 60 percent of voters in the two districts in favor.

“Now we can solidify the reduction in administrative personnel and add more firefighters,” Chief Brian Brett said in a press release Friday. “Our volunteers can now staff any fire station in the valley, and we will no longer compete for volunteer firefighters.”

Brett has served as fire chief for both districts for more than a year.

"We are thankful for the wonderful history and tradition both our fire districts have enjoyed for decades," Brett said. "We are standing on the shoulders of all the members that have served before us. Together, we can accomplish even more." 

The administrative office for the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department will be at the fire station at 731 N. Wenatchee Ave. in Wenatchee.

The press release also noted these changes:

“Our new website is currently under construction and will direct the public to the existing district websites until completed. The Fire Marshal Division, including the Wildland Liaison and volunteer Public Information Officer, Kay McKellar, will be located at 377 Eastmont Avenue. Two volunteer Lieutenants have been promoted: Jeremie Clark has been promoted to Division Chief, succeeding Chief Ron Roy, with the primary responsibilities of recruitment and retention. Kyle Dennis has been promoted to Chief of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting with the primary responsibilities of coordinating aircraft firefighting operations.”