Valley Fire Assisted On West Plains Blaze

Valley Fire sent 39 firefighters - including six officers - and seven trucks over a four-day period to help battle the West Plains fire that burned nearly 3,000 acres earlier this month, the district said this week.

Fifteen firefighters and the six officers worked throughout the first night of the fire. Others joined the fight over the next three days.

The effort was part of the Spokane Area Fire Response Team, which was created after Firestorm ‘91 so area fire districts and departments would be better equipped to battle large wildfires. Valley Fire officials were impressed by the team’s efficiency.

Among the major improvements was communications, said Dave Lobdell, a Valley Fire assistant chief. Improved communication allowed officers to manage and deploy resources more efficiently, Lobdell said.

“It worked well,” Lobdell said. “There was a world of difference.”

Calling all musicians

Marching to “Louie, Louie,” the All-Valley Reunion Marching Band will make its debut performance at Valleyfest, Sept. 21.

The marching band, which will join the 9 a.m. parade, is open to all present and former East Valley, Central Valley and West Valley junior high and high school students and directors - as well as all other musicians in the Valley.

Dust off your instruments, practice the scales and join the fun, said Laverne Overbeck, who will direct the band.

Music can be picked up starting Sept. 4 at Bowdish Junior High, during school hours. The only rehearsal for the performance will be at Keystone Elementary School, one hour before the Valleyfest parade starts.

For more information, call Overbeck at 922-6880.

Time to set goals

The Business Education Committee of the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce will meet on Sept. 13 to develop goals for the coming year.

The committee will meet in the second-floor conference room of the Chamber’s new building at 8817 E. Mission.

Tom Agnew will lead the meeting, developing a long-range vision and goals.

Positions open

Spokane County Commissioners are accepting applications for positions on two committees.

The Spokane Solid Waste Advisory Committee has one opening to serve a four-year term. For more information about the position contact Steven Wulf at (208) 769-4402.

The Spokane County Community Services Substance Abuse Board also has one opening. The term is three years. Contact Kasey Kramer at 456-5722 for more information.

The application deadline for both positions is Sept. 10.

Anyone interested in applying for either position should submit an application and resume to the county commissioners. Application forms are available in the commissioners’ office, 1116 W. Broadway.

For more information on the application process, call the commissioners’ office at 446-2265.

, DataTimes