Fire Stations May Get Outside Phones
Valley Fire officials are considering installing emergency phones outside each fire station after a friend of a recent shooting victim was unable to roust sleeping firefighters.
The phones, which cost about $300 each, would be programmed to call fire dispatchers at the push of a button. Users would talk to dispatchers through a speaker.
The 19-year-old victim was shot in the neck about 2:30 a.m. on June 9 while the car he was riding passed by the Denny’s restaurant near Sprague and Fancher.
The driver of the car headed to Valley Fire Station No. 6 on Sprague near Interstate 90, and pounded on the door. But firefighters, who sleep behind the station’s truck bay, did not wake up.
“The way they’re situated there, you just can’t hear it,” said Larry Herberholtz, Valley Fire paramedic chief.
People would have to pound on the back door to have a chance at waking firefighters in the middle of the night.
Stations No. 1 and 3 pose similar problems, which Herberholtz believes the emergency phones would solve.
The phones also would allow people to summon help when firefighters are on other calls, Fire Commissioner Tom Gregory said.
Lights and a large sign also would be installed over the phones to attract attention.
In other fire district news, Valley Fire commissioners signed a contract to join Spokane’s city fire department, Fire District 8 and Fire District 9 in operating a combined dispatch center.
YMCA summer programs begin
The Valley YMCA’s summer programs for kids are rolling. The Valley Y is offering three programs for children ages 6 to 14.
The staff-camper ratio is no more than one to 10. Fees vary, starting at $11.50 a day for YMCA members.
The Y’s Club is set up for 6- and 7-year-olds, 8- and 9-year-olds and 10- and 11-year-olds. They take a field trip once a week, swim two or three days a week, have arts and crafts and other activities built around a theme each week.
Summer Fever, for ages 12 through 14, is based at North Pines Junior High. The program includes one major field trip each week.
Adventure Day Camp includes 8- through 12-year-olds. They will leave Valley Mission Park every day on field trips, including one overnight a week, horseback riding once a week, orienteering, hiking and trips to area lakes.
To register, stop in at the YMCA office in Tidyman’s at Sprague and McDonald. For more information call 924-1474.
, DataTimes