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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ex-commissioner wants seat in Fire 5

Jacob Jones Correspondent

A discontented volunteer firefighter is running against an appointed fire commissioner in a rural district northwest of Airway Heights.

Firefighter Marvin Davis is challenging Fire Commissioner Sheri Rhoads for the Position 3 seat in Spokane County Fire District 5.

Davis, who works in the construction business, said he previously served as fire commissioner for the district from 1993 to 1999. He has also volunteered as a firefighter for almost 20 years.

He said administrative, personnel and spending issues at the small, volunteer district should be opened up to area residents.

“Our commissioner meetings are so the community knows what’s going on,” Davis said. “It needs to be run so the community has a voice in it.”

Recent fire commissioner decisions have spent monetary surpluses, fired experienced volunteers and conducted closed meetings, he said. Davis’ wife, an emergency medical technician for the district, also was dismissed early last year.

“There’s quite a history,” he said.

Rhoads, who was appointed to a vacancy in January 2006, said the district has flourished in recent years.

The number of volunteers has doubled to 24, and two-thirds of those firefighters also have EMT training, she said. The district should continue to pursue a high standard of training and service.

“We’ve offered and encouraged our volunteers to get training,” Rhoads said. “When the training is there, we try to give it to them.”

Now retired, Rhoads said she has worked with several volunteer organizations, including the county’s Sheriff Community Oriented Policing Effort. Those experiences have taught her how to work with the community.

“If there’s problems, the only way to fix it is to get involved,” Rhoads said. “Helping the people in the community is what this is about.”

It is not to get rich, she said. District 5 fire commissioners receive $50 for each monthly meeting during their six-year terms.