Residents of Chelan County Fire District 1 and Douglas County Fire District 2 will be asked to vote on a ballot measure to create a Regional Fire Authority, which would combine Chelan County Fire District 1 and Douglas County Fire District 2.
 
Wenatchee Fire Chief Brian Brett explained that Chelan and Douglas Counties have worked collaboratively for years, but invest in separate capital from different budgets. He said combining the Fire Districts into one Regional Authority could save money on administrators and duplicate infrastructure. The two district’s combined revenues and combined expenses has a wider margin than the districts do separately, Brett noted that the Districts would be able to do more as one entity. 
 
The volunteer firefighter base has decreased significantly over the past 10 years, which means fire stations need to hire more full-time staff. The Regional Fire Authority would hire 6 additional full-time firefighters. Additional staff would allow the department to maintain the level of service we currently enjoy as our community grows. 
 
Regardless of whether the August 2^nd ballot measure is approved, Chief Brett explained that both counties will ask for the same amount of funding separately in a later election. However, if combined, they would be able to provide more service with the same amount of money.