The Chehalis City Council approved an interlocal agreement with Vader to provide and receive payment for fire investigation services performed on behalf of the South Lewis County town.
According to the agenda report, the Chehalis Fire Department provides fire investigation services to Lewis County. Since fire service in Vader is provided by Cowlitz County-Lewis County Fire Protection District 20, some confusion has surfaced in relation to fire investigation responsibilities.
In the past, when Chehalis was called to investigate an incident, payment delays arose because of questions about which county was responsible for the call.
The new agreement will eliminate the confusion and ensure the city of Chehalis can continue to provide the investigation services in Vader.
The proposed agreement is similar to the one Chehalis already has with Lewis County. The city of Chehalis would be reimbursed $135 an hour, including travel time. Revenues and expenses will vary based on the amount of incidents in a given year, stated the agenda report.
Councilors approved the agreement unanimously in the consent agenda at Monday night’s meeting.
