South Whidbey Fire/EMS will present its 2016 draft budget for review at the fire district’s board of commissioners meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday Oct. 8.
The Bayview Fire Station will be discussed as part of the review of the budget, as well as the potential hiring of new part-time firefighters.
Deputy Chief Mike Cotton said the reasoning for possibly adding new part-time employees is to “enhance our day-time response during the week.” The district is currently a volunteer force, with a handful of full-time administrative firefighters serving as chief, assistant chief and deputy chiefs.
The meeting will also include an update on the district’s fireboat, which got a $42,000 replacement starboard engine last week, and the hiring process for a new deputy chief to replace Assistant Chief Paul Busch, who will retire at the end of the calendar year.