Council takes no action on PRFD

PRIEST RIVER — City Council members held off making any decisions Monday over the future of its troubled fire department.

The council opted against taking any action and the department remains "under suspension," said Priest River Mayor Bill Mullaley.

"It's up to the council on what to do next," Mullaley said. "There was no real discussion."

The council voted in late July to close the department down, citing ongoing frustrations about "a whole myriad of things" from maintenance of equipment to firefighter training to an upcoming review of the department's fire rating.

The review, which was completed in mid-August, found mostly minor violations and procedural problems. While problems were found, the report found they are fixable.

Compounding problems was a rape charge filed against a volunteer firefighter. While city officials said questions about the department and the rape allegations aren't connected, the combination was enough to prompt an independent review of the department, its problems and possible solutions.

Byron W. Morgan, 29, of Priest River was arrested in late July on charges he raped a 16-year-old female junior firefighter volunteer after giving her a ride home from a meeting. Morgan pleaded innocent to the charges earlier this month and is free on $50,000 bond.

However, by that time, the council was growing increasingly frustrated over continued problems at the department.

Council members decided the best thing to do was to close the department and seek interim fire protection from nearby West Pend Oreille Fire District.

At this point, there are three options facing the city — try and reopen the department, disband the department and seek a long-term contract with the West Pend Oreille Fire Department, or try to annex into the fire district.

Mullaley, a 19-year volunteer with the department, said he hopes the council will reach a decision at its next meeting, slated for early next month.

"I think we're all hoping they make a decision."