Open Fire Commissioner seat will go to primary

By Nina Culver Current contributor

The retirement of longtime Spokane Valley Fire Commissioner Bill Anderson has opened up a vacant seat that has attracted three candidates who are well known in the community. Those seeking the seat are former Spokane Valley Mayor Diana Wilhite, former firefighter and state representative George Orr and recently retired firefighter and arson dog handler Rick Freier.

Orr, who is also a former school board member, said he decided to run because several of the fire commissioners currently serving have had no firefighting experience. He believes that experience is important. “None of these folks have had much to do with the fire service,” he said. “They don’t go to the fire scenes.”

Orr said there are a few issues he would like to see addressed, including the fact that the nearest railroad spill containment equipment is kept in the TriCities even though trains loaded with oil and other hazardous liquids go through Spokane and Spokane Valley daily. “We need to talk about it,” he said.

Orr said he wants to have open communication between firefighters, commissioners and the public. He believes in visiting fire stations to hear about issues that are important to firefighters. “I want those commissioners to be proud of those employees,” he said.

Freier just recently retired due to health issues, but said he’s not done with being involved in his community. “I’m young,” he said. “I’ve got more to give, I think. I think it would be a nice way to give back to the community that’s given me so much.”

He is well known for visiting middle school classrooms across Spokane Valley to teach kids about fire science. For about five years he was arson dog Mako’s handler and would often visit schools and special events with Mako. “Service is a big driver for me,” he said. “I’ve got the heart of a teacher. That’s why I started the middle school program.”

Freier would like to focus on fire prevention, which he did for several years while he worked for Valley Fire and wants to continue in some form. “I think that’s my number one mission,” he said.

He would also like to see the department acquire a new arson dog if someone in the department is willing to become a dog handler. While he worked with Mako, the dog was a regional asset and the duo were on call 24/7 to respond to fires across the Northwest. It requires a significant time commitment, Freier said. “I would support it if someone wants to step up,” he said.

In addition to her time as a Spokane Valley council member and mayor, Wilhite previously served as a Valley Fire’s civil service commissioner. She said she has the policy making and budgetary experience to serve on the fire commission and doesn’t believe that experience as a firefighter is necessary to serve as a commissioner.

“That’s something I did for nine years on the city council,” she said. “I don’t think being a fireman gives you a leg up on the commission.”

Wilhite said she is also running because she believes the male dominated commission should include a woman’s viewpoint. “I’m running because I wanted to see some diversity,” she said.

Wilhite previously ran Safeguard Business Systems with her husband for many years, but is currently retired. She also serves on the board of directors for Vera Water and Power.