Whitman County Fire District #11

Whitman County Fire District #11 Fire and EMS services for the communities of Albion, Colfax, Diamond, and Steptoe Washington

05/24/2026

The next meeting of the Fire District will be on Thursday, June 11, at the Whitman County Library in Colfax.

Approved April minutes:

Whitman County Fire District #11
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting
April 30, 2026 Colfax, WA at Library

Present: Roger Hall, Terry Cochran, Michele Beckmann, Clark Miller, and Shirley Cornelius. Stations represented at the meeting were Spencer Scholz, Rob Schindler, and Eric Bidle.

Commissioner Clark Miller called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.

Modifications/Additions to the Agenda: No modifications or additions to the Agenda

Approval of Prior Month Minutes: Minutes of the March regular meeting were approved by a vote of the board with no modifications.

Reports:

The March financial statements were reviewed and approved by the board.

Colfax Fire Report – Rob Shindler presented the Colfax report. LED headlights were replaced on Truck 1103. Joint trainings have been held with other departments on the third Tuesday of the month. Milt Kletke, long time member of the department, died and his funeral is on 5/15.

Albion Fire Report - Has been slow. Smaller trainings because most of the members have been farming. Several members would like to apply for some small grants and will get in touch with the Secretary for any needed information.

Steptoe Fire Report – Transmission on Truck 1133 has been fixed. Picked up lights for 1103 but Colfax already had the truck fixed so the lights were used to fix one of Steptoe’s trucks. The department did not receive the operations grant.

Diamond Fire Report – Fire Comm radios were ordered. New blood pressure unit was received. The department has another new member. District 12 will have a live fire training the last weekend in May. New helmets for Rob and Spencer were ordered.

Continuing Business:
Two of the commissioners met with the district’s attorney over a possible new interlocal agreement with the town of Albion. The town requested a detailed listing of expenses for the town even though that was given to the town council a year ago. The attorney will draft a new letter including the detailed listing of expense.

The 2022-24 audit was completed on March 20 and the district passed with no findings.

New Business:

Executive Session:

Approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll

Accounts payable and payroll for April were approved.

Public Comment There was no public comment

Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 PM.

Next Meeting The next regular meeting will be Thursday, May 21, at the Albion Station at 7:00 PM.

05/05/2026

The March minutes were approved by the board at the April 30 minute. The next public meeting will be on May 21 at the Albion Fire Station.

Whitman County Fire District #11
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting
March 12, 2026 Colfax, WA at Library

Present: Roger Hall, Terry Cochran, Michele Beckmann, Mike Whitman, and Shirley Cornelius. Stations represented at the meeting were Spencer Scholz, Rob Schindler, and Craig Corbeill.

Commissioner Mike Whitman called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM.

Modifications/Additions to the Agenda: No modifications or additions to the Agenda

Approval of Prior Month Minutes: Minutes of the February regular meeting were approved by a vote of the board with no modifications.

Reports:

The February financial statements were reviewed and approved by the board.

Colfax Fire Report – Pretty quiet in February. Truck 1101 was taken out once in the last month and was smoking quite a bit on the way out. It was suggested that the truck be taken out again to see if the problem continues. It just may need to be run more.

Albion Fire Report - Has been slow. The air compressor is having issues and thinking about replacing it with one from Harbor Freight.

Steptoe Fire Report – Plumbing issue in men’s bathroom is not fixed. Truck 1131 also has been having plumbing issues and Spencer is working on fixing them. The old turnouts were thrown out as Spencer could not find a place to donate them. Those responding to EMT calls need to have Hepatitis B and TB tests completed. The district will pay for any shots needed.

Diamond Fire Report – Pete Appel is finishing up his EMR class. Rob has a place where he can buy wildland boots for $270 versus the $450 regular price. Rob and Spencer are applying for a $20,000 DNR PPE grant that requires no matching that would pay for the boots.

Continuing Business:
The Town of Albion responded with a letter that will be taken to the district’s attorney. The commissioners will meet with the attorney before the next meeting.

Resolutions 3 and 4 were presented to the board for approval. The board approved by a majority vote a new fuel and procurement policy.

New Business:

Executive Session:

Approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll

Accounts payable and payroll for March were approved.

Public Comment There was no public comment

Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.

Next Meeting The next regular meeting will be Thursday, April 30, at the Colfax Library at 7:00 PM.

03/15/2026

Next public meeting is on April 30, 2026 at the Colfax Library at 7:00 PM. Approved February minutes are below:

Whitman County Fire District #11
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting
February 12, 2026 Colfax, WA at Library

Present: Roger Hall, Terry Cochran, Michele Beckmann, Mike Whitman, and Shirley Cornelius. Stations represented at the meeting were Spencer Scholz, Rob Schindler, Eric Bidle, and Craig Corbeill.

Commissioner Mike Whitman called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.

Modifications/Additions to the Agenda: Discussion of fuel policy and procurement policy.

Approval of Prior Month Minutes: Minutes of the January regular meeting were approved by a vote of the board with one modification.

Reports:

The January financial statements were reviewed and approved by the board.

Colfax Fire Report- Responded to several car accidents in the last month.

Albion Fire Report - Empire Disposal has stopped picking up garbage. Will follow through with Empire after an interlocal agreement is reached with the Town of Albion.

Steptoe Fire Report – There has been excessive water runoff from one of the urinals in the station. Spencer is working to get the damage fixed. Old turnouts from 2014 and older will be thrown out unless a place can be found to donate the turnouts to.

Diamond Fire Report – Truck 1124 is now fixed. A new member joins the department next month. A new EMR training class begins soon.

Continuing Business:
The district is moving forward with a letter to the town of Albion setting forth a date of July 1 to establish a new interlocal agreement or discontinue fire services.
New Business:

Retirement reports are now due. Most of Colfax is reported under the city. Spencer and Rob have turned in their reports.

In the past month, the district has received a $5,000 matching grant from DNR (Phase 3) to purchase Radios and a $6,000 matching grant from DNR (Phase 2) for headsets.

EMR class begins Sunday 2/15. Peter Appel from Diamond will be attending.

The secretary proposed a new fuel and procurement policy. The commissioners will vote on the proposal at the next board meeting.

Executive Session:

Approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll

Accounts payable and payroll for February were approved.

Public Comment There was no public comment

Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 PM.

Next Meeting The next regular meeting will be Thursday, March 12, at the Colfax Library at 7:00 PM.

03/03/2026

Next meeting is on March 12 at 7:00 PM at the Colfax Library. Attached are the approved January board minutes:

Whitman County Fire District #11
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting
January 8, 2026 Colfax, WA at Library

Present: Roger Hall, Clark Miller, Michele Beckmann, Mike Whitman, and Shirley Cornelius. Stations represented at the meeting were Spencer Scholz, Rob Schindler, and Craig Corbeill.

Commissioner Clark Miller called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.

Modifications/Additions to the Agenda:

Approval of Prior Month Minutes: Minutes of the December regular meeting were approved by a vote of the board.

Reports:

The December financial statements were reviewed and approved by the board.

Colfax Fire Report-Station has been quiet giving the chief time to put together annual statistics and work on ambulance rates for VFI.

Albion Fire Report - Albion needs two sets of turnouts and some odds and ends of equipment. Since the chief was not at the meeting, there is no list of what is actually needed.

Steptoe Fire Report – New heaters are working well. Truck 1135 was not working on a cold start so the heat was turned up in the station and seems to be starting now. The district did not receive a DNR engine grant this year. There were 90 applications for 11 trucks but 4 departments in Whitman County received the grants.

Diamond Fire Report – Truck 1124 goes in to Jess Ford on Tuesday

Continuing Business:
The lifepack for Diamond is out of service date so the commissioners approved by a majority vote the purchase of a new one.

The district is having continuing issues with the Town of Albion with establishing an interlocal agreement since the old one was broken in May 2024 with a nonresponse from the town from a letter written by our attorney. The district has not received copies of utility invoices for 2025 from the town and can not move forward with paying the bills. Also, the town has not wanted to participate in discussions with paying a fee to the district for providing fire services. The board will work on a letter to the town setting a date to complete a new interlocal agreement.

New Business:

Executive Session:

Approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll

Accounts payable and payroll for January were approved.

Public Comment There was no public comment

Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 PM.

Next Meeting The next regular meeting will be Thursday, February 12, at the Colfax Library at 7:00 PM.

02/02/2026

Whitman County Fire District #11
Meeting Agenda, February 12, 2026, Whitman County Library, Colfax, 7:00 PM

Call to Order

Modifications/Additions to the Agenda

Approval of Prior Month Minutes

Reports:

Treasurer’s Report

Colfax Fire Report

Albion Fire Report

Diamond Fire Report:

Steptoe Fire Report

Continuing Business:

Town of Albion-Discontinuation of Interlocal Agreement

New Business:

Retirement Report
Fire Comm Radios (Phase 3 grant)
EMR Grant

Approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll

Public Comment:

Adjourn:

Next Meeting:
The next regular meeting will be Thursday, March 12, 7:00 PM

02/02/2026

Approved December board meeting minutes:

Whitman County Fire District #11
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting
December 11, 2025 Colfax, WA at Library

Present: Roger Hall, Clark Miller, Mike Whitman by phone, and Shirley Cornelius. Stations represented at the meeting were Spencer Scholz, Eric Bidle, Rob Schindler, and David Buckley.

Commissioner Clark Miller called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Modifications/Additions to the Agenda:

Approval of Prior Month Minutes: Minutes of the November regular meeting were approved by a vote of the board.

Reports:

The November financial statements were reviewed and approved by the board.

Station reports will be reviewed in January

Continuing Business:
A report for the final costs of the Station report was distributed at the meeting.

New Business:

Diamond lifepacks discussion postponed until January.

Executive Session:

Approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll

Accounts payable and payroll for December were approved.

Public Comment There was no public comment

Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM.

Next Meeting The next regular meeting will be Thursday, January, at the Colfax Library at 7:00 PM.

12/30/2025

Approved minutes from November Meeting:

Whitman County Fire District #11
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting
November 13, 2025 Colfax, WA at Library

Present: Roger Hall, Michele Beckmann, Clark Miller, Mike Whitman, and Shirley Cornelius. Stations represented at the meeting were Spencer Scholz, Rob Schindler, and David Buckley.

Commissioner Clark Miller called the meeting to order at 6:57 PM.

Modifications/Additions to the Agenda:

Approval of Prior Month Minutes: Minutes of the October regular meeting were approved by a vote of the board.

Reports:

The October financial statements were reviewed and approved by the board.

Colfax – The Christmas party will be at the Colfax Community Church on 12/7 at 6:00 PM

Albion: Trucks are being winterized and serviced.
Diamond – The old fire building has nails coming out of galvanized steel and will need to be fixed.

Steptoe – Truck 1133 is having its transmission replaced. Tork converter of the transmission has failed. Total bill with shipping and sales tax will be between $10,000 and $11,000.
Continuing Business:
The Steptoe Station is finished and all the final bills have been paid. A report will be given at the next meeting.

The stations have provided their volunteer time reports and checks up to $30,000 will be distributed by the next board meeting.
The 2026 budget was approved by a vote of the board, Resolution 16-2025.

New Business:

The 2026 levy certification was approved by a vote of the board with Resolution 15-2025.

Executive Session:

Approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll

Accounts payable and payroll for November were approved.

Public Comment There was no public comment

Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM.

Next Meeting The next regular meeting will be Thursday, December 11, at the Colfax Library at 7:00 PM.

11/18/2025

Next Fire District Meeting is Thursday, December 11 at the Whitman County Library in Colfax at 7:00 PM. Below are the approved October minutes:

Whitman County Fire District #11
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting
October 9, 2025 Albion, WA at Fire Station

Present: Roger Hall, Terry Cochran, Michele Beckmann, Clark Miller, Mike Whitman, and Shirley Cornelius. Stations represented at the meeting were Spencer Scholz, Rob Schindler, Eric Bidle, and Craig Corbeill.

Commissioner Clark Miller called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Modifications/Additions to the Agenda:

Approval of Prior Month Minutes: Minutes of the September regular meeting were approved by a vote of the board.

Reports:

The September financial statements were reviewed and approved by the board.

Colfax – Have been cross training with Diamond. The rescue truck was taken to Jones for repair. December 7 will be the annual Christmas party.

Albion: 83 calls so far this year. The new gas meter has been helpful in several calls this year. One new volunteer. Trucks will need to be serviced this winter.
Diamond – Nothing to report.

Steptoe – Truck 1132 is working better. Ordered one pair of turnouts but still need to order Structure helmets.
Continuing Business:
The Steptoe Station is almost finished. The shipping container is gone and landscaping is done. The electrical system has been completed and passed inspection. Final payments should be made in October.

New Business:

Volunteer reimbursement for 2025 was approved by a vote of the board to reimburse up to $30,000 total. Stations will have hours for Nov. 1, 2024 to October 31, 2025 by the November meeting for payout in December.

A preliminary budget for 2026 was presented to the board for discussion. The Secretary will provide a final copy at the November meeting.

Executive Session:

Approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll

Accounts payable and payroll for October were approved.

Public Comment There was no public comment

Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM.

Next Meeting The next regular meeting will be Thursday, December 11, at the Colfax Library at 7:00 PM.

10/27/2025

November agenda:

Whitman County Fire District #11
Meeting Agenda, November 13, 2025, Whitman County Library, Colfax, 7:00 PM

Call to Order

Modifications/Additions to the Agenda

Approval of Prior Month Minutes

Reports:

Treasurer’s Report

Colfax Fire Report

Albion Fire Report

Diamond Fire Report:

Steptoe Fire Report

Continuing Business:

Steptoe Station, recap
Volunteer Hours
2026 Budget

New Business:

Levy Certification

Approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll

Public Comment:

Adjourn:

Next Meeting:
The next regular meeting will be Thursday, December 11, 7:00 PM

10/27/2025

September approved minutes:

Whitman County Fire District #11
Board of Fire Commissioners Meeting
September 11, 2025 Steptoe, WA at Fire Station

Present: Roger Hall, Terry Cochran, Michele Beckmann, Clark Miller, Mike Whitman, and Shirley Cornelius. Stations represented at the meeting were Spencer Scholz, Rob Schindler, and Craig Corbeill.

Commissioner Clark Miller called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.

Modifications/Additions to the Agenda:

Approval of Prior Month Minutes: Minutes of the August regular meeting were approved by a vote of the board.

Reports:

The August financial statements were reviewed and approved by the board.

Colfax – Had a major car accident with multiple victims. Response from departments was good. A new ambulance has been put into service. Had an electrical switch problem on the tender that seems to be fixed now.

Albion: Major fire on Hamilton Hill on Saturday, 9/6. Fire cleared on Sunday about 2:00 PM. Two structures were saved. There have been a few small flareups in the black area that have taken a couple of hours cleanup.
Diamond – Need to order two sets of turnouts. One new volunteer.

Steptoe – Truck 1132 still is having a few electrical issues but nothing major. The rear gaskets failed on Truck 1131. Seals were changed at JTI.
Continuing Business:
Steptoe Building – The commissioners approved by a vote of the board the purchase of pallets for $2,700 to store fire fighting equipment in the new building. After that, furnaces and the propane tank will be installed. A surplus container at the site was sold for $1,200.

New Business:

The Colfax station will provide the secretary with their document that they provide to owners of buildings that may be burned down for training purposes. At this time the district does not have a written document on file.

Executive Session:

Approval of Accounts Payable and Payroll

Accounts payable and payroll for September were approved.

Public Comment There was no public comment

Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 PM.

Next Meeting The next regular meeting will be Thursday, October 9, at the Albion Station at 7:00 PM.

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Colfax, WA

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