Mayor: DeBriae continues as chief

Cathlamet's new ordinance governing management of the Cathlamet Fire Department took effect last week, and on Wednesday, Mayor George Wehrfritz exercized his new authority to appoint officers.

In a March 28 letter to council members, he announced that he and Chief Jerry DeBriae had agreed on a set of officers:

--DeBriae would continue to be chief;

--Retired Assistant Chief Fred Johnson would become Executive Assistant Chief, subject to his acceptance of the position;

--Assistant Chief Duncan Cruikshank would become Battalion Commander, Emergency Medical Services;

--Assistant Chief Bill Faubion would become Battalion Commander, Fire Supression, and

--It is yet to be determined who would become Battalion Commander, Wildlands.

On Tuesday, Johnson said he would inform the mayor of his decision on whether or not to come out of retirement for the fire department next week.

Also in the letter, Wehrfritz said he had asked Chief DeBriae to implement two standing orders:

1. That he fill the ranks of officers in the department as he sees fit, and

2. That all existing rules, regulations and operating guidelines not in conflict with Ordinance 548-70 are to remain in effect; they will be revised as needed.