Washington state fire chief quit over event held in station

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - A fire chief in Washington state resigned due to a dispute over a fundraising event inside the city’s only fire station.

The News Tribune reports former DuPont Fire Chief Michael Keohi quit in July when city officials insisted on holding a parks department fundraising auction in the station.

Keohi says the annual event in the bay where department vehicles are normally parked would impede firefighters’ access to equipment, especially in an emergency situation.

City Administrator Andy Takata says he does not believe the October fundraiser hinders the fire department in the community about 18 miles (29 kilometers) southwest of Tacoma.

DuPont’s recreation and events coordinator says the event has been held in the fire station for four of the past five years.

Up to 200 guests have previously attended.

___

Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com