Former Pasco Fire Chief Part of Oso Landslide Investigation Committee

A retired Pasco official is on the state investigation team to help provide fresh eyes in disaster investigation.

Gov. Inslee has appointed a special group of investigators to get answers about the horriffic Oso landslide earlier this year, and to find solutions to make sure it doesn't happen again.

73-year-old Greg Garcia was the Fire Chief in Pasco from 1995 until 2008.   One of two officials from Eastern Washington on the commission who will meet for the first time August 15th.   A number of followup meetings will be planned throughout the fall.

Garcia and others will examine all the evidence and information about the massive landslide that killed 43 people near Oso, WA along Highway 530 on March 22nd.    Gov. Inslee and Snohomish County Emergency officials wanted people on the commission who had no ties to the area, so they could evaluate what happened without any bias.

These officials are not being asked to assign blame, but find out what led to the most massive landslide in WA history,  and find solutions and frame policies that will prevent future such disasters.   Garcia was recommended by a number of officials for the position due to his extensive experience in public safety, and performance as the Fire Chief in Pasco.