Celebrate 65 Years of Fire Service With the Volunteers

Sunday, April 13, 4–6:30 p.m., Random Howse

— by Lin McNulty —

On Sunday, the Volunteer Firefighters Association invites us all to come and celebrate their 65 years of service on Orcas Island.

Random Howse, 365 North Beach Road, is hosting the celebration with free food and soft drinks.

A brief history of the Department, 1948-2013, follows:

First fire engine, a 1928 Howard Cooper Pumper

1948 Community leader and business man Bob Schoen and the Commercial Club (now known as the Chamber of Commerce) created the taxing district needed for the fire department. Funds were raised to buy necessary equipment. Along came the first fire engine, a 1928 Howard Cooper Pumper, purchased for $600 from the Raymond Fire Department. This engine came equipped with a 200-gallon water tank, a top running speed of 55 mph, and a stopping distance of 200 yards. Mr. Schoen drove it home to Orcas on May 4, 1948.

1963 The fire department had six fire trucks in inventory. One each was stationed near West Beach, Westsound, Orcas, Deer Harbor, Obstruction Pass near the Resort, and in Eastsound.

1966 The first Firefighter’s Association dance was held to raise money for a medical rescue vehicle. Patients were being transported in station wagons or in the back of a pickup truck to the closest medical assistance.

1970 Wes Janke was hired as the part time first paid chief in October, 1970. He hailed from Westport and brought with him 15 years of experience with various fire departments.

First Medical “Rescue” Vehicle, a 1971 Ford Panel Van

1971 The Firefighter’s Association raised enough money to purchase the first medical “rescue” vehicle, a 1971 Ford Panel van for $4,310.44. It was stationed at the Eastsound fire station. Firefighters were given advanced first aid training, along with heart massage instruction (early version of CPR).

1972 Chief Janke introduced the first radio technology to the fire department, complete with a dedicated radio frequency. The first emergency medical technician course was held on Orcas Island, but remained separate from the fire department.

1974 Chief Janke retired for medical reasons; the assistant chief and mechanic, Gordy Fox became chief. He was responsible for outfitting the district with additional equipment and manpower, and for bringing EMS into the fire district.

1982 Rob Christensen was hired as the first Firefighter Paramedic.

1994 On-island dispatching of emergency calls was terminated in favor of an all-county dispatch system called “San Juan Dispatch”.

1999 A 15-year levy was passed that insured a brighter future with more benefits for the volunteers, and funding to refurbish or replace aging apparatus, equipment, and stations. Aid calls broke a record 328, more than 3 times fire calls.

2001 Ground breaking for the new Eastsound fire station, Station 21.

2002 The Auxiliary was formed with about 12 community members who offered to support the needs of the volunteers during extended fire and aid calls.

2003 Road rescue ambulance and a new brush truck were purchased to be housed at the newly completed Eastsound fire station. A dedicated medical program director was hired for Orcas—Dr. Michael Sullivan, an emergency room physician at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.

2005 Three full time fire/medics were hired to staff the new Eastsound fire station 24/7.

2007 High Angle Ropes Team was launched. Two vacuum water tenders were purchased.

2008 Four WASP engines and one rescue vehicle were purchased.

2011 The West Sound Station 22 was purchased.

2012 Chief Kevin O’Brien took over command of the fire district after Chief Harris’ retirement. Deer Harbor Station 24 was granted Certificate of Occupancy.

2013 Three new fire medics were hired to replace vacancies created from resignations and promotions.