Big announcement, new hirings, exciting times for Orcas Island Fire & Rescue

||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE |||

OIFR is pleased to announce the hiring of Chief Chad Kimple as the new Fire Chief.  Chief Kimple has served in multiple capacities for OIFR for over 20 years. Most recently he has been the interim OIFR chief as well as the Fire Marshal for San Juan County. Chief Kimple began his new role officially on March 13th.

OIFR is also thrilled to announce that all of the career fire/medic positions have been filled. OIFR is now able to run all shifts – 24/7 – with a minimum of one paramedic/firefighter and one EMT/firefighter, in addition to the volunteer member
support.

Paramedic/Firefighter Bryce Hamilton has returned to OIFR after working several years for the city of Burlington. Paramedic Scott Jackson comes to OIFR from Whidbey Island.

Amie Stevens, an islander and also a paramedic, has been hired for the EMT/firefighter position. And Kat Barnard, an islander and longtime staff member of OIFR, has also been hired for the EMT/firefighter position.

Dimitri Stankevich, an islander and longtime volunteer member of OIFR, has been hired as the Director of Administration and Finance.

Looking ahead to the summer of 2025, OIFR has formed two active committees (one for facilities and one for apparatus) to tackle the Capital Levy project. OIFR is confident that with community dialog and support the department will be able to fulfill its budgetary and safety requirements for vehicles and station maintenance in short order.

And OIFR looks forward to restart in the coming year a formal Cadet Program for youth interested in volunteer membership. Exciting times for OIFR!

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue welcomes the new hires – Chad, Bryce, Scott, Amie, Kat and Dimitri – and expresses huge appreciation and gratitude to the community and volunteer members for their support during the transition over the last nine months.

OIFR is as robust of a department as it has ever been and looks forward to an active and successful 2025!

Neighbors Serving Neighbors since 1948!