— by Lin McNulty —
Orcas Fire and Rescue Chief Kevin O’Brien. File photo.
As a complete surprise to the public, OIFR Chief Kevin O’Brien announced his resignation at the regularly scheduled Board of Fire Commissioners meeting on Thursday, March 19.
The Board, stated Commissioner Barbara Bedell, was somewhat caught off guard by the notice.
Chief O’Brien has accepted a position at Lake Stevens. His resignation is expected to be effective next month.
Chief O’Brien could not be reached for comment.
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It is with great sadness that I read this posting. What a terrible loss to our community and the fire department. Kevin, you brought so many wonderful and positive things to our fire department.
I am stunned by Kevin’s resignation. He has been such a welcome change to the atmosphere that existed with prior chiefs in command.
Given this change, the challenge for the Board is to find an acceptable replacement. I would begin by looking within. Our most compatible chiefs have been members of our own community.
What a tremendous loss for our community. I hope the Commissioners will make a valiant effort to change what must have been an agonizing decision for Kevin and his family.
Great opportunity for all of us to take a close look at the atmosphere of criticism and negativity that pervades so much of the community dialog. Maybe it’s time to start embracing and supporting our community leaders and agencies, instead of fighting and bickering at every step of the way. Healthy oversight and active public involvement is one thing, but the current environment is astonishingly counter-productive for a community with so many resources, financial, intellectual, and otherwise. No idea why the Chief is leaving, but I’m sure he’s the best fit this island could ever have hoped for, and I’m sure this island could have welcomed him with more open arms. Best luck to him, and let’s make his replacement’s life a bit easier, shall we?
I would like to thank Kevin personally for three years of dedicated service to the community. Your leadership, vision, spirit, dedication and sense of community will be difficult to duplicate.
It is a great honor to consider you a friend and I wish you the best moving forward. I am sad at the thought of not having you at Station 21, Orcas Island has lost a great leader.
Rick Hughes
San Juan County Council
This news stuns me. So sorry to learn it. Kevin and his family have been such a positive influence here on Orcas Island. Joyce and I wish you well and we also wish you might consider coming back some day.
Totally agree with Rick Hughes statement. So very sorry to lose a quality leader like Kevin. All the best to you and family.
Deborah Samuelson there are many who feel like you do including me and like Rick Hughes states above I am sad at the thought of the O’Brien Family and my good friend Kevin not being a daily part of Island Life. The Island has lost a tremendous leader.
KEVIN You have broken my heart. Velma
To set the record straight, Chief Kevin O’Brien kept the Board of Fire Commissioners apprised of the entire hiring process with the Lake Stevens Fire Department. Therefore, Chief O’Brien’s announcement at last night’s Commissioners’ Meeting that he had accepted the position did not come as a surprise to us. Now the Commissioners and Chief O’Brien are working on a transition plan, but the Commissioners want to emphasize that the same exceptional level of service provided by the volunteers and the paid staff will continue uninterrupted.
The Commissioners are very saddened by Chief O’Brien’s departure and know that he will be greatly missed. We also acknowledge and understand the reasons why he chose the position in Lake Stevens. The Commission expresses its profound gratitude for the many contributions that Chief O’Brien made to Orcas Island Fire and Rescue and to the Orcas Island community. We wish for Chief O’Brien and his family all the best.
Barbara G. Bedell, Chair
Board of Fire Commissioners
San Juan County Fire Protection District #2
Kevin (and Nancy) – you have given so much to Orcas Island and my family is truly grateful. Your dedication, compassion, leadership, and smiling faces are our definition of what makes our community special. You both are leaving big shoes to fill and have set an amazing standard. Very proud to know you! We wish you great success and happiness in your next chapter and hope you will come back and visit as often as possible.
-Cathy, Nels and Trevor
I can only wish you and your lovely family nothing but a positive transition and satisfaction with your decision. So many have been encouraged by the positive strides in the department since your arrival. My husband Jim and I wish you find success and.happiness in your new endeavor
Deborah Samuleson has given a great response. What more can one say? This is a big loss to the community, a family who has made a big difference in many ways and done it well. Deborah nailed it. I personally wish the O’Brien family the very best. I am so sad to see you leave. I will miss you.
Wow–what a loss for the fire department, the school, and the Orcas community as a whole. Lake Stevens will be lucky to have them. Best of luck to the whole family!
Judy and I are doubly sad as we are not only losing a great fire chief but also a great neighbor. Kevin, we wish you and your family all the best!
We will miss you Kevin, Nancy and family
We are blessed to have you our friends and so much support through out the years. We wish you the best and hope to see you around before you move
May God bless you and continue to guide you on the next chapter of your life
With our love and prayers
Tim & Daphne Tyree and
The Orcas Loving Care family
I am deeply saddened by Kevin’s resignation. He has been a bright light for this community, letting us know the workings and news of the fire department. The Sheriff’s office might take note. It isn’t too hard to be open. It just takes time.
I want to thank Barbara Bedell for her quick comments about the board and Kevin’s up front discussion regarding the move. This may have halted the usual firestorm of rumor and speculation.
We are devastated to lose Chief O’Brien! We were counting on him staying here FOREVER!! He has set an incredibly high bar for future Chiefs! His professionalism, his commitment, his friendliness (and hugs!), his caring about each and every one of us has been exemplary and we will miss him terribly! We wish him and his family all the best as he moves on! Lake Stevens community probably doesn’t yet know how lucky it is! Thanks, dear Chief Kevin O’Brien, for being such a bright star in our Orcas sky!!
Kevin—What a great day it was when we heard one of our island’s own, Kevin O’Brien was coming back home to lead the fire department! And what a wonderful job you have done in every way! As someone else said, we thought that you would be here forever. How we will miss seeing your friendly smile and wave in town and knowing that you are always willing to lend an ear. We hope that you are loved as much in Lake Stevens.
Louellen and Miles
I have been laboring these past few days under the weight of responding to the news of Kevin and his family leaving. This morning I read what I wish I had been able to put into words. I do not know you, but thank you Deborah Samuelson for writing that which has been in my mind and weighing heavily on my heart, not just with this recent news, but as long as I have participated in public life on Orcas. Best wishes to Kevin, Nancy and their family, The Fire department and this community!
Let me add my name to the long list who are lamenting the loss of a wonderful family, and our Fire Chief. I have cherished my time getting to know Kevin and the family, and wish only the best for them. And I also second Deborah Samuleson’s thoughts. Lake Stevens is soon to be graced by an outstanding family.
Kevin and Family – How sad we were to learn of this news! I am incredibly thankful for all you have done for my family and am grateful that our paths crossed. As much as I hoped you would stay, I am proud of you for choosing happiness. I wish you all the best life has to offer!