||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR |||
There’s definitely something awry at Orcas Island Fire & Rescue. My email recently has been beset with messages that reveal unsettling, internal strife, and personal angst with increasingly serious contention within the ranks.
I could recite (print) any number of potentially serious issues that are going on there — the backstabbing, the dismissals or resignations, not to mention the no-confidence vote in Fire Chief Scott Williams, or dubious Fire Commission oversight — any of which would prompt a good reporter to dig in to this story, even if it might be for the long haul.
From the looks of things, a lot of research, delving, and background probing by a really good investigative reporter is called for. Our operating budget, perhaps fortunately (because who wants to wade through what will no doubt boil down to someone’s ego), simply cannot support such an undertaking.
While no one wants to think that this recent situation has influenced the level or amount of service we have come to expect from our EMS and fire folks, this is all beginning to sound rather, well, like a possibility.
C’mon, you know how to do this, guys. Get your fire-truckin’ act together.
Lin, I personally take issue with this. Never discount the efforts of OIFR. Question, yes.
The challenge is, this institution is peopled by people.. with that comes personalities, some good rarely some bad.
But this institution stands for the best of us. It shows itself daily by the results it brings. We all enjoy these benefits!! And I can say, I’m always impressed by the performance of our end result, good patent care!
I have been on all sides of this institution.. from having Loved Ones flown off, not knowing if I will ever see them again, to giving CPR for a neighbors child as a responder.
Yes there are concerns for our department, but don’t throw out the Baby with the Wash. If you care, really care.. then show up.. whether in person or virtually. Lifting is needed, not directing.
Too many leaders is chaos, to any scene. While I have my own thoughts about our Fire/EMS I stand behind them 100 percent. Why, because they are the ones up to bat. So, my simple plea is, ask questions and keep asking. Then, support them. They need it, all of them!
Second guessing leadership is like throwing sand upwind, it hurts all.
I’m not picking on you directly, I respect you immensely, but know full well this is bigger than just angst, we all can do better to nourish our beloved Department to be safe, ready and well cared for.
Imagine if those in charge, those managing, those responding, those training, those behind the scenes stopped.. it would suck! Let’s not suck..
Shame on you Lin.
Perhaps a quote by Napolean regarding the situation with the OIFD:
“I would rather have an ill -fed army with high morale than one that is well fed but with low morale”
This opinion piece seems to me to say “I’m think there are problems but, as a reporter, I’m not going to bother to figure out what is going on. Instead I’ll just throw shade.” You are presenting a lopsided inaccurate summary of what is going on without bothering to learn the truths or find out the other side of the issues. That isn’t journalism and you should be ashamed of yourself.
“Shame! You’re on Orcas Island.” Is this the new trend? If so, I’m so very sad. We need Lin.
“Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman.” Justice Louis D. Brandeis
https://louisville.edu/law/library/special-collections/the-louis-d.-brandeis-collection/other-peoples-money-chapter-v
Sadly, taxing district meetings are not well or consistently attended. Zoom has helped people attend meetings from home, but to get to the bottom of what is really going on with the dept, commission, and chief, reporters need to cover the meetings and citizens need to show up – not just once or twice – but consistently, especially during inner strife and transitions. So many “races” for commission seats are “won” unopposed. There seems to be little interest, which is sad, considering that the Port and Fire District are connected.
If a board or commisson provides lax oversight, they must be questioned and called to the carpet. It is very hard to force resignation; elections or someone resigning their seat is the only way to change a commission that is not doing the will of the people.; The best thing the public can do in these instances is show up, form work groups, ask for records requests, get informed. educate others.
What has been needed for decades on Orcas is a citizens’ watchdog group and a Public Records Database for all citizens to access information – citizen-run; not run by government or the very commissions that should be overseeing employees. We simply can’t wait for paid governmental entities to do it. But it’s complex. The amount of papers or things to slog through and read through is oppressive.
Taxing District commissioners have the option to take monies for meetings, or now. Most take the money. There has just been a huge raise for some of the taxing district commissioners, thanks to the CARES act. I’m talking from something like $118 a month to over $400 a month. If they are going to get that much more money, one hopes they will do a bit more work on behalf of the citizenry they purportedly serve. Another issue for a commission and for the Public is that when only one seat is up for election, even if a preferred candidate wins and unseats an incumbent, as just happened in this last election, that new lone voice will not be enough to help do the will of the people – not without the people and citizen/journalist participation.
Tracy, we need Lin. I couldn’t agree more. Her role as Editor is vital to our Community. She has a voice that is heard and listened to. It’s never easy dealing with difficult topics publicly, and deserves the respect of the countless hours required to publish these pieces.
I so remember Ted, awaiting individuals outside the Post office, charged with passion asking.. what do you think about the latest topic for the Sounder..
We need individuals, in all walks of our community that are willing and passionate doing their tasks at hand. That’s diversity at its finest. We can disagree, discuss and move on. That’s us, like family.. just be respectful, make your point and smile.
I thought I would also post this because it is so important for Commissioners to keep in mind as concerns representation and rights and responsibilities of citizens: It’s right there in the very beginning of the Open Meetings Act: RCW 42.30.010
Legislative declaration.
The legislature finds and declares that all public commissions, boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, departments, divisions, offices, and all other public agencies of this state and subdivisions thereof exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business. It is the intent of this chapter that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly.
The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.
My name is Kim and I am a member of the Orcas Fire family.
I work with the department as a volunteer EMT/Firefighter, Board Secretary, and Public Information Officer. Through my various roles in the department I have gained a unique perspective into the oversight, administration and operations within the District. I’m writing today as a volunteer and my statement below is my own and not on behalf of the District or any other district or entity.
All in all we have a great team at Orcas Fire. Are there internal issues? Absolutely. The District has stated they recognize these issues and are actively working towards remedy. Orcas Fire is an organization overseen, administrated and operated by humans. Humans who show up and who sometimes fall short but get up, try again and continue to learn and grow.
One thing is for sure and will always hold true –when a neighbor is in need and the tones drop, we respond together. We work together, we put aside discord, and we show up to help our neighbors in need – together. In the moments between emergency calls and daily tasks we train and prepare together. And after especially difficult incidents we sit together to process and mourn and hold space for each other.
Our commonality and driving factor is that we are all in this for the same reason- to help our neighbors. When you need us, we’ll be there. Our commitment to respond to our community is unwavering. I stand with each and every department member in this commitment and feel fortunate to serve this community alongside each and every one of them.
Thanks Kim.. you speak for the Masses. Anyone that has served in for our Community in the last 50 years knows what you just shared .. it’s people taking care of people.
This is nothing new, but structured with Commitment, that is something few sign up for. All would like to, but the few that do, I’m always grateful!!!