— from Marla Johns, Public Information Officer for the Orcas Fire and Rescue District —
The results of an internal review of former Chief Miklos Preysz, performed by Consultants from Bellingham Mediation and Consulting group, were recently released to the public following a public records request.
It is not the policy of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue to release information pertaining to personnel issues, nor was it the intent of the Commissioners for the investigation to be public record in this case. The review was originally protected by attorney client privilege; but the privilege no longer applied in this case once the employee consented to its release to an outside entity.
For many years, Miklos Preysz served the community of Orcas Island as a paramedic. His efforts can be credited with saving countless lives and for providing quality care to many more. As a Department, we are standing together in honoring his years of service to the community and in looking toward the future. We ask that the community support the staff, volunteers and Commissioners in moving forward as a strong and united organization.
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is committed to our mission to “protect life, property, and the environment through Emergency Medical Services, Fire/Rescue Services, and Public Education in a cost effective manner.”
I know Mick as an exceptionally professional, experienced and efficient, friendly paramedic. He helped save my life with his diagnostic and persuasive skills. Innuendo serves no purpose except to fuel street rumors. If there was cause for his “leaving”, that cause must be of concern to the community he served as well. If not, if politics were involved, say so.
Yet again, our Fire District has chosen to become entangled in a mess and through the whole process provide the public with zero information. Worse than zero is this bit of information, which is not really information, but a press release about a policy about information.
Maybe OIFR and OPALCO can get together and jointly release information? Then the public can read a single worthless press release in one sitting rather than being lied to twice.
Make no mistake Mrs. Johns–the community supports OIFR– to the tune of $22 MILLION over the next 10 years. The locals I know have no problem with the volunteers or staff of OIFR–quite the opposite. We DO have a problem with the leadership. The report that was released (including 19 different people complaining about the administration) proves an ongoing culture of bullying and sexual harrassment at OIFR! Mik was justifiably given the opporunity to resign instead of being fired. But two of three commissioners who have allowed this to continue for years needs to follow him out the door!