— from Chief Kevin O’Brien —
Fire Chief’s Goals and Priorities for 2014
- Execute the mission of OIFR through the direction of the Board of Commissioners
- Improve and maintain fiscal accountability for all OIFR operations • Provide positive leadership for OIFR and our community
- Improve reliability and performance for OIFR
- Execute the OIFR strategic plan
- Provide sound management and oversight for all operations, equipment, facilities, projects and programs for OIFR
- Maintain a high level of service delivery
- Improve operations through identifying efficiencies an
- Update all policy, procedures and guidelines
- Improve all communications (Radio, Interdepartmental, Community)
- Expand public programs
- Foster open and clear communications with the Orcas Island Community and our surrounding partners
............................CALLS FOR SERVICE ....................This Report ........Year to Date EMS.................. 61....................222 Fire/Other........ 20.....................73 Total................. 81................... 295 2012.......... 1/1/12–4/30/12..............205 2013.............1/1/13-4/30/13..............243 Total call volume for 2012 was 783 (14% increase) Total call volume for 2013 was 879 (12% increase) Year to date increase from 2013 is 21% Public CPR Classes.........29 Orcas CARES.................7
NOTABLE ALARMS:
Cardiac On April 2 at 12:31 p.m., OIFR assisted an adult male experiencing left arm pain that had lasted for several days. Emergency medical personnel determined that the pain had originated from a cardiac issue. The patient was treated and transported in stable condition to Eastsound Airport and transferred to Airlift Northwest for a flight to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.
Chimney Fire On April 13 at 8:05 p.m., OIFR responded to the Rossel Lane neighborhood for a report of a Chimney fire with active flames coming out of the flue. After calling 911, the resident managed to apply water to the inside of his fireplace extinguishing flames in the flue. On OIFR’s arrival, the fire was out in the chimney but OIFR personnel using a Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) located hot embers on the roof, which were extinguished with water. Ventilation fans were used to clear the residence of smoke.
Abdominal Pain On April 23 at 12:44 a.m., OIFR personnel were requested to respond to Camp Orkila to assist a 44-year-old patient experiencing severe abdominal pain. The patient was treated and transported in stable condition to Eastsound Airport and transferred to Airlift Northwest for a flight to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.
Head Injury On April 25 at 1:37 p.m., OIFR personnel assisted an 84-year-old individual who experienced a ground level fall resulting in a head injury. The patient was treated and transported in stable condition to Eastsound Airport and transferred to Airlift Northwest for a flight to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.
NEWS AND EVENTS:
April 1, 2013, Chief O’Brien represented the San Juan County Fire Chiefs at the “Washington State County Chief’s Meeting” in Sequim Washington. At the meeting, Chief O’Brien was made aware of a potential grant to improve radio communications in San Juan County.
April 22, Orcas Island voters approved Proposition 1 which will sustain OIFR Levy funding for 10 years. Approval of the Levy will allow OIFR to accomplish the following:
- Maintain our current levels of service for EMS, Fire, Rescue, and Public
- Education
- Maintain or replace as needed, our current vehicles with no expansion
- Maintain our current facilities with no expansion
- Address OIFR Ten Year Financial Projection
- Address the priorities in the OIFR Strategic Plan
In April the District began initial work toward amending the Conditional Use Permit for Deer Harbor Station 21 to allow public meetings at the station.
OIFR has hired Orcas Islander and OIFR Volunteer Seth Ybarra as our new Maintenance Technician Responder who will replace Jack Delisle. Seth was hired froma top spot on our Maintenance Technician/Responder eligibility list created last year through a regional search. Seth began employment on May 20.
MAY EVENTS:
May 14, 7:00 p.m. at Buck Park, OIFR Volunteer Association hosted a softball game fundraiser for Darrington Firefighter Seth Jefferds. Seth lost his wife, granddaughter, and home in the 530 Landslide.
May 15, OIFR participated in Orcas High School Senior Katie Hollie’s Senior Project where she organized a large-scale drill simulating a vehicle accident involving students who were under the influence. The drill was designed to inform students of the possible tragic outcome of impaired driving. After the drill, the OIFR Volunteer Association hosted a barbeque for all participants.
