Fire Chief’s Report: August 1 — August 31, 2014

— from OIFR 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
  • 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

 ....................This Report ........Year to Date
 EMS..................  75....................491
 Fire........     16....................150
 Total................. 89................... 566
 2012..........   1/1/12–5/31/12..............418
 2013.............1/1/13-5/31/13..............507

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 11.6%
Overlapping calls for 2014 is 123 or 26.4%

Notable Alarms
Kitchen Fire August 7, 7:00 p.m. OIFR responded to a stovetop fire in the Eastsound area. On the arrival of OIFR personnel, the owner had extinguished the fire. A thermal imaging camera was used to check for possible extension of the fire which had scorched the range hood. The stove was removed from the residence at the request of the homeowner.

Abdominal Pain August 9, 1:30 p.m. OIFR responded to a visitor to the Doe Bay Fest with a long history of abdominal and gastrointestinal issues who was having severe abdominal pain. After the initial examination and treatment, the man wished to remain at the festival; a short time later, however, his symptoms returned and he ultimately was flown in stable condition to Island Hospital in Anacortes via Island Air for further evaluation and treatment.

Unconscious Male August 16, 12:00 a.m. OIFR responded to a report of a male with a very decreased level of consciousness in the Eastsound area. After an EMS examination, it was determined that the man needed transportation to a mainland hospital for further evaluation. After treatment by OIFR personnel, the patient was flown to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham by Airlift Northwest in serious condition.

Cardiac August 17, 11:00 a.m. OIFR responded to a church in Eastsound to assist a male who had reportedly lost consciousness for a brief time. On examination, he was found to have a cardiac condition which required immediate care at a hospital cardiac center. He was stabilized by OIFR EMS personnel and flown via Airlift Northwest to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.

Near Drowning August 17, 5:30 p.m. OIFR responded to Moran State Park to help a young woman who was reported to have had a possible seizure while swimming in Cascade Lake. She was brought to shore by family and bystanders and on arrival of EMS personnel, was conscious but lethargic. She was treated at the scene and after evaluation was taken to the Eastsound Airport and transferred to Airlift Northwest for transport to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham in stable condition.

Fetal Distress August 19, 10:30 a.m. OIFR was called by a local midwife for transport of a pregnant patient to Island Hospital. The midwife’s examination had found that the baby’s heart rate was variable and slow, indicating possible distress. A mainland obstetrician was contacted and the woman was flown via Airlift Northwest to Island Hospital in Anacortes. A healthy baby was delivered some days later.

Dryer Fire August 19, 5:00 p.m. OIFR responded to the Eastsound area for a report of a smell of smoke from a clothes dryer. The gas dryer was disconnected and removed from the residence and the smoldering contents were removed. Thermal imaging was used to check the surrounding areas and vents. The owners were cautioned to have the dryer inspected before any further use.

Cardiac Arrest August 21, 7:30 p.m. An 18 year old male in the Eastsound area was found unconscious and unresponsive in his bed by a friend. CPR was initiated and 911 was called. On the arrival of OIFR personnel, an AED (defibrillator) had been used but had indicated ‘no shock advised’. CPR and full advanced cardiac life support treatment was provided with no change in the patient’s condition. After comprehensive resuscitation efforts had been performed, there was no response from the patient. Resuscitation efforts were ceased and the patient was pronounced dead at the scene. The San Juan County Coroner and Sheriff are investigating the incident.

Fire with Rescue August 30, 3:20 p.m. Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Volunteer Firefighter and San Juan County Sherriff’s Deputy Doug Maya was off duty on San Juan Island when he noticed fire in a camper van located in a mobile home park on the edge of the Town of Friday Harbor. Firefighter/Deputy Maya searched the smoke filled van and rescued two people, then called in the fire to the 911 dispatcher. The two occupants were transported to Peace Island Hospital, evaluated and released.

News and Events
Lindsay Schirmer OIFR Administrative Assistant Lindsay Schirmer has accepted a position with the Medical Center and will be leaving her post as our Administrative Assistant on September 12. Fortunately, she will continue as a Volunteer EMT with OIFR. I can’t thank Lindsay enough for the great work and dedication she has given the District and Community.

Residential and Commercial Permitted Burning is Closed Effective July 1, commercial and residential permitted burning is closed through September. If conditions allow, we expect permitted burning to reopen in October. Recreational camp fires no larger than two feet in diameter are currently allowed. If you have a recreational fire, please make sure that it is attended at all times and maintain a method of extinguishment in close proximity. When you are finished with the camp fire, make sure it is “dead out.” In partnership with the San Juan County Fire Marshal, OIFR will continue to monitor the fire risk conditions of our island and we will keep you posted regarding the possible closure of recreational fires.

As of 8/11/14 there is a burn ban for all fires in Moran State Park and other Washington State DNR controlled lands.

“Fly In” Pancake Breakfast On the mornings of Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, the OIFR Volunteer Association served up their world famous pancakes. Proceeds for the events go to the OIFR Volunteer Association to fund local scholarships, response equipment, and assistance to volunteers.

Library Fair August 9: OIFR personnel staffed a table at the Library Fair to provide fire and life safety information. “Hands Only CPR” instruction was provided as well.

Doe Bay Fest August 8-10: OIFR provided medical support at the Doe Bay Fest.

Mass Casualty Incident Training August 7: OIFR members participated in comprehensive Mass Casualty Incident drill that simulated the collision of two airplanes involving 16 patients at the Eastsound Airport.

Deer Harbor Station 24 Conditional Use Permit August 13: Commissioner Bedell, Chief O’Brien, and Terri Williams and Randy Harrington with Permit Resources testified before the San Juan County Hearing Examiner to request a change to the Deer Harbor Station 24 Conditional Use Permit which would allow public meetings in the main floor meeting room at the station.

The District was notified that the request has been granted under the conditions that 14 parking spaces are provided and no more 20 people may occupy the room at one time.

Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Hiring Process OIFR is currently engaged in the hiring process for our new Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Coordinator. The Volunteer Coordinator position is fully funded by a federal grant geared to improve volunteer recruitment and retention.

Eastsound Station 21 Paint Job After 12 years with the original paint job at Eastsound Station 21, Timberline Construction has been hired to paint the station and replace some failed siding on the south side of the building. They have started and are doing great work! The color scheme has changed, with a deep red base color; however, we are sticking with brown dormers and white trim. The job should be completed by mid-October.

Looking Forward
Fire Recruit Academy In September, OIFR will begin a fire recruit academy to train six new volunteers in the basic skills of firefighting. The academy will conclude in the middle of December.

Courtesy Fire Safety Inspections As a courtesy to the community of Orcas Island, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (OIFR) will be providing a pilot program of complimentary fire safety inspections to island businesses at no charge. Fire safety inspections reduce fire risk and help to keep the community safe and “in business.”

Four Common Causes Of Blindness, The Modern Medicine of Vision Friday, October 3, 2014, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., join Dr. Russell Van Gelder at the Eastsound Fire Hall as he talks about the most common causes of vision loss in the United States. Learn about the latest treatments and groundbreaking research taking place at the UW Medicine Eye Institute. Contact Abbey Norris at 206-221-8274 or abbeyn@uw.edu for RSVP and/or questions.

Managing Your Golden Years With the Orcas Cares Partnership, OIFR will be participating in “Managing Your Golden Years” September 17 and 18 at the Orcas Senior Center where topics directed at seniors will be presented including home safety, health, grief, life forms, CPR training, blood pressure checks and more. Call 376-2677 or email Marla Johns at marlaj@sanjuanco.com for more information.