Fire Chief’s Report: July 1 – July 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

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 ....................This Report ........Year to Date
 EMS..................  74....................416
 Fire/Other........     15....................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
Cardiac Arrest July 4: 7:30 p.m., OIFR responded to Raccoon Point neighborhood to assist a 67 year old male in cardiac arrest. After CPR and other significant emergency medical procedures administered, the patient did not respond to resuscitation attempts and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fall from a Tree July 12: 8:00 p.m., OIFR responded to Orcas Landing for the report of a juvenile male who fell approximately twelve feet from a tree and sustained possible head and spine injuries. The patient was treated, stabilized, and transported to a remote landing zone in the Orcas area where he was transferred to Airlift Northwest for helicopter transport to Harborview Hospital in Seattle. OIFR was informed the patient is well and experienced a full recovery.

Bicycle Accident July 13: 12:00 p.m., OIFR responded to the Orcas neighborhood to assist a juvenile male was found unconscious after falling from his bicycle at high speed. The patient had sustained traumatic injuries and was treated, stabilized, and transported to a remote landing zone in the Orcas area where he was transferred to Airlift Northwest for helicopter transport to Harborview Hospital in Seattle.

Unconscious Female July 25: 3:30 p.m., OIFR responded to report of a woman who collapsed while in her boat in the Deer Harbor area. CPR was performed by citizen rescuers and she was brought to shore, treated by OIFR responders, and found to have cardiac abnormalities. After emergency medical procedures were performed, she was stabilized and flown to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham via Airlift Northwest. OIFR has learned the patient has achieved a full recovery.

Eye Injury July 29: 3:30 p.m., OIFR responded to a home in the Eastsound area for the report of a male who suffered an eye injury sustained while using a pressure washer. The patient was treated and transported to Eastsound Airport in stable condition where he was transferred to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham via Airlift Northwest.

Capsized Boat July 30: 9:30 a.m., OIFR personnel responded to a report of a capsized aluminum boat off the shore near the Buckhorn neighborhood with two adult males who were in the salt water for up to ten minutes. When OIFR personnel arrived, the men had been rescued and delivered to shore by family members. The men were medically evaluated and found to be in stable condition with no further treatment required. Thanks to Outer Island Expeditions for their support and assistance on this alarm.

News and Events
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.

Marine Response Exercise July 15: OIFR participated in a marine response exercise with Outer Island Expeditions.

Mass Casualty Incident Training July 16: In preparation for the Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Drill in August, OIFR members participated in comprehensive training and a tabletop exercise addressing the components of a large scale medical incident. The subsequent MCI drill in August took place at Eastsound Airport and simulated an aircraft collision involving 16 patients.

Wildland Fire Training July 24: OIFR Wildland Firefighters hiked Turtleback Mountain to survey the environment and plan for potential wildfire operations.

“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.