— 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
- 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.................. 68....................291 Fire/Other........ 20.....................92 Total................. 88................... 383 2012.......... 1/1/12–5/31/12..............265 2013.............1/1/13-5/31/13..............324 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 18% Overlapping calls for 2014 is 29.6% Public CPR Classes.........33 Orcas CARES.................7
NOTABLE ALARMS:
Missing Person Search May 1: OIFR personnel were dispatched to the Deer Point neighborhood to conduct a search for an adult male missing overnight. He was found approximately 1000 feet away from his home. The patient was treated for traumatic injuries and exposure. He was transported in stable condition to Eastsound Airport and transferred to Airlift Northwest for a flight to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.
Traumatic Fall May 4: OIFR assisted an adult male who suffered injuries from a 20 foot fall from a roof. 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.
Injury Accident May 9: Multiple OIRF units responded to a rollover accident on Buck Mountain involving one vehicle. The driver was treated for possible traumatic injuries and transported in stable condition to Eastsound Airport and transferred to Airlift Northwest for a flight to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.
Suspicious Fire May 13: In conjunction with the San Juan County Sheriff and Fire Marshal, OIFR conducted an investigation of a small fire at Orcas High School. The fire involvement was a small scorching on an exterior window of the building, which appeared to be not accidental and was extinguished prior to arrival of firefighters. Damage was judged to be approximately $100; the investigation remains open.
Vehicle Fire May 14: OIFR Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire in the Schaeffer Stretch
neighborhood. The fire was quickly extinguished with minimal damage.
Missing Person Search May 19: OIFR personnel assisted the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department in locating a possible missing person in the Foster Point neighborhood. The search occurred in the late evening and the subject was found uninjured and left the scene with the Deputies.
Allergic Reaction May 23: OIFR personnel responded to a ferry docked at Orcas landing for a report of a 12 year old child experiencing a severe allergic reaction. The patient was treated, stabilized, and was able to continue travel to Anacortes with her family for follow-up treatment.
Unconscious Male May 24: OIFR responded to the Harborview neighborhood in Deer Harbor to assist an adult male who lost consciousness. The patient was treated and was able to stay on the island with a subsequent follow-up from his physician.
Missing Person Search May 24: OIFR personnel assisted the San Juan County Sherriff’s Department in a late night search for two missing people in Moran State Park. The missing hikers were reported to be separated from their group on the Cascade Lake. Responders searched over five hours and the people were found in good medical condition near the Mid-way Camp area.
NEWS AND EVENTS:
SAFER Grant Orcas Island Fire and Rescue has been awarded a (SAFER) grant “Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response” from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant is provided to increase or maintain the number of trained “front line” firefighters. The SAFER Grant spans the course of four years and provides up to $674,794 to provide improved volunteer responder benefits, personal protective equipment, and money for a volunteer recruitment and retention coordinator. There are no matching funds required for the grant. The award of the grant conforms with the OIFR strategic goal to seek additional funding alternatives.
SAFER Grant Highlights
- Four-year grant
- Total funding is $674,794
- Recruiting and Retention Coordinator $208,694
- Volunteer Benefits $364,100
- Equipment (Personal Protective Equipment) $102,000
- No matching contribution requirements
- Annual auditing and reporting requirements
- Grant funds may not be used to supplant or replace current budget items.
- After the District accepts the grant, we may request amendments to it.
New Volunteers OIFR welcomes our eight new volunteers: Annalies Schuh (EMT) Paul Carrick (EMT) Sean Haugen (FF/EMT) Anthony Simpson (FF/Recruit) Brandon Naffin (FF/Recruit) David Tribolet (FF/Recruit) Mike Page (EMT/Recruit) Dimitri Stankevich (Logistics)
Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Under the leadership of Assistant Chief Mik Preysz, OIFR conducted an intensive class covering pre-hospital trauma and life support. Participants from as far as Pierce County attended the cutting edge training.
Truckapalooza OIFR participated in the annual “Truckapalooza” event/fundraiser for Orcas Family Health Center.
AED Study OIFR participated in a collaborative Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) study with Philips Healthcare, where participants practiced with new defibrillator units.
Washington Fire Chiefs Chief O’Brien attended the annual Washington Fire Chief’s Conference in Kennewick, Washington.
ICS 300-400 A group of OIFR officers attended the ICS 300 and 400 suite of training which are federally mandated incident management classes. The training was held in Friday Harbor over the course of four days.
Pet Parade Chief O’Brien participated in the Kaleidoscope Pet Parade as the Master of Ceremonies.
Eight Donated Radios A generous citizen donated eight new mobile radios with an estimated cost of $400 per unit.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Join us on the morning of Saturday, July 5 for the “world famous” OIFR Volunteer Association Pancake Breakfast.
