— from Kevin O’Brien, Chief, Orcas Fire and Rescue —

Notable Alarms

Deceased Patient Monday, October 13, OIFR responded to the Raccoon Point neighborhood to assist Evan’s Funeral home with moving a deceased patient requiring a mortuary transport.

Multiple Vehicle Accident Friday, October 18, OIFR responded to a three-vehicle accident on Olga Road near the Ship Bay neighborhood. Two patients were treated for minor injuries and did not require transport off the island.

CPR Friday, November 1, OIFR responded to assist a 79-year-old male in cardiac arrest. Our personnel administered CPR and other comprehensive resuscitation efforts. Unfortunately, there was no return of spontaneous circulation from the patient who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Flooding Saturday, November 2, OIFR assisted the owners of Ray’s Pharmacy with a flooding problem caused by storm water run-off. Through cooperative efforts with the owners of Ray’s and San Juan County Public Works, damage to property was avoided and the flooding problem rectified.

Traumatic Injuries from a Fall Monday, November 4, OIFR assisted a 70-year-old male who had sustained traumatic injuries from a fall of approximately 15 feet from a rock wall. The patient was treated and transported to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Bellingham via Airlift Northwest.

Telecommunications Outage Tuesday, November 5, The San Juan Islands experienced a 911 and long distance outage. OIFR established an area command post and set up a 911 communications center. Efforts to inform the public included group emails, press releases, and “Operation Meet Your Neighbor” where OIFR and community members worked together to inform our neighbors of the outage and what to do in the event of an emergency.

The most up-to-date information we have regarding the telecommunications situation on Orcas Island is the following:

  • All telecommunications service is unstable
  • 911 service is working from land-line phones
  • Local and island-to-island land-line telephone service is functional
  • Some land-line long distance is functional
  • Some 911, local, and long distance service is available from cell phones
  • Centurylink and OPALCO are continuing efforts to improve service

Due to the unstable nature of communications, we recommend the following procedure in reporting any emergency:

  1. First, dial 911 from a land line
  2. A cellphone may be used as well,but a landline may be more reliable
  3. Then try calling OIFR direct at 376-2331
  4. You can email 911@sanjuanco.com

Fire Chief’s Goals and Priorities for 2013

  • Execute the mission of OIFR through 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
  • Update the OIFR strategic plan
  • Provide sound management and oversight for all operations, equipment, facilities, projects and programs for OIFR
    • 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..................  54....................565
 Fire/Other........     20....................219
 Total................. 74................... 784
 2011..........   1/1/11–11/10/11.............609
 2012.............1/1/12-11/11/12.............687

 Year to date responses have increased 14.1%
 Compared to 2011, year to date responses have increased 29%
 Total call volume for 2012 was 784 alarms.

News and Events

District Financial Officer OIFR District Financial Officer Sally Kass has resigned her position effective October 15, 2013. To maintain continuity in financial operations, Mark Horaski CPA has been hired as a contract consultant. Mark is currently the Director of Finance and Administration for the Valley Regional Fire Authority in Auburn, WA. He has been hired as a contract consultant until December 31, 2013 tasked with the following:

  • Conducting the duties of the District Financial Officer in daily operations
  • Assisting the District with the development of the 2014 budget
  • Review and analysis of current financial systems and processes
  • Assistance with the development of the OIFR long-term financial plan

Orcas Cares Orcas Cares is a partnership program created to assist seniors and disabled people who require assistance, but not necessarily EMS care. Orcas Cares volunteers help folks with the goal of preventing EMS calls and keeping people at home. Our partners include the Senior Center, Lahari, Orcas Medical Foundation, Hearts and Hands, and the Lion’s Club. Since we began the program last spring, 35 people have been assisted by Orcas Cares.

Did You Know?

  • OIFR personnel have attended a combined 7,324 hours of training in 2013.
  • In 2013, OIFR members have spent a combined 6,396 hours responding to emergency incidents.
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