Fire Chief’s Report: October 1–31, 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

Notable Alarms

Lost Hiker October 4, 9:30 p.m. OIFR was requested by San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputies to assist in locating a lost hiker in Moran State Park. The hiker, who was visiting Orcas Island, was reported lost or injured by friends and last seen at approximately 2:00 p.m. in the area of Cascade Falls and Mt. Pickett. Soon after responders began an organized search, the man was found in stable medical condition with no injuries and was reunited with his friends.

Stroke Symptoms October 7, 2:30 p.m. OIFR responded to the Olga area to assist a man with symptoms of a possible stroke. Emergency medical stroke procedures for rapid treatment and transport were initiated and he was flown to a mainland hospital in stable condition.

Abdominal Pain October 12, 4:00 a.m. OIFR personnel responded to a report of a man suffering from acute abdominal and flank pain. He was assessed and treated for pain and flown to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham in stable condition.

Public Service October 14, 4:15 p.m. An elderly woman with a history of dementia was found walking along an Eastsound road in a state of confusion and was brought to the Eastsound Fire Station by Sheriff’s deputies for evaluation by OIFR personnel. She was found to be in stable medical condition, and successfully reunited with her family.

Rapid Heart Rate October 15, 12:00 p.m. OIFR personnel responded to the Orcas Landing area to assist a man experiencing a cardiac problem. After medical treatment by an OIFR paramedic and EMTs, his condition stabilized. His private physician was contacted and the patient was able to remain at home with a follow-up plan to see his doctor.

Cardiac Arrest October 15, 8:30 p.m. A man drove himself to the Eastsound Fire Station after feeling unwell and collapsed after calling 911. He was found to be in cardiac arrest by OIFR personnel who immediately began CPR and other emergency medical procedures. Unfortunately, the man did not respond to extensive medical care and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dislocated Arm October 18, 11:30 a.m. A man was brought to the Eastsound Fire Station by a friend after he sustained a dislocated arm caused by a fall. He was treated for pain by OIFR personnel and transported to the Orcas Medical Clinic where his dislocation treated by the physician with the assistance of OIFR personnel.

Vehicle Fire October 25, 12:00 p.m. OIFR units were dispatched to the Flaherty’s Hill area for the report of a vehicle fire. Arriving responders found a vehicle with overheated brakes and no fire. The juvenile driver was uninjured, and the scene was left in charge of San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputies.

Motor Vehicle Accident October 26, 3:00 p.m. OIFR responded to a vehicle over the embankment on Deer Harbor Road. Arriving responders found the male driver had successfully exited the vehicle. He was found to be in stable condition with minor injuries and was taken to a local physician’s office for follow up.

Animal Rescue October 28, 9:30 a.m. Responders from OIFR were dispatched to Woodside Farm in the Obstruction Pass neighborhood to rescue a dog stranded at the base of a cliff. The 13 year-old black lab, “Molly” was stuck at the base of an approximate 20 foot cliff that ended near the salt water. The dog was trapped and unable to self-rescue.

High angle rescue systems and appropriate safety practices were established. An OIFR EMT who is also a Veterinary Technician was lowered to the dog where she evaluated its medical condition and administered a sedative to calm the pup. Molly was then successfully loaded on a rescue stretcher and delivered to safety where she was reunited with her family.

News and Events

2015 Budget Last April, Orcas voters approved the passage of a ten-year operational levy that in 2015, will reduce the amount the District taxes our community by 1.7%. Additionally, we were fortunate to receive notification of a Federal SAFER Grant award to improve volunteer response.
Through the months of October and November, the Board of Fire Commissioners and Administrative Staff have engaged in multiple public meetings creating the 2015 Proposed Budget which reflects the spirit of the Strategic Plan and Financial Projection and contains adjustments dictated by Washington State BARS reporting laws.

Infectious Disease Planning Staff from OIFR has been working to assure a well-planned response to emergencies involving infectious diseases such as the Ebola virus. Some of the preparation has included meetings and coordination with other emergency response leaders in San Juan County, adopting enhanced procedures for responding to possible incidents involving the Ebola virus, and expanded training of our personnel.

Washington Survey and Ratings Bureau Over the last year, OIFR has been preparing for an evaluation by the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau (WSRB), which began its analysis of OIFR on 10/15. The WSRB evaluates fire districts and water systems and assigns a rating that insurance companies use to establish insurance premiums. OIFR has a current rating of 6 that
was assigned by the WSRB in 1988. The WSRB ratings system has become more detailed and comprehensive since 1988.

Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Coordinator OIFR is happy to welcome Mindy Kayl as our Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Coordinator. Mindy has deep roots on Orcas Island and extensive experience working with volunteers and community of Orcas Island. Her new position is funded entirely by a federal grant designed to strengthen emergency response for EMS, fire and rescue. Key components of her position will be to provide internal customer service for our current volunteers and to recruit new volunteers to assure a robust response to emergencies.

“Community Paramedicine” Health Care/EMS Conference November 4 and 5, OIFR members attended a conference in the Seattle area hosted by the Washington State Fire Chief’s Association that focused on the improvement and interoperability of Emergency Medical and non-emergent medical care services through “Community Paramedicine”/”Mobile Integrated Health Care.”

Delivery of Replacement Paramedic Command Vehicle OIFR has received the first of two Paramedic Command Vehicles that are replacing two “retired” response vehicles. The two Chevrolet Tahoes were purchased through the Washington State Public Bid process. The vehicles will carry the medical and incident response equipment required of our paramedics and will be able to access and transport patients from topographically challenged areas on Orcas Island. They are red in color to provide improved visibility and distinguish their function as an EMS/Fire/Rescue response vehicle.

Looking Forward
2015 Budget OIFR is on the home stretch of our 2015 Budget public meeting process. Formal approval of the budget [was] scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, 5:30 p.m. at Eastsound Station 21.