Fire Chief’s Report: September 1 – 30, 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
Traumatic Fall September 4, 4:20 p.m. OIFR personnel responded with a paramedic and EMT’s to the Orcas Medical Center to transport a man who had taken a serious fall. After a preliminary evaluation by the medical center staff, it was determined that the man required further care. OIFR personnel transported the patient to the Eastsound Airport where he was transferred to Airlift Northwest for a flight to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.

Deceased Male September 6, 4:30 p.m. OIFR units were called to assist San Juan Co. Sheriff’s Officers in removing a deceased male from an off-trail camping site in Moran State Park. The San Juan County Coroner and Sheriff are investigating the incident.

Medical Alarm September 7, 11:10 p.m. OIFR responded to a medical alert activation in the Eastsound area. On arrival, they found a man in his 90’s who was experiencing shortness of breath. After emergency medical treatment on-scene, the patient’s condition was much improved and he did not wish to be taken off the island; he was able to remain at home to contact his own physician in the morning.

Allergic Reaction September 9, 1:05 p.m. OIFR responded to the Orcas Elementary School for a child with a possible allergic reaction. After treatment by the school nurse and OIFR personnel, the child’s medical condition stabilized and he was left in the custody of his father.

Injury on Turtleback September 11, 2:10 p.m. OIFR was dispatched to help a visitor to Orcas who had fallen while hiking on Turtleback Mountain. She was located by OIRF responders, stabilized, and transported to the Orcas Medical Center for x-rays.

Respiratory Problem September 14, 10:30 a.m. An Eastsound woman who had been treated for shortness of breath the day before called 911 to report that her symptoms had become worse. OIFR returned to her home and the woman again improved with treatment; she was then flown to Peace Island Hospital for further treatment due to underlying respiratory issues.

Stroke September 27, 12:00 p.m. An Orcas resident arrived at a friend’s house in Deer Harbor and recognized signs of a possible stroke. 911 was called and OIFR paramedics and EMT’s confirmed the possible diagnosis. Both Airlift Northwest and San Juan Medevac were unable to fly at the time due to weather limitations and a Navy Whidbey helicopter was used to transport the man to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham after initial stabilization by OIFR.

Rescue in Moran State Park September 28, 6:00 p.m. OIFR received a report of an Eastsound woman who had taken a fall while hiking in Moran State Park and was unable to walk out due to leg and ankle pain. A friend led responders to the woman and she was moved out to the trailhead using a specialized, trail rescue “big wheel” stretcher. After further evaluation and splinting, an appointment was made for her at the Orcas Medical Center.

Aggressive Patient September 30, 7:30 p.m. OIFR was called by a mental health worker to assist with an elderly man who had become aggressive and threatening. EMTs and paramedics were able to work with the man and safely transport him to the Eastsound airport for a San Juan Medevac flight to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham for a mental health evaluation and further care.

News and Events
Deer Harbor Station 24 Conditional Use Permit OIFR has been informed that the Conditional Use Permit which would allow public meetings in the main floor meeting room at Deer Harbor Station 24 has been approved. The District was notified that the request has been granted under the conditions that 14 parking spaces are provided and no more than 20 people may occupy the room at one time. OIFR continues to work to satisfy the permit requirements with the goal of opening the station for public meetings by November 1.

Courtesy Fire Safety Inspections As a courtesy to the community of Orcas Island, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (OIFR) began a pilot program of complimentary fire safety inspections. The program has been a success with inspector R.J. Myers inspecting island businesses and public buildings. Fire safety inspections reduce fire risk and help to keep the community safe and “in business.”

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 will begin 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.

Residential and Commercial Permitted Burning is Open Residential and commercial burning is now open with a valid permit. Residential permits cost $15.00 and may be purchased online at https://www.sjcfiremarshal.org or at the Eastsound Fire Hall 21 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Residential permits allow fires that are ten feet in diameter and are valid through June of 2015. Commercial permits cost $225 and are valid for 30 days. Commercial permits may only be purchased at the Eastsound Fire Hall.

International Roundtable on “Community Paramedicine” Health Care/EMS Conference From September 2 through 5, Assistant Chief Mik Preysz and Paramedic Scott Williams attended a conference in Reno, Nevada that focused on the improvement and interoperability of Emergency Medical and non-emergent medical care services. “Community Paramedicine” also known as “Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH)” are terms used to describe an approach to improve patient care by the melding and integration of Emergency Medical Services with local practitioners, clinics, and hospitals.

4 Common Causes Of Blindness, The Modern Medicine of Vision Friday, October 3, 2014, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., OIFR and Orcas Medical Foundation hosted Dr. Russell Van Gelder at the Eastsound Fire Hall where he spoke about the most common causes of vision loss in the United States.
Managing Your Golden Years With the Orcas Cares Partnership, OIFR participated in “Managing Your Golden Years” September 17 and 18 at the Orcas Senior Center where topics directed at seniors were presented including home safety, health, grief, life forms, CPR training, blood pressure checks and more.

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 Siding and Paint Project Work continues on maintaining Eastsound Station 21. After 12 years with the original paint job, Timberline Construction has been hired to paint the station and replace some failed siding on the south side of the building. They 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 the end of October.

Fire Recruit Academy OIFR began a fire recruit academy to train six new volunteers in the basic skills of firefighting. The academy will conclude in the middle of December. A hearty welcome and thank you to our new members: John Ahrens, Virginia Carrick, Paul Carrick (also and EMT with OIFR), Paul Kintzele, Tony Simpson, and David Tribolet.

Looking Forward
2015 Budget OIFR will begin our 2015 Budget public meetings in October at Eastsound Station 21. Below is the schedule of the process:

All meetings will take place at Station 21, 45 Lavender Lane, Eastsound, WA.

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