Fire Department: On Task, On Time, Within Budget

By Ken Brown

The Orcas Island Fire District  (OIFD) Board of Fire Commissioners met Tuesday, May 10.

Rick Anda,  District Financial Officer, commented that the budget reflects $335,000, going into this next round of property tax collection.

Discussion then moved to the acquisition and continued construction of Fire Stations #22 (West Sound) and 24 (Deer Harbor). Commissioner  Jim Coffin stated the deal is wrapped up and the deed has been executed for station #22. For Station #24, the electrician has completed his work. Secondary line inspection has passed. The slabs have been poured and the contractors are wrapping up. Conditional occupancy will be sought from the County. This means Station #24 could be responding within a few weeks, Coffin said.

Commissioner Barbara Bedell spoke about the continued work on the 2011-2015 strategic plan. She will attend a workshop the first Saturday in June to learn about enhancing communication.

Bedell mentioned a thank-you note she sent on behalf of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue, thanking Victor Bodie and his family for generously leasing the Fire House in West Sound all these years at a greatly reduced rate. Resolution 2011-5 was presented by Anda, who said that this resolution clarifies where money will come from for the purchase of the West Sound Fire Station. $154,000 will be moved from the general fund to the capital fund.

In public comments, Pierrette Guimond asked about extra hours that were clocked for paramedics. She wanted to better understand why there was a discrepancy in time. Anda explained that the paramedics receive a flat rate of pay, no overtime. The extra hours reflect time spent on the job, not dollars charged. Guimond also asked if a public education specialist was still on the payroll, and District Chief Harris replied that Public Information Specialist Max Jones was still on the payroll.

In further business, the mileage rate for travel expenses was revised, to meet current standards which reflect the rise in gas prices.

In presenting a resolution to purchase a Cayou Valley Homeowner’s Association’s Water System Membership, Commissioner Clyde Duke described the design change needed to accommodate the Fire Department. This modification is estimated to cost between $5,000 and $7,000. The membership will run $15,000, which is on par with other water memberships. It was noted that the Fire Department will not be the managers of this water system. A water catchment method will be investigated along with landscaping options. The resolution passed.

In the public comment session, Dwight Guss offered kudos to the board for its exploration of the Cayou Valley Water System. It is able to supply 212 gallons of water per minute with 51 pounds of pressure. Guimond asked if the Deer Harbor Station was within budget. Commissioner Duke responded that construction is being done in phases. At this stage they are above the bid, but not above the budget.

Dwight Guss explained there were some aspects of construction that were best done now, as opposed to when the structure is completed. They are working with the best deal for the dollars.

The meeting came to a close with announcements: May 24-June 3 Chief Harris will be gone to Washington D.C.; May 30 the Business Office will be closed for Memorial Day; June 3, Orcas Center will dedicate the evening’s presentation to Orcas Fire and Rescue from 5:30 to 7 PM, and the public is invited for refreshments. The public meeting adjourned for a closed executive session on employee performance.