Fire Department Update from the Chief

From Orcas Fire and Rescue Chief Kevin O’Brien

# 2012- 10
September 12 through October 9, 2012

Calls for Service

This report:

Emergency Medical Service (EMS)  58
Fire/Other   17
Total 75

Year to Date:

Emergency Medical Service 458
Fire/Other  146
Total  604

2011 1/1/11-10/12/11 569
*Year to date responses have increased 6.2%

Fire Chief’s Goals and Priorities for 2012
• Execute the mission of OIFR through direction of the Board of Commissioners
• Establish and maintain fiscal accountability for all OIFR operations
• Effectively lead the people of OIFR
• Provide management and oversight for all operations, equipment, facilities, projects and programs for OIFR

•  Station 24 Completion
• Wildland Risk Analysis

• Immersion into the operations, culture, and customs of OIFR
• Foster open and clear communications with the Orcas Island Community and our surrounding partners in emergency response
• Evaluate the current operations and organizational structure
• Monitor and plan for the future

Notable Alarms
CPR: On September 24th we responded to the Glenwood Springs fish hatchery for the report of an unconscious and unresponsive male. On location, arriving units found an adult male in cardiac arrest with community members providing CPR. OIFR personnel continued CPR and provided other resuscitation measures. The patient responded favorably and he began spontaneous cardio pulmonary function. The patient was transferred to Airlift Northwest for transport to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.

Candle Fire: On October 8th, two engines, one aid unit, and six members responded to the Buckhorn neighborhood for the report of an occupied house fire. On location, personnel found a small fire that was fully extinguished. A small candle had started a fire on a desk in a home. The occupant, an adult male, put out the fire and sustained minor smoke inhalation. The man was treated by our EMS personnel on scene and he was determined to be in good health. There were no other injuries to citizens or responders and property damage was minimal.

Multiple Alarms: On the evening of October 6th we were dispatched to four incidents involving a total of 14 personnel, two ambulances, two engines, a rescue truck, and a command unit.The first was a motor vehicle accident in the West Beach area. Units on location found a damaged vehicle and a driver with minor injuries. During the incident, a tone out for an additional medical incident occurred for a patient in Eastsound. Our second ambulance staffed by EMT’s responded and provided patient care.

Just as units from the first motor vehicle incident began to clear, a third medical alarm was dispatched for a patient in the Deer Harbor area. The patient was transferred to Airlift Northwest for transport to Skagit Hospital in serious condition.

Immediately after clearing the Deer Harbor call, the Ambulance with our Paramedic responded to fourth incident at the Sheriff’s Sub-Station for a blood draw.

OIFR Welcomes Our Newest Member: In the evening of September 18th, we responded to the home of our Captain Chad Kimple and his wife Alicia to assist with the birth of their son Daniel. Alicia was transferred to Airlift Northwest for transport to Island Hospital where Daniel Grayson Kimple was born on the morning of September 19th at 8:25 a.m. Daniel was born one month early so he was transferred to Providence Hospital in Everett where he spent five days under observation. Like his Dad and big brother Isaiah, Daniel is a strong, smart,
healthy and handsome young man with a bright future and excellent parents! Welcome Daniel.

News and Events
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is currently recruiting for volunteer firefighters. The following is a timeline for recruitment:
• Saturday, October 27th 10:00 a.m. – noon – Open House at Station 21 (Dick Doty’s famous maple bars and doughnuts will be served!) All OIFR members and community are invited.
• November 14: Application Deadline
• December 12 and 13: Recruit Orientation

• January 5 through mid-April: Recruit class meets every Saturday from
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and every Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

We received news that we have received approval for a $40,000 grant for the prevention of wildland fires consistent with the San Juan County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The grant will be issued to OIFR to administer for the county.

Chief O’Brien lead an “All Hands Retreat” at Camp Orkila where members spent the evening “zipping” on the Camp Orkila Zipline, followed by a discussion of our operations.

Our captains hosted the annual “Captain’s Picknic” for all members at the ELC at Moran State Park.

Chief O’Brien taught a public health class for the junior class boys at Orcas Island High School.

Chief O’Brien attended a regional emergency management exercise in Tulalip, WA with other emergency responders including San Juan County Emergency Management, US Coast Guard, Skagit County Emergency Management and others. The drill simulated a large-scale spill of oil from a tank at the Shell Refinery in Anacortes.

Chief O’Brien attended meetings with the San Juan County Sheriff and Fire Chief’s to discuss marine operations.

We partnered with the Orcas Lions hosting a blood drive at Station 21.

Two teams from OIFR took second and third place at the First Annual Chili Cook off at the Village Green.

Looking Ahead
The Orcas Landing ferry dock will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 10/23/12 to 10/26/12. Our staff is developing contingency plans for all operations during the project.

On Saturday, October 27th from 10:00 a.m. until noon we will host a Volunteer Recruitment Open House at Station 21 (Dick Doty’s famous maple bars and doughnuts will be served!) All OIFR members and community are invited.

We are initiating an “in-house” promotional process for Station Lieutenant.

Currently, we have vacancies at Stations 22 and 27.