||| FROM HILARY CANTY |||
I hope you will join me and vote for Patrick Shepler for the Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) Board of Fire Commissioners.
Patrick recently retired from a career of service as a paramedic. His deep understanding of the department and the needs of the community gives him the breadth of knowledge and skill needed to develop strategies to strengthen OIFR and ensure we have the resources, both human and financial, to continue to provide
excellent service.
Hillary, not only is his presence needed, he would bring a vast knowledge of Historical data, which is so important with any Board or Commission.
He has the respect of the Volunteers, Community and the calm demeanor that Allows things to work.
As a past Volunteer and Commissioner , I had the opportunity to work with Patrick. He was President of the Union and his leadership thru his whole career as Paramedic was amazing. He was always the high count responder on calls..
In two emergency situations in 2020, I was fortunate to have the great OIFR EMT team of staff paramedics and volunteers led by Patrick Shepler respond. They evaluated my situation, explained their conclusion, calming and transferring me to air evac. I even received a call from Patrick checking up on me the following day. I’m persuaded by how well that team worked together with Patrick’s leadership, Patrick makes perfect sense as a Fire Commissioner to address the issues that seem to have arisen between the Commission and the Department..
Yes, I, too credit Patrick Shepler with saving my life as he kept instructing me to keep coughing as I was loaded into the medic rig. That would hopefully keep oxygen flowing to my brain, he stressed. It wasn’t until the next day, when I heard my ICU Nurse tell Shepler over the phone that I had a massive pulmonary embolism that I realized the full extent of what had happened. Shepler and his crew had given me no indication that it was that serious, having remained encouraging and even jovial during the incident. And I was almost in tears in the ICU, learning that Shepler had called St. Joe’s to check on my progress.
Agreeing with Hillary and Clyde, Patrick’s current working knowledge of OIFR people, policies and state of the department is a definite asset to the community and should be considered pertinent in his selection as the next Commissioner. His connection with the Orcas community is heartfelt and appreciated by many on the island, that can say “Thank You” for the medical care and life saving service he has provided. Often overlooked is the word “volunteer” when it comes to success in organizations and agencies such as OIFR. Being able to be a leader in the mixed cadre of volunteers and paid personnel takes special skills and understanding to get things done both short and long term. Patrick has that skillset. Becoming a Commissioner is Patrick’s next logical step and provides the greatest benefit to OIFR and Orcas Island.
As a former volunteer at OIFR, a member of the BoC directed, Chief search committee, having written the “pro” statement for the ballot to increase the BoC members from three to five, and reviewing the current BoC members; in the upcoming election I see only one choice. Support and Vote for Patrick Shepler for Fire Commissioner.