— from Tom Ritter —
There are many reasons why the voters should support Proposition One that funds Orcas Island Fire and Rescue and Emergency Medical Services. This organization has saved many lives and protected our properties by a team of professional staff and volunteers who are prepared to rapidly respond to all emergencies.
The number of emergency or 911 calls has increased 119% since 1999 and continues to grow each year. One of the factors causing this increase is a dramatic growth in the island population that is over age 65. When we consider the ability of the department to respond to a medical emergency, we must remember that we have skilled and trained paramedics on service 24 hours a day, and there are 35 certified emergency medical technicians who are volunteers. Of these professional volunteers, 20 are available for both emergency medical service and fire suppression. Please remember there are 29 volunteers who will respond to a fire and rescue crisis. These volunteers give considerable time to receive training that meets requirements established by the state. In addition, they require equipment that is reliable and will function under all conditions. The state mandates specific protective equipment. Consequently, the cost of pants, coats and helmets has increased 300% since 1998. The level of state mandated training has increased 130% since 1998. There are many other mandated expenses that have increased the cost of providing basic service.
The emergency medical program is critical to providing immediate treatment and transport to aircraft or boat that will convey a patient to a hospital. OIF&R Emergency Services has one of the best life-saving records in the county for cardiac resuscitation, a true test of rapid response.
The geography of Orcas Island requires seven fire stations, and each station must have a fire engine, and most have a water tender. It is necessary to have ambulances stationed at critical areas, and the five paramedics must have access to aid vehicles. To maintain these buildings and repair this equipment requires money to ensure reliable operations. The citizens, the staff, and the volunteers must have assurance that vehicles and equipment will function under all conditions.
Remote conditions on Orcas Island dictate that most emergency response must be conducted without assistance from other islands or the mainland.
Almost all of the basic operating expenses of the department must be paid by money received with your approval of this proposition. The current budget is fiscally responsible and enables OIF&R-EMS to continue to provide the excellent level of service we now receive.
Thank you for your support and approval of Proposition One. Your “Yes” vote will ensure we will continue to have a professional department with reliable equipment and the service of 67 volunteers. We all know one or several people who have benefited from the services of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue and Emergency Medical Services.
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I agree that our fire dept. needs to be maintained but I am curious as to just what the call numbers in real numbers not percentages. Since the call numbers are not as large as an urban dept. When using percentages on a small number to begin with it has a much more dramatic effect so I would rather be told the actual numbers and further more I would like to know how many calls actually result in a response. I support our fire dept. and really appreciate our volunteers but do not have the same confidence in the administration.
We built two fire stations and bought all new equipment with the last levy. This levy is the same size as the last one. The fire department is top heavy. The fire fighters are mostly working class volunteers. Once again we have the working class subsidizing the well off. Many people on this island can pay this levy request from petty cash. Maybe some upper staff should be let go and the rest of the paid staff can fill the gap. Since the Great Recession, private companies have been doing just that. If it is good enough for our capitalist overlords, it should be good enough for The Orcas Island Fire Department. In an earlier appeal by the Chief to open our wallets he was talking about replacing all the equipment on a 15 year cycle. As little as this equipment is used it is just getting broken in in 15.
It seems we hired the Rolls Royce Chief when maybe we should have been looking for the Cadillac version.
Vote NO. They will come to their senses and present a rational budget. We are all paying a price to live here in paradise. Perhaps the OIFD should get on board and share the pain a little.
By the way, I am a capitalist overlord to my employees. I mean no disrespect. In all fairness though, this budget when compared to Opalco looks tame. We pay 2&1/2 times the Kilowatt price as Seattle and our base rate is 4 times as high as Seattle. Talk about the poor subsidizing the rich!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe that the Fire Dept needs to tighten up their belts a little bit.
The cost for paid staff is one million dollar and about $250,000. for the volunteers. When I see excessive spending like $4,500. a month for a
CPA from off island, thousand of dollars on advertising and newsletter,
legal services, chocolates, greeting cards, off island shopping for food,
flying in chinese food from Bellingham. Are these expenditures that should
be paid for by the tax payers ?