||| FROM DANNY WEIBLING for SAN JUAN PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 3911 |||
As President of San Juan Professional Firefighters Local 3911 (“Local”), I want to write a factual
statement to the public about the upcoming levy. I intend not to incite fear or create animosity
but to present facts. I have only worked on Orcas Island for over a year, but I believe a fresh
perspective is beneficial. I acknowledge this could come across as biased as I am employed by
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR), but I intend to be neutral in writing this letter and provide facts.
Our relationship as a Local with the OIFR administration and Fire Commissioners is strong. And
while I was not here during the past turmoil, I am happy to say that a lot of mending has
occurred between all parties. This is due to both sides working together. I have been a
professional paramedic and firefighter for over 20 years, and I have never seen this sort of a
working relationship between labor and management ever in my career.
Here are the reasons we need to have the fire levy lid lift and subsequent increase in revenue:
- We need more than the current rate and revenue from the fire levy to keep our current
staffing level. If a lid lift is not passed, OIFR cannot afford to MAINTAIN the current
staffing level. From a general perspective, the staffing level at OIFR is lower than what
you would normally find at any other fire department. The levy revenue is only allowed
a yearly increase of 1%, which doesn’t come even close to cost changes from inflation.
Initiative 747 has created this problem for all fire departments in the state. - Our apparatus fleet is in desperate need of replacement. OIFR has done a wonderful job
of budgeting with what funds are currently available, but we are at a point where we
need to have funding for a replacement plan. - If the levy is not passed, many tough decisions will need to be made due to a lack of
funding. These will include layoffs of full-time staff, including the 24/7 duty crew who
respond to emergencies when 911 is called. The current apparatus fleet will not be
replaced or adequately maintained, and stations will be shut down because of the lack
of working apparatus. We need full-time staff because our OIFR volunteers are only
sometimes available. They also have full-time employment, families, and other things
going on in their lives. We greatly appreciate it when they can respond and see their
value. - If layoffs occur, there is a potential that Advanced Life Support (ALS) services will be
affected. What does this mean? A paramedic is an ALS provider and can administer
lifesaving medications and perform lifesaving procedures (such as advanced airway,
cardiac monitoring and interpretation of these cardiac rhythms, and other advanced
medical procedures). I am afraid of the ramifications of disrupting or terminating these
services. Due to minimal medical services (i.e., no hospital emergency room), no ALS
services on this island could have catastrophic effects on sick patients.
In closing, as you read this, I hope you will keep an open mind about this upcoming levy vote.
While I am not being asked to pay more money in property taxes because I do not own
property here, I care about this community where I serve. The people I have met on this island are kind, compassionate, and caring. I see what brings folks here to belong to a community that
cares.
We have seen several of our posted signs and banners either taken down, thrown in the bushes or vandalized. Our local has spent thousands of dollars to have these signs printed and shipped here. To those engaging in this behavior, we ask you to kindly stop these actions and be respectful of our property.
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
Danny, in reading this.. it would seem that the ORCAS Island Volunteer Fire Department is a Past experience.. due to the articles you bring to the table.. that more professional staff is required to maintain coverage?? Is this correct?
It seems like the Volunteer model for Orcas is changing.
If that is the case, then the Community needs to understand this. If it’s Ancillary that Volunteers have a presence, due to Jobs, time restraints etc., to have adequate coverage for our Community at large.. a Minimum of X paid staff is required..
The Rolling stock is a whole different matter as well.
If in fact, we out of needs as a Community.. have less Volunteers that are available, to serve adequately then it looks like a paid department is unfolding.
That’s not a fault, as much as a product of current economics..
Possibly this is the reality check missing within our Community..
Theres always room for Volunteers, however, if a dedicated schedule cannot be maintained.. that’s not ideal either.
Let’s be 100% abundantly clear and truthful-
If the current Levy doesn’t pass, the Orcas Island Fire District will receive over 100% of the budgeted funds for the entirety of 2024 – in fact an increase on this years levy collections. The current levy fully funds the department for the next year. According to their published budget for the next fiscal year, Orcas Island Fire Departments staff, volunteers and apparatus requirements are not in danger of any radical cuts for well over a year.
The Board of Fire Commissioners has ample time to make the changes necessary to this levy request to make it acceptable to our community and can do so without compromising any of the key principles that make the department the shining star that it is on our community.
Vote no on this levy, and let’s bring the community together to work towards a common goal through open, comprehensive and thoughtful analysis.
Clyde, nobody in the fire department, career or volunteer, is proposing to change our current mix of career and volunteer staffing or the response model we use. The climate has improved significantly and the partnership and collaboration between volunteers and career staff is strong. We’re stronger together. From my perspective, the relationship between management and career/administrative staff has never been better. – it’s my understanding that some have asked whether an increase in career staff is needed/beneficial/desirable. I don’t anyone within the department sees net value in that. Our Latin motto is neighbors serving neighbors and it’s our core identity. Beyond that, our distributed geography, number of stations and resulting cost to career staff more would make that an absolute non-starter. This levy lid wouldn’t even scratch the surface of the cost of increasing career staffing.
The reason things seem hunky dory to Mr. Weibling right now is likely because OIFR and the board of commissioners ran any staff or volunteers who dared question their leadership out of the department. Instead we have a fire department full of yes men and women who have been hired based on their perceived ability to stay loyal to these two entities rather than based on their abilities or experience serving our community.
Hence this disastrous levy that has been placed on the ballot, which any functioning bureaucracy would have right away identified as being woeful half baked to roll out to the public.
Please vote no on the levy.
Funded thru 2024 plus a million in reserves. Vote NO. My escrow jumped 1500 bucks this year.
Danny
Thank you for your perspective, and more important for your service. As a Orcas resident I know that I will receive OIFR services in my time of need. As a paramedic myself in a small Oregon county I understand the challenges of providing ALS support where volunteers are critical and mutual aid is non-existent.
Without a doubt Orcas needs ALS personnel, at a fair price, which certainly is more than the present levy provides. It really comes to when and how much. Unfortunately, that while your statements are spot on, there are a few items that require being toned down a bit, in my opinion.
First, I would request a fellow professional paramedic not use words like “catastrophic”, as that is a bit more drama than is needed, and there is already more drama surrounding this levy. A minority of calls on Orcas are actually ones where without ALS services the situation might remotely be considered “catastrophic”. That said, appropriate ALS staffing is needed, just not the overemphasis that the word “catastrophic” has on the outcome of a levy.
Also, OIFR needs to stop painting an “all or none” picture. There should NOT be a fear factor that if the levy fails to pass in August, the next day services must be cut entirely. OIFR has a carry forward balance on the books today. A second levy, a community based levy, developed once the newly elected commissioners are on board, could be put on the ballot during 3 election periods in 2024, before the present levy runs out. If there is full community participation in a 2024 levy proposal it will certainly pass. All is not lost on election day in August. STOP.
Everyone, myself included, is saying a levy is needed. I actually believe OIFR will need a levy and a few (maybe even quite a few) bond measures for apparatus purchase. As far as the levy, this is obvious, as the existing one runs out at the end of 2024. The real question is how is the levy developed, structured and how much is actually needed as a levy vs. bonds. I believe having 5 duly elected commissioners, working with the community, will come to the correct answer, and will do so to prevent your “cataclysmic event”.
Please read Toni K’s letter to editor and you will see why a NO !! vote, is the right vote. In your position ”
As President of San Juan Professional Firefighters Local 3911 (“Local”)”, I would expect you to be behind the Levy.
As a 15 year+ volunteer Fire Fighter and a term as Fire Commissioner. We have plenty of time to get a new Levy, on the ballot. First let us get some permanent elected (not appointed) Commissioners and a new Chief to look at what we really need.
Im sorry, Did I read this right? Why is this passing even in question? Either support an organization that is dedicating their lives for yours …or don’t. But don’t get on your soap box without all the facts or understanding HOW FIRE DEPARTMENTS PUT OUT FIRES AND TAKE PATIENTS TO AND FROM THEIR HOMES TO THE CLINIC OR AIR TRANSPORT?! …. BRUH
This is not about service, which is great !
It is about the amount of money requested ?
Commissioners need to discuss a request for a reasonable increase with a term limit and public input.
The current levy expires at the end of 2024
We started 2023 with an excess of $ 1 million +
left over from 2022
No one argues that we need a levy. Just not THIS levy; the same one that didn’t work the first time and is flawed. Vote no. Don’t let the fear tactics or attempts to shame or guilt us, push us into voting yes before we understand things and have time for inclusion in the process. Voting no is not a vote against the department, the EMTs, and paramedics – as some are intimating. Voting no means we want more time, more inclusion and collaboration, more exploration of creative solutions, an elected-not-appointed board to make the decisions – along with us, the new chief, and the department – all in collaboration.
We have had enough of drama, bullying, and intimidation, and attempts to shame us for asking pertinent questions. We’ve had enough of seeing our volunteers and paid staff who questioned anything be driven out. The vote of no confidence was a sign that things were clearly bad. It’s better now, and we need to honor that with more thought and foresight about what would be tailored to our department’s needs. It’s time for healing and for making sure that what happened will never happen again. But it’s not time for naivete or for “letting bygones be bygones” and being fooled again; or worse, completely shut out of the Public process by commissioners who forgot that they also answer to the taxing district base, whether elected or appointed.
Together, we can do better. This is a creative and resourceful community. We do not have a shortfall through 2023. Let’s give this the time and thought it needs and deserves. Vote no on rushing this levy through.