||| 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.


 

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