— from Diane Berreth —

My husband and I are still on Orcas today because of our proactive Fire Department. Several summers ago the Fire Department offered a CPR refresher program at the farmers market. With their encouragement, I learned the new CPR protocol.

I did not imagine at the time that I would be called on to use those skills to save my own husband’s life. But when David had a cardiac arrest, administering CPR sustained him until the Rochester, MN, EMTs arrived to take over.

Our story is one of many on this special island; emergencies can happen to anyone. The Fire Department is the first line of defense for all of us, young and old alike. We support the OIFR levy lid lift because it supports all of our lives. We are grateful to the Department’s staff and volunteers, and ask you to join us in voting to sustain all their fine work.