||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE |||
Highlights from the 2024 Annual Report were delivered during the meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners on March 17, 2025.
2024 was a year of significant change and growth for OIFR. Personnel resignations and new hirings reshaped the department. Financial procedures for payments and reporting were revised and stabilized, and an enhanced program for public records compliance was implemented.
2024 laid the groundwork for strengthened leadership and staffing. National searches began for a permanent Fire Chief, Director of Finance and Administration, two new firefighter/paramedics and two new firefighter/EMTs. And volunteer recruitment efforts prioritized the traditionally underserved West Sound, Deer Harbor and Orcas Landing areas.
Additional highlights from 2024 include the passing of the short-term levy lift, with special thanks given to the citizen-led “Stability Group” for their efforts in this success. George Schermerhorn and Seth Ybarra were promoted to Captain, and Greg Sawyer was promoted to Battalion Chief / Safety Officer. OIFR created a significant partnership with WA State Department of Natural Resources for the Wildfire Ready Neighbors program, and OIFR received a FIIRE (Fire Injury and Illness Reduction) grant for the purchase of a new extractor.
OIFR responded to 1,109 calls in 2024. 78% were for rescue and medical emergencies. Over 200 community members were trained in CPR/AED and First Aid, and the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Team continued to provide long term, critical care for islanders. OIFR participated in over 40 fire and safety prevention events, including school visits, station tours, engine tours and community parades.
On March 1, 2025 OIFR held an appreciation banquet to celebrate and honor members for their work in 2024. The top 10 responders for 2024 were Kim Ihlenfeldt, Mark Ellison, Rita Harvey, Dimitri Stankevich, Kat Barnard, Liam Nutt, Bob Nutt, Brett McFarland, Jill Sherman and Dave Cooke. Combined they had 1,617 call responses!
The following awards were voted on by the members:
- EMS Provider of the Year: Kim Ihlenfeldt
- Most Inspirational of the Year: Jill Sherman and Chad Kimple
- Fire Service Provider of the Year: Ted McKey
- Officer of the Year: Greg Sawyer
- Service Behind the Scenes Award: Heather Morelli and Rita Harvey
- Station of the Year: Station 23
- Member/Volunteer of the Year: Dave Cook
- Chief Kimple delivered the Fire Chief’s Special Award to Kat Barnard and two Letters of Recognition for Outstanding Dedication and Service to Captain Danny Weibling and Captain John Hall.
The full 2024 Annual Report may be found by clicking the link and on the OIFR website: www.orcasfire.org.
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It is refreshing and reassuring to read that OIFR is finally functioning well!
The appointment of Chad Kimple as the permanent Fire Chief shows that wonderful good things really DO happen! Chief Kimple has certainly shown that he deserves to hold this position, for the benefit of us all.
My congratulations to each of the award winners, and my great appreciation to every member of the staff and volunteers for your dedication and commitment to helping all of us, whenever we need you.
On a personal note, during the past 20 years, I have been extremely grateful for the dozen times or so, when those heroic First Responders have come to our home to provide immediate care for my husband, myself, and our tenant. No matter what internal turmoil was going on with OIFR, they were always here for us. I now hope, for their sake too, that the internal culture of OIFR will reflect the all around mutual support and respect that they deserve.
Very nice Jean. I too support Chief Kimple wholeheartedly., as well as of course Assistant Chief Dimitri Stankevich and their experienced and thoughtful leadership.
Yes the past year was a time of angst and turmoil and through some hard work from volunteer interested parties, and our new elected commissioners and current fire fighters, EMT’s and Medics, and OIFR staff, positive progress has been obtained …. Thank you all!
To receive notification of OIFD Special and Regular meetings with the agenda submit a request to be added to the email list. Send an email to
bofc@orcasfire.org There is also a zoom link posted on the website.
Zoom :
By phone: 253-215-8782 / Meeting ID: 816 8906 8095 / Passcode: 853560
Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81689068095?pwd=1xQchsF7YEmdi7aFOJ9UBxFdeZyBwr
The above link on the website will take you to the meeting.
Currently there is posted at the Fire Hall:
SPECIAL MEETING on Friday -04/25/2025 at 5:30pm at 45 Lavender Lane Eastsound, WA ( Station 2 )
with the following agenda items:
Capital Levy or Bond Election Timing // Possible Action
Capital Funding Mechanism Discussion of Next Steps // Possible Action
Election Preparation, Discussion of Next Steps//Possible Action
Meeting Announcements
Dear Community Members stay engaged and be informed.