||| BY SUSAN MCBAIN, REPORTER |||
Two of Orcas Fire & Rescue’s battalion chiefs and paramedics recently retired, prompting resolutions of gratitude and respect from the Board of Fire Commissioners.
Patrick Shepler retired in October after 41 years as a firefighter and paramedic, the last 15 of those years with OIFR. During his service he became a battalion chief and chief paramedic. He completed nearly 3800 emergency calls while with OIFR. The commissioners honored him for his “contagious passion and dedicated service.”
Jeff Larsen retired in September. He began his career with OIFR in 2004 as a firefighter and paramedic, becoming a battalion chief in 2016. He completed more than 1500 emergency calls during his service. He was honored for “the highest standard of personal ethics, professional competency and commitment.”
Both of these men are heroes to the many islanders whom they helped and protected during their careers. The commissioners extended their thanks to both “on behalf of a grateful community.”
Two new paramedics have filled the open paramedic positions, Alex Conrad and Kasey Jo Wigley.
Congratulations on your retirement and Thank You for your service !
Compassion, dedication and service–Lifesavers! Thank you, and best retirement wishes.
Thank you, Susan, for such a wonderful reporting about two outstanding professionals. I’ve known them both during their whole tenure at OIFR and they will missed. God speed Patrick and Jeff , you’ve done well for orcas especially the hundreds…..thousands of persons that were in your care.
One of the most amazing benefits of living in this community is our EMS team. Patrick headed the teams that responded to my successive hip dislocations with professionalism and compassion. He helped my husband get to the ferry to meet me at the hospital in Bellingham, and even called me upon my return from air evac and treatment. The team of paraprofessional and volunteers he works with is also impressive and inspire calm and confidence. I believe that Jeff was on duty a year or so ago when I needed to be evaluated for what seemed to be a transient episode and could not get through to the Medical Center. He was enormously helpful. Sending our gratitude and best wishes to both these great pros.
Good fortune to my colleagues, mentors and friends. You will be missed.
Patrick has saved my life a couple of times, for which both Jean and I are eternally grateful.
Patrick, while I am sad to see you go, I hope that you will find peaceful rest in retirement.
And if we can help you, please let us know: We are very experienced retirees, and know more about being lazy than do most other people.