Communication to improve for emergency responders

by JENNIFER BRENNOCK

Sounder correspondent

Orcas Island Fire will install a new antenna on Mt. Constitution by mid-July to enhance emergency response communication on Orcas.

Due to the topography of the island, the current antenna does not provide emergency radio communication in many areas, including Deer Harbor, Olga, Doe Bay, and the ferry landing.

“I’m excited about this,” Fire Commissioner Clyde Duke said. “We’re getting the ballroom suite up there.”

At over 2400 feet high, Mt. Constitution is the highest point in the San Juan Islands.

“In general terms the higher antenna is the better reception, so we’re being offered a higher site, which is good for us,” OIFD Chief Mike Harris said.

“With the new antenna and the rigs it will be the best that we can do. It will be a huge improvement over what we have now,” said Lieutenant Paul Turner.

Pliny Keep, General Manager of Doe Bay Resort, said although much of his staff is first aid trained, he’s glad for the new antenna.

“We’re all for safety. It’s great to be able to have first responders and they need to communicate. The further you get out in the wilderness the more critical it is,” Keep said.

Lack of radio communication during emergency response calls has created dangerous situations for responders on Orcas in the recent past. On December 14, engines from Westsound and Eastsound responded to a structure fire in Deer Harbor at 10:52 p.m. All equipment had to proceed with chains on steep, ice-covered roads with heavy winds and 20 degree temperatures. At that fire 17 department personnel worked for 15 hours without radio communication.

EMT Bob Phalan spoke of the dangerous aspects of that fire.

“When I didn’t have radio communication where this fire was it was frigid,” he said. “I was up top with the ambulance and as soon as they went down there we had no communication. I can’t say enough what a dangerous situation it was. It is really an important issue. Number one if somebody got hurt you can’t let anybody know we need more help.”

Harris said installing a new antenna will reduce the amount of maintenance necessary compared to the current aging antenna. There are no companies available locally to do preventative maintenance.

Harris explained the new antenna is not a perfect solution. Although it will be the first time they will have coverage in Moran State Park, it may need adjustments to function properly. Spring Point will continue to be out of communication.

It is not a cell phone antenna, but an emergency radio antenna. A long term plan to improve comprehensive communication for the entire island is desired by emergency personnel.

“If we can improve cell phone coverage, as the new wave of technology allows, it doesn’t just help us. That helps everybody on the island,” Harris said.

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