OIFR Open House: Explore your community EMS, Fire & Rescue team
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Submitted by Orcas Island Fire & Rescue.
Discover volunteer opportunities
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue invites the community to Station 21 on Saturday, Oct. 4, from noon to 2 p.m. for an open house and recruitment event. Located at 45 Lavender Lane, this is your chance to meet the team that serves our island and to learn how you can join.
OIFR is actively recruiting new members for all divisions: fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, wildland firefighting and non-emergency support. Whether you’re interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter and/or EMT, learning specialized rescue skills, or joining one of our auxiliary divisions, our team will be on hand to answer questions about our upcoming fire, EMT and high school cadet academies, training opportunities, time commitments and how to get started.
Hands-on demonstrations and tours
Get up close with the equipment that keeps our island safe. Explore our ambulances and fire engines, try on SCBAs (breathing apparatus), watch our new electric vehicle extrication tools in action, see LifePak monitors demonstrate patient assessment, experience the power of hose operations and water delivery systems, check out high-angle rope rescue equipment, learn about wildland firefighting gear and tactics, test electric gurneys and vacuum splints, see patient transport devices like SKEDs and big-wheel mobilizers, and discover burrito-wraps and other specialized medical equipment.
Community partners join the event
The open house will feature OIFR partners, including the Department of Natural Resources, Island Air, LifeFlight Network and Airlift Northwest, with additional organizations expected to attend. This gives visitors a complete picture of how emergency services work together to protect our island community. No experience necessary – OIFR provides comprehensive training for all positions. Current members will share their experiences and explain the various ways community members can contribute, from front-line response to support roles.
For more information about volunteer opportunities or the open house, visit www.orcasfire.org or contact OIFR directly, 360-376-2331.
