by KEVIN O’BRIEN
Orcas Fire Chief
Orcas Fire and Rescue responded to the following notable alarms.
Personnel were dispatched to the Deer Point neighborhood on May 1 to conduct a search for an adult male missing overnight. He was found approximately 1,000 feet away from his home. The patient was treated for traumatic injuries and exposure. He was transported in stable condition to Eastsound Airport and transferred to Airlift Northwest for a flight to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.
On May 4, an adult male suffered injuries from a 20-foot fall from a roof. The patient was treated and transported in stable condition to Eastsound Airport and transferred to Airlift Northwest for a flight to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.
Multiple OIRF units responded to a rollover accident on Buck Mountain involving one vehicle on May 9. The driver was treated for possible traumatic injuries and transported in stable condition to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham.
In conjunction with the San Juan County Sheriff and Fire Marshal, OIFR conducted an investigation of a small fire at Orcas High School on May 13. The fire involvement was a small scorching on an exterior window of the building, which appeared to be not accidental and was extinguished prior to arrival of firefighters. Damage was judged to be approximately $100; the investigation remains open.
Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire in the Schaeffer Stretch neighborhood on May 14. The fire was quickly extinguished with minimal damage.Personnel responded to a ferry docked at Orcas landing for a report of a 12-year-old child experiencing a severe allergic reaction on May 23. The patient was treated, stabilized, and was able to continue travel to Anacortes with her family.
An adult male lost consciousness in the Deer Harbor neighborhood on May 24. The patient was treated and was able to stay on the island with a subsequent follow-up from his physician. OIFR assisted the San Juan County Sherriff’s Department in a late night search for two missing people in Moran State Park. The missing hikers were reported to be separated from their group on the Cascade Lake. Responders searched over five hours and the people were found in good medical condition near mid-way camp.
News and events
Fire and Rescue has been awarded a “Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response” grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to increase or maintain the number of trained “front line” firefighters. The grant spans the course of four years and provides up to $674,794 for improved volunteer responder benefits, protective equipment, and funds for volunteer recruitment and a retention coordinator.
OIFR welcomes new volunteers Annalies Schuh (EMT); Paul Carrick (EMT); Sean Haugen (FF/EMT); Anthony Simpson (FF/Recruit); Brandon Naffin (FF/Recruit); David Tribolet (FF/Recruit); Mike Page (EMT/Recruit) and Dimitri Stankevich (Logistics).
