Wednesday, April 2, 2014 • The Islands’ Sounder
LETTERS FROM 4 transports from the mudslide disaster in Snohomish County. As two paramedics and multiple firefighters and EMTs gained access, by both water and the very steep climb down the cliff, O’Brien requested a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter from Port Angeles. The expertise of the U.S. Coast Guard cannot be left out. The pilot skillfully placed their craft on a postage-stamp size of beach. Paramedic Bryce continued to care for the patient as our members loaded the patient safely into the orange chopper, hovering on two wheels the whole time. Care was continued in flight, straight to the landing pad at Harborview Trauma Center in Seattle. The Coast Guard crew later told Bryce that they could not believe we were primarily a volunteer department, and compared our team’s skills to those of a major urban rescue team. I am so sorry this tragedy occurred, and also humbled by our awesome team. Patrick Shepler Orcas Fire and Rescue
Vote no on levy When you vote no against the levy you are not voting against the fire department or the volunteers. The people of Orcas rejected two bond proposals for the school district because the majority felt that it was too much money but finally approved the third request. What we have now before the voters is pretty much the same amount of money that was requested 15 years ago and that levy was to build two new fire stations, purchase the West Sound station and update our vehicle fleet. So now we have a payroll and benefits of $1 million for 11 full-time employees, Lopez Island which has half the population operates with a part-time chief, part-time administrative assistant and three full-time firefighters/paramedics, their department is staffed with 39 volunteers. I have been attending the fire department meetings for 10 years now and I am very familiar with their budget and I feel that the department spending is too much. A few years ago we all objected to the position of assistant chief at the cost of $90,000 but that was forgotten last year and
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that position was filled at a cost of $114,000 (including benefits). We spent $27,000 for six months for an off-island CPA, without even trying for a better solution. The bookkeeping should go back to the county for a lot less money just the way we used to do it. One position received a $9,200 raise this year, money for food, cards, chocolates, pencils, etc and the list goes on. When you have a lot of money available, it is often too easy to spend at will. Recently the policy on meals and travel expenses was updated but only after the department was questioned about their spending habits. The cost for our volunteers is approximately $250,000 and we are all grateful for their dedication. The commissioners should hold the taxpayers’ interests in high regard and show prudent and effective use of resources entrusted to them. There is enough money in the budget and reserve to continued to operate until they come to us with a better proposal. Let’s have clear goals, realistic expectations and accountability. I do not support the current levy proposal. Pierrette Guimond Orcas Island
Vote yes on levy Ours is not the fire department of 15 years ago when the voters approved the current levy. It can never be. In 2014, the much higher level of service that we all now enjoy, the regulatory environment and inflation of the past 15 years have made the costs what they are. There is no fat here. The proposed replacement levy is actually less than the expiring levy. The district must remain accountable. Thus, rather than proposing a permanent levy or even another 15-year levy, it has opted to propose a 10-year levy so that the voters can again evaluate the performance and stewardship of the dis-
trict – sooner than later. Anyone who objectively studies the Orcas Fire and Rescue budget, who knows the quality and extent of the services it provides, and who understands what is really required to support these services will conclude that it is a bargain. I am writing this letter as a voter, taxpayer and concerned citizen of our island. I am not endorsing it as a fire commissioner. We must approve the fire/ EMS levy. Jim Coffin Orcas Island One of the joys of living on Orcas Island is knowing that, in case of emergency, we have dedicated, hard working, experienced, community-minded, accountable OIFR! Considering some of the opposition to the levy, we’ve observed that like any fine piece of equipment, the purchase and ownership of the Fire Department’s equipment are only the beginning. Maintenance and service are the answer to prolonged value and those costs increase with passing time. Join us in supporting the OIFR for our mutual support. VOTE YES FOR THE LEVY! Frank and Jan Loudin Eastsound With my attention and prayers focused on our neighbors in Snohomish County’s Oso community, I am urged to ask you to vote yes in supporting the fire levy. As I see the devastation of the slide and listen to the response team leaders speak about the recovery process, I am grateful for the Incident Command System and how paramount it is when a community is hit with an unforeseen horrific disaster. As a public health nurse, I participate in ongoing training in this system and understand its effectiveness in providing the best outcome for as many people as possible in a dire situation. Law enforcement, public health, fire and rescue departments all must
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be skilled, well equipped, and thoroughly confident in this system to be able to work together as efficiently as possible, across agencies. Continued training, strong leadership, and practice are needed to keep these coordinated skills sharp. Orcas Island is more remote than the Oso community, and any major disaster recovery resources from outside our county, would take additional time to reach us. Our usual island mode of rolling up our sleeves to individually help our neighbors would quickly be outmatched and exhausted. Passing the EMS fire levy will ensure our island has resources and trained responders, ready to serve us. Please join me in voting yes for the fire levy. Tamara Joyner Orcas Island Please join me in voting yes for the levy as proposed by Orcas Fire District 2. I believe our island’s highest priority is to provide for the health, safety and welfare of its people and property. Our elected fire commissioners are doing a good working with the chief and staff with their remarkable citizen volunteers. We island folks should be thankful and proud that many of our neighbors give their time and energy for extensive training and availability, 24/7. Working with the fire district on the Deer Harbor Station, I had a good look at the district’s management and problem solving ability. I also witnessed our exhausted volunteers recovering in the aftermath of the Olga area fires last year. Our life saving “fraternity” of firefighters and EMTs need all the tender loving care we can give them. Considering island growth rate and increased costs over the next decade, we need to renew the levy as recommended. Vote yes! Bill Trogdon Orcas Island
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and Rescue: its history, current practices, and future challenges. This effort, led by Art Lange, was thorough, objective, systematic. We found thoughtful, conscientious oversight by OIFR commissioners, and visionary leadership by Chief Kevin O’Brien. We found an agency committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and accountability. Most important, we found an organization whose members, from professional staff to self-sacrificing volunteers, literally save lives. Almost everyone on the island, it seems, has been touched directly or indirectly by OIFR’s prevention and education efforts, or by its firefighting or emergency medical services. We heard stories of islanders who, but for the rapid, skilled response of OIFR would have perished in a fire or succumbed to a life-threatening medical emergency. Others spoke of the agency’s enviable track record in saving property, and helping to protect and preserve our
beautiful and delicate environment. Evidence of the critical need for the upcoming levy lift may be found at www. supportoifr.com. Please join me in voting yes on Proposition One! Norm Stamper Eastsound We are proud to be part of the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue team. We represent the Orcas Island Volunteer Firefighter/ EMT Association, and the 64 community members who serve as EMTs and Firefighters. As volunteers, we rely on our professional staff to ensure we have the skills, equipment, and training needed to provide our community with the best possible outcome when there is an emergency. The staff is responsible for maintaining the organization and equipment in response ready mode, to care for the health and safety of the volunteers, and to maintain compliance with a multitude of Federal and State regulations. As volunteers,
SEE LETTERS, PAGE 7
Request for Catering Bids for OPALCO’s annual meeting May 3, 2014 aboard the ferry. Healthy lunch offerings should include sandwich options including a vegetarian offering to serve 500 people. Includes set-up, service and clean up. Caterer must be able to board at Friday Harbor at 5:50 a.m. OR Lopez at 6:35 a.m. OR Anacortes at 7:35 a.m. Submit your bid no later than April 4 to Bev Madan at bmadan@opalco.com or 183 Mt Baker Road, Eastsound 98245. Call 376-3549 for more information.
Recently, I was privileged to work with fellow residents in a comprehensive study of Orcas Island Fire
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