Friday Update February 5, 2010
05/02/10 14:19 Filed in: Friday
Update
FRIDAY UPDATE FEBRUARY 5, 2010
FYI - There will be a 30-mile footrace on Saturday, Feb 6, in Moran State Park area. There is reported to be 300 participants so it goes with out saying that we may need to be on alert for possible trail rescues.
DIVISION REPORTSPERSONNELWestside FF/FR Perry Pruett – LOA
Central FF/EMT Dylan Wachtel - LOA
Westside John Howard - LOA
DRILLS / TRAINING / MEETINGS / FYIsFEB DRILLS
Mon 8 - 7pm Association Meeting
Tues 9 - 7:30pm BOFC
Thurs 11 - Fire Division Drill
Sat 13 – EVDT training
Tues 16 – 7 pm CPR Recertification Make-up
Thurs 18 - Rescue Division Drill: Vehicle Crash Stabilization
Tues 23 – 7:30pm BOFC
Thurs 25 – 7 – 10pm Fire Company Evolutions
IMPORTANT NOTE
DISTRICT WEBSITE is back up and running for now. There will soon be a change in sites! Let Maxx know if you have suggestions, concerns or ideas!
FACEBOOK FANS. We now have a “Page” on Facebook. Search under Orcas Island Fire & Rescue. We are happy to announce that as of noon on Friday, we already have 137 “fans” watching the site. For those of you who do not “do” face book, our page talks about what’s happening, what happened and comments on both from the audience.
OPERATIONS – VAL HARRIS6 MISSING (Green) ZOLL AEDs Come out come out where ever you are! I am down to these last units for the annual check up. Please check your stations.
PER DIEM MEDIC THIS WEEKEND is our own Tom Ardavany. We are a bit short handed on the fire side so please don’t hesitate to respond.
HEALTH & WELLNESS – MIK PREYSZ
Reminder to all that blood draws for those who qualify will be held on
Monday, February 8, Tuesday the 9th and Wednesday February 10th if needed. These will be by appointment which we will call you to set up at the
beginning of next week we will also let you know if it needs to be a 12hr
fasting draw.
LifeTek Assessments will begin Wednesday March 3 thru Saturday March 6thwith appointments and will pretty much like we did last year.
Please review Friday update of 01/22/10 for more detailed description.
CELL PHONES – CHIEF HARRIS
This is a copy of the County Cell Phone Ordinance Resolution. At the end of this update an informational letter, answering the questions, concerns and mis-information about cell phone use in our county.
SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 2
RESOLUTION 2010-1
RE: County Cell Phone Ordinance
WHEREAS, the Commissioners of San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2 / Orcas Island Fire & Rescue have a legal and moral responsibility to strive for the continued improvement of emergency services on Orcas Island, and
Whereas San Juan County Government is considering changes to an ordinance regarding cell phone infrastructure, and
Whereas the Commissioners believe that the new service level created by these necessary changes will result in lives saved by improving our response, and
Whereas Orcas fire has previously determined that our emergency two way radio system needs improvements, and
Whereas the District participated in a radio system improvement study that proved such improvements would be cost prohibitive, and
Whereas recent cell phone technology has not only reduced the need for high energy cell towers but can also provide for most of the improvements called for in the study, and
Whereas the cell phone companies may provide the infrastructure required as a cost of doing business and thus avoid using tax dollars, and
Whereas the danger from radiation from the older technology cell towers as well as the damage to our natural aesthetics is not what we are proposing or endorsing, and
Whereas the improvements that we seek will also benefit the community on a daily basis, and improve our “reverse 911” emergency notification system, and
Whereas many Orcas Citizens have discontinued their land line phones in favor of cell phones to reduce their expenses in these tough economic times, and
Whereas removing these regulations from the County Comprehensive Plan and placing them in the Uniform Development Plan will allow more opportunities for the public to comment on them.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners does hereby support such changes as are required to allow for this safe, modern technology outlined above as well as the placement of all cell phone ordinances into the Uniform Development Plan.
SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 2
RESOLUTION 2010-1
ADOPTED at a meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of San Juan Fire Protection District No. 2 on this 12th day of January, 2010.
MEDIA – MAXX JONES
Press Release - Annual Awards Banquet for 2009
Orcas Island’s Emergency Responders gathered for their Annual Awards Banquet January 30 to honor each other in the District’s 62 year of service. The following awards were given and a lovely evening was enjoyed by members and their families.
Service Awards:
• 5 Year Pin:
• Lt. Jason Madeiros
• Chief Mike Harris
• Capt. Paramedic Jeff Larsen
10 year Pin:
• Capt. Rick Anda
• EMT Hilary Canty
• EMT Kari Schuh
• EMT Lance Evans
• Lt. Rich Harvey
• EMT Gulliver Rankin
• FF/EMT Jim Scheib
15 Year Pin - Commissioner Clyde Duke (Past FF)
20 Year Pin - FF Mike Macksey
30 Year Pin - Lt. Jeff Jones (he is actually at 32 years 4 months, longest serving on the department)
District Awards:
Special Awards:
Date: 01 February 2010
To: Rita Harvey & Banquet Staff
From: Jim Coffin, Chair, SJCFPD#2 Board of Commissioners
Re: Letter of Appreciation
It is remarkable that in a period of financial strain our banquet looked and tasted as grand as any we can remember! We owe a debt of thanks to you and your helpers for an evening that was truly needed and appropriately sized. The fast pace of the awards kept even our younger members attention and the many different presenters made us keep wondering what was next!
An awards ceremony is always a dance between fine lines. Trying to make our collective admiration known to those who deserve it while making sure those who also gave know they are appreciated. It is a difficult task at best. In the end, it was the meaningful remarks made by all that focused that spotlight of recognition and appreciation so delicately without neglecting the team, that came through loud and clear!
In my opinion, the 2009 Annual Awards would not have been as successful without two elements. First would have to be the able handling of the award ceremonies by D/C Mik Preysz and second would be the inspiration provided by OUR doctor, Mike “Sully” Sullivan. He made us feel that we are within reach of being the best of the best in our service and challenged us to not be content with the “Status Quo”.
Therefore, on behalf of the Board, I want to thank you and the many members who helped plan and implement the 2009 Awards Banquet and Annual Association Meeting. The event had exactly the right amount of praise and recognition for those who served punctuated by good-hearted humor and topped by palpable camaraderie. It is not by accident that your efforts produced such an event and it will be remembered!
Sincerely- Jim Coffin
FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER:
We are in the final stages of construction on the 8 homes and still need help.Final stages include: Final grading and top soil, Fences, Decking, Gable End’sCarpet is being installed now and the interiors or almost at the stage were we can lock the door and concentrate on the exterior finish. I will be having a work party scheduled for February 27th from 9-5 followed by BBQ, Drinks and a campfire. If you can attend please drop me an email @ chadk@orcasfire.org Thank you so much! - Chad Kimple
(continued)
CELL PHONES – CHIEF HARRIS (Letter)
11 January 2010
Ms. Mindy Kayl,
Thank you for sharing the fair and, for the most part, balanced letter regarding cell phones and the proposed revision to the cell phone ordinance. I will be submitting the following letter to The Sounder. Thanks and please contact me in the future if you want/need an explanation of what and why we are doing something. Regardless of what Pierrette Guimond thinks, we are responsible and reasonable people here. Finally, I have considered asking that the cell phone coverage issue be placed on the ballot similar to the fireworks issue. As a referendum it would provide for less “theater” and more information. It would afford us the time to get “experts” from both sides and have some good old-fashioned public debate. However, I believe the data speaks for itself and only if we are at a stalemate should we spend yet more time debating the issue. I’ll bet you would agree that the majority wants better cell service. And, if the old tech cell towers are not being considered is their really any debate? The County Council is considering an ordinance to adjust the rules regarding the placement of cell antennas. I am writing to ask for your support in changing the ordinance to allow better coverage through safe, modern technology. Please let me explain why emergency services members passionately want and need this new ordinance.
We want to serve you better. We also know that this new service level will help us save lives. How do we know this? Orcas Island has the most rugged terrain in San Juan County. Radio signals (and cell phone signals) are line of sight. What improves cell signal on Lopez, Shaw etc. will only marginally improve Orcas. The County Dept. of Emergency Management has already done a study to research a system to serve the entire county. The costs of that system were prohibitive. Cell phones offer us another way to create this system while improving the coverage for all our citizens. How? Radio signals can be carried on cell signals. Cell “towers” are no longer needed for the most part. In hilly terrain a system of repeater antennae can be set up for far less cost. These antennae are extremely unobtrusive. The San Juan Co. Sheriff experimented with a similar system in 2007 and set up a data system that reached all parts of Orcas successfully. Nobody ever noticed it!
As your Fire Chief, I know that people have died and will continue to suffer life-threatening circumstances on Orcas due to our poor cell coverage. Those of us that work on infrastructure would be negligent if we did not pursue the best possible service that we know we can provide for you. We are a mobile society. We need better, consistent service to protect our way of life. At this time we know we can improve cell coverage dramatically and it will result in faster response of emergency services. Emergency services are asking everyone to consider that and evaluate whether you would be safer if coverage were improved. I submit that the answer is yes, of course we will!
What are the benefits of an improved cell phone system?
1. Enhance the signal for everyone with everyday communications and emergency communications when they need it. Remember, checking on a sick child, notifying work of a problem, etc., are everyday needs, Personal emergencies are not all about 911.
2. Reduce the need to keep improving emergency radio systems. This is a tax issue. Let the cell phone folks improve our emergency radio systems. Cell signals carry radio signals!
3. Cell phone signals will improve our member’s ability to be dispatched effectively. This will also clear the radio airwaves for vital communications.
4. Allow emergency services to create a system of emergency notification using cell and landlines. Evacuations or major emergency messages, when needed, will be immediately provided to our residents by a system of reverse 911. This system can only be partially effective with landlines alone.
What are the concerns about improving our cell phone coverage?
1. Radiation from the antenna.
This has not been demonstrated to me to be an issue. Radiation from the cell phone itself (next to your head) poses a greater threat. Yet people, including me, continue to use them and that is our choice. However, in the 20+ years that cell phones have been in common use we have yet to prove a significant threat. Let me please remind you; We are not talking about erecting the old, high energy antennas here!
2. Harm to the aesthetics of our natural environment by constructing new cell phone towers.
This is a non-issue. First, the sight impact has already happened and added to many times over on Mt. Constitution. Cell towers are not needed to fix our problem. Small unobtrusive, very low energy repeater antennas are the current technology.
3. Removing the ordinance from the County Comprehensive Plan to the Uniform Development Code.
This make sense to me. That would provide more opportunity to amend it. This means anyone with concerns has regularly recurring forums to be heard.
Finally, I am responsible for serving you as best I can and obtaining the proper resources is a part of that service. Our current emergency radio system needs serious and expensive upgrades. I do not want to spend tax dollars to do that when the cell companies will do it for us. When the improvements are made you will not be able to see the system upgrades but all of us will benefit. That is truly a win, win situation. If you support these improvements please send the county council a copy of this letter with the words “I agree” with your printed name and signature and address.
Thank you for being opened minded about this issue. Mike Harris, Chief, OIF&R
FYI - There will be a 30-mile footrace on Saturday, Feb 6, in Moran State Park area. There is reported to be 300 participants so it goes with out saying that we may need to be on alert for possible trail rescues.
DIVISION REPORTSPERSONNELWestside FF/FR Perry Pruett – LOA
Central FF/EMT Dylan Wachtel - LOA
Westside John Howard - LOA
DRILLS / TRAINING / MEETINGS / FYIsFEB DRILLS
Mon 8 - 7pm Association Meeting
Tues 9 - 7:30pm BOFC
Thurs 11 - Fire Division Drill
Sat 13 – EVDT training
Tues 16 – 7 pm CPR Recertification Make-up
Thurs 18 - Rescue Division Drill: Vehicle Crash Stabilization
Tues 23 – 7:30pm BOFC
Thurs 25 – 7 – 10pm Fire Company Evolutions
IMPORTANT NOTE
DISTRICT WEBSITE is back up and running for now. There will soon be a change in sites! Let Maxx know if you have suggestions, concerns or ideas!
FACEBOOK FANS. We now have a “Page” on Facebook. Search under Orcas Island Fire & Rescue. We are happy to announce that as of noon on Friday, we already have 137 “fans” watching the site. For those of you who do not “do” face book, our page talks about what’s happening, what happened and comments on both from the audience.
OPERATIONS – VAL HARRIS6 MISSING (Green) ZOLL AEDs Come out come out where ever you are! I am down to these last units for the annual check up. Please check your stations.
PER DIEM MEDIC THIS WEEKEND is our own Tom Ardavany. We are a bit short handed on the fire side so please don’t hesitate to respond.
HEALTH & WELLNESS – MIK PREYSZ
Reminder to all that blood draws for those who qualify will be held on
Monday, February 8, Tuesday the 9th and Wednesday February 10th if needed. These will be by appointment which we will call you to set up at the
beginning of next week we will also let you know if it needs to be a 12hr
fasting draw.
LifeTek Assessments will begin Wednesday March 3 thru Saturday March 6thwith appointments and will pretty much like we did last year.
Please review Friday update of 01/22/10 for more detailed description.
CELL PHONES – CHIEF HARRIS
This is a copy of the County Cell Phone Ordinance Resolution. At the end of this update an informational letter, answering the questions, concerns and mis-information about cell phone use in our county.
SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 2
RESOLUTION 2010-1
RE: County Cell Phone Ordinance
WHEREAS, the Commissioners of San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2 / Orcas Island Fire & Rescue have a legal and moral responsibility to strive for the continued improvement of emergency services on Orcas Island, and
Whereas San Juan County Government is considering changes to an ordinance regarding cell phone infrastructure, and
Whereas the Commissioners believe that the new service level created by these necessary changes will result in lives saved by improving our response, and
Whereas Orcas fire has previously determined that our emergency two way radio system needs improvements, and
Whereas the District participated in a radio system improvement study that proved such improvements would be cost prohibitive, and
Whereas recent cell phone technology has not only reduced the need for high energy cell towers but can also provide for most of the improvements called for in the study, and
Whereas the cell phone companies may provide the infrastructure required as a cost of doing business and thus avoid using tax dollars, and
Whereas the danger from radiation from the older technology cell towers as well as the damage to our natural aesthetics is not what we are proposing or endorsing, and
Whereas the improvements that we seek will also benefit the community on a daily basis, and improve our “reverse 911” emergency notification system, and
Whereas many Orcas Citizens have discontinued their land line phones in favor of cell phones to reduce their expenses in these tough economic times, and
Whereas removing these regulations from the County Comprehensive Plan and placing them in the Uniform Development Plan will allow more opportunities for the public to comment on them.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners does hereby support such changes as are required to allow for this safe, modern technology outlined above as well as the placement of all cell phone ordinances into the Uniform Development Plan.
SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO. 2
RESOLUTION 2010-1
ADOPTED at a meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of San Juan Fire Protection District No. 2 on this 12th day of January, 2010.
MEDIA – MAXX JONES
Press Release - Annual Awards Banquet for 2009
Orcas Island’s Emergency Responders gathered for their Annual Awards Banquet January 30 to honor each other in the District’s 62 year of service. The following awards were given and a lovely evening was enjoyed by members and their families.
Service Awards:
• 5 Year Pin:
• Lt. Jason Madeiros
• Chief Mike Harris
• Capt. Paramedic Jeff Larsen
10 year Pin:
• Capt. Rick Anda
• EMT Hilary Canty
• EMT Kari Schuh
• EMT Lance Evans
• Lt. Rich Harvey
• EMT Gulliver Rankin
• FF/EMT Jim Scheib
15 Year Pin - Commissioner Clyde Duke (Past FF)
20 Year Pin - FF Mike Macksey
30 Year Pin - Lt. Jeff Jones (he is actually at 32 years 4 months, longest serving on the department)
District Awards:
- EMS Provider of the Year – FF/EMT George Schermerhorn
- Fire Service Provider of the Year – Lt. Jeff Jones
- Officer of the Year – Capt 27 Rick Anda
- Station of the Year – Deer Harbor Station 24
- Most Inspirational Member of the Year – Division Chief Paramedic Patrick Shepler
- Volunteer of the Year – George Schermerhorn
- Mechanic’s Choice Award – Division Chief Paramedic Mik Preysz
- Chief’s Award – Dwight Guss
Special Awards:
- Health Responder – EMT Heather Thomas for her amazing dedication to fitness
- Reliable Responder – FF/EMT Dean Dougherty for always there to respond
- Heritage Club Award: Past EMT/Firefighter Ravin Williams & EMT Tom Carter
- Citizen of the Year: Dawn Atkinson for learning CPR and saving her husband’s life
- Golden Hour Award for Cardiac Save Dec 14th: Capt. Paramedic Jeff Larsen and Team
- The Maxx Award: Lt. Jeff Jones for attention to details, granting wishes and being there when somebody needed
- Service Behind the Scene: FF/EMT Dylan Wachtel for the hours of research and training instruction.
- Above & Beyond: Lt. Paul Turner
- Dr. Sullivan’s Award: To the Team who Responded to the Cardiac Dec. 14th: FF/EMT Owen Cheevers, EMT Cameron Fralick, Capt. Rita Harvey, Lt. Jeff Jones, Capt. Maxx Jones, Lt. Chad Kimple, Capt. Paramedic Jeff Larsen, Lt. Jason Madeiros, FF Sherri Madeiros, EMT Bob Phalan and FF/EMT George Schermerhorn.
Date: 01 February 2010
To: Rita Harvey & Banquet Staff
From: Jim Coffin, Chair, SJCFPD#2 Board of Commissioners
Re: Letter of Appreciation
It is remarkable that in a period of financial strain our banquet looked and tasted as grand as any we can remember! We owe a debt of thanks to you and your helpers for an evening that was truly needed and appropriately sized. The fast pace of the awards kept even our younger members attention and the many different presenters made us keep wondering what was next!
An awards ceremony is always a dance between fine lines. Trying to make our collective admiration known to those who deserve it while making sure those who also gave know they are appreciated. It is a difficult task at best. In the end, it was the meaningful remarks made by all that focused that spotlight of recognition and appreciation so delicately without neglecting the team, that came through loud and clear!
In my opinion, the 2009 Annual Awards would not have been as successful without two elements. First would have to be the able handling of the award ceremonies by D/C Mik Preysz and second would be the inspiration provided by OUR doctor, Mike “Sully” Sullivan. He made us feel that we are within reach of being the best of the best in our service and challenged us to not be content with the “Status Quo”.
Therefore, on behalf of the Board, I want to thank you and the many members who helped plan and implement the 2009 Awards Banquet and Annual Association Meeting. The event had exactly the right amount of praise and recognition for those who served punctuated by good-hearted humor and topped by palpable camaraderie. It is not by accident that your efforts produced such an event and it will be remembered!
Sincerely- Jim Coffin
FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER:
We are in the final stages of construction on the 8 homes and still need help.Final stages include: Final grading and top soil, Fences, Decking, Gable End’sCarpet is being installed now and the interiors or almost at the stage were we can lock the door and concentrate on the exterior finish. I will be having a work party scheduled for February 27th from 9-5 followed by BBQ, Drinks and a campfire. If you can attend please drop me an email @ chadk@orcasfire.org Thank you so much! - Chad Kimple
(continued)
CELL PHONES – CHIEF HARRIS (Letter)
11 January 2010
Ms. Mindy Kayl,
Thank you for sharing the fair and, for the most part, balanced letter regarding cell phones and the proposed revision to the cell phone ordinance. I will be submitting the following letter to The Sounder. Thanks and please contact me in the future if you want/need an explanation of what and why we are doing something. Regardless of what Pierrette Guimond thinks, we are responsible and reasonable people here. Finally, I have considered asking that the cell phone coverage issue be placed on the ballot similar to the fireworks issue. As a referendum it would provide for less “theater” and more information. It would afford us the time to get “experts” from both sides and have some good old-fashioned public debate. However, I believe the data speaks for itself and only if we are at a stalemate should we spend yet more time debating the issue. I’ll bet you would agree that the majority wants better cell service. And, if the old tech cell towers are not being considered is their really any debate? The County Council is considering an ordinance to adjust the rules regarding the placement of cell antennas. I am writing to ask for your support in changing the ordinance to allow better coverage through safe, modern technology. Please let me explain why emergency services members passionately want and need this new ordinance.
We want to serve you better. We also know that this new service level will help us save lives. How do we know this? Orcas Island has the most rugged terrain in San Juan County. Radio signals (and cell phone signals) are line of sight. What improves cell signal on Lopez, Shaw etc. will only marginally improve Orcas. The County Dept. of Emergency Management has already done a study to research a system to serve the entire county. The costs of that system were prohibitive. Cell phones offer us another way to create this system while improving the coverage for all our citizens. How? Radio signals can be carried on cell signals. Cell “towers” are no longer needed for the most part. In hilly terrain a system of repeater antennae can be set up for far less cost. These antennae are extremely unobtrusive. The San Juan Co. Sheriff experimented with a similar system in 2007 and set up a data system that reached all parts of Orcas successfully. Nobody ever noticed it!
As your Fire Chief, I know that people have died and will continue to suffer life-threatening circumstances on Orcas due to our poor cell coverage. Those of us that work on infrastructure would be negligent if we did not pursue the best possible service that we know we can provide for you. We are a mobile society. We need better, consistent service to protect our way of life. At this time we know we can improve cell coverage dramatically and it will result in faster response of emergency services. Emergency services are asking everyone to consider that and evaluate whether you would be safer if coverage were improved. I submit that the answer is yes, of course we will!
What are the benefits of an improved cell phone system?
1. Enhance the signal for everyone with everyday communications and emergency communications when they need it. Remember, checking on a sick child, notifying work of a problem, etc., are everyday needs, Personal emergencies are not all about 911.
2. Reduce the need to keep improving emergency radio systems. This is a tax issue. Let the cell phone folks improve our emergency radio systems. Cell signals carry radio signals!
3. Cell phone signals will improve our member’s ability to be dispatched effectively. This will also clear the radio airwaves for vital communications.
4. Allow emergency services to create a system of emergency notification using cell and landlines. Evacuations or major emergency messages, when needed, will be immediately provided to our residents by a system of reverse 911. This system can only be partially effective with landlines alone.
What are the concerns about improving our cell phone coverage?
1. Radiation from the antenna.
This has not been demonstrated to me to be an issue. Radiation from the cell phone itself (next to your head) poses a greater threat. Yet people, including me, continue to use them and that is our choice. However, in the 20+ years that cell phones have been in common use we have yet to prove a significant threat. Let me please remind you; We are not talking about erecting the old, high energy antennas here!
2. Harm to the aesthetics of our natural environment by constructing new cell phone towers.
This is a non-issue. First, the sight impact has already happened and added to many times over on Mt. Constitution. Cell towers are not needed to fix our problem. Small unobtrusive, very low energy repeater antennas are the current technology.
3. Removing the ordinance from the County Comprehensive Plan to the Uniform Development Code.
This make sense to me. That would provide more opportunity to amend it. This means anyone with concerns has regularly recurring forums to be heard.
Finally, I am responsible for serving you as best I can and obtaining the proper resources is a part of that service. Our current emergency radio system needs serious and expensive upgrades. I do not want to spend tax dollars to do that when the cell companies will do it for us. When the improvements are made you will not be able to see the system upgrades but all of us will benefit. That is truly a win, win situation. If you support these improvements please send the county council a copy of this letter with the words “I agree” with your printed name and signature and address.
Thank you for being opened minded about this issue. Mike Harris, Chief, OIF&R