Dec 2008
Press Releases for Dec 19 to Dec 25
26/12/08 18:45 Filed in: Run Report
Press Releases to media for this week
December 19 to 25 Orcas Fire and Rescue responded to: 3 alarm activations at the public school due to extreme weather, a breathing emergency, a burn, a medical emergency, 1 medical assist, 2 public assists for vehicle verses snow and a report of a vehicle blocking a fire station. No medical calls resulted in off-island transport. Department members coordinated emergency response plans to deal with any community isolated due to weather. Fortunately, there was no need activate the plan.
December 19 to 25 Orcas Fire and Rescue responded to: 3 alarm activations at the public school due to extreme weather, a breathing emergency, a burn, a medical emergency, 1 medical assist, 2 public assists for vehicle verses snow and a report of a vehicle blocking a fire station. No medical calls resulted in off-island transport. Department members coordinated emergency response plans to deal with any community isolated due to weather. Fortunately, there was no need activate the plan.
Runs for 12-10 to 18th
19/12/08 20:09 Filed in: Run Report
Press Release – Orcas Fire & Rescue
Runs for 12-10 to 18th
December 10 to the 18th was a very business week for Orcas Fire and Rescue. It began with an assist for transport by the Sheriff’s boat the Guardian for early child labor. Fire then responded to down wires at the base of Flaherty’s hill. Eastsound Station responded with both Rescue and Engine then requested a response from the Eastside to keep traffic away from the safety hazard. The road was blocked for over an hour while Opalco worked to correct the problem.
Sunday night all-hands responded to a large structure fire past Spring Point. Firefighters battled a stubborn crawl space fire as it spread throughout the three-story structure. It was finally contained before dawn but overhaul and getting apparatus back into service continued for an additional 6 hours. The Fire Marshal determined the fire was caused by an electrical problem. The structure suffered minimal damage.
The extreme cold created two citizen assists as well as a welfare check at a home. A residential alarm was activated by construction and aid responded to a medical issue. As the weather worsened, AirLift Northwest was grounded. One chest pain and a critical heart issue were transported by Sheriff’s boat. And a serious trauma was airlifted by the Coast Guard to Seattle.
Winter weather can be very hazardous, even for emergency vehicles. And, although the main roads may be clear, side roads, driveways and private roads require chains. Fire engines and aid units must travel slowly when chained up, increasing the time it takes to get to the emergency. Trees and brush along access routes can lean or break with the high winds and snow. This can slow or even prevent our large, heavy vehicles from reaching the scene. Help us help you. Insure responders can see your road signs and address numbers, even in bad weather. Keep your driveway clearance at least 12 x 12 feet when possible. Have emergency supplies on hand like a basic first ad kit, working flashlight and smoke alarm, extra warm clothing or blankets plus water and food for at least a few days.
Runs for 12-10 to 18th
December 10 to the 18th was a very business week for Orcas Fire and Rescue. It began with an assist for transport by the Sheriff’s boat the Guardian for early child labor. Fire then responded to down wires at the base of Flaherty’s hill. Eastsound Station responded with both Rescue and Engine then requested a response from the Eastside to keep traffic away from the safety hazard. The road was blocked for over an hour while Opalco worked to correct the problem.
Sunday night all-hands responded to a large structure fire past Spring Point. Firefighters battled a stubborn crawl space fire as it spread throughout the three-story structure. It was finally contained before dawn but overhaul and getting apparatus back into service continued for an additional 6 hours. The Fire Marshal determined the fire was caused by an electrical problem. The structure suffered minimal damage.
The extreme cold created two citizen assists as well as a welfare check at a home. A residential alarm was activated by construction and aid responded to a medical issue. As the weather worsened, AirLift Northwest was grounded. One chest pain and a critical heart issue were transported by Sheriff’s boat. And a serious trauma was airlifted by the Coast Guard to Seattle.
Winter weather can be very hazardous, even for emergency vehicles. And, although the main roads may be clear, side roads, driveways and private roads require chains. Fire engines and aid units must travel slowly when chained up, increasing the time it takes to get to the emergency. Trees and brush along access routes can lean or break with the high winds and snow. This can slow or even prevent our large, heavy vehicles from reaching the scene. Help us help you. Insure responders can see your road signs and address numbers, even in bad weather. Keep your driveway clearance at least 12 x 12 feet when possible. Have emergency supplies on hand like a basic first ad kit, working flashlight and smoke alarm, extra warm clothing or blankets plus water and food for at least a few days.
Orcas Fire & Rescue responded to a structure fire in Deer Harbor Sunday night at 10:52
15/12/08 14:32 Filed in: Structure
Fires
Orcas Island
Fire & Rescue
Press Release December 15, 2008
Orcas Fire and Rescue responded to a structure fire in Deer Harbor Sunday night at 10:52. Within minutes Deer Harbor Station Lt. Paul Turner was on scene with a report of smoke in the basement and first floor. However, he was alone in the Engine and could not enter the building. He reported resident was safely evacuated however 2 pets were unaccounted for. Engines and tankers from 22 from Westsound and Eastsound responded however, due to ice-covered roads, all apparatus was required to proceed slowly on chained tires. Engines from Doe bay and Rosario moved to the Eastsound Fire Station to cover any additional fire calls.
Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire in the crawl spaces near and around the utility room. Firefighters worked for 4.5 hours locating and extinguishing fire beneath the floors, which spread throughout the structure.
The steep driveway limited access so water was provided from several hundred feet away. Wind gusts in excess of 55 mph coupled with the 20-degree air quickly froze several supply hoses creating treacherous footing for all department members.
One missing cat was located hiding in a bedroom and quickly reunited with its owner. Due to fire engines blocking the driveway, the home-owner and pets were walked a quarter of a mile to a nearby neighbor who took them in out of the cold.
The fire was declared under control at approximately 3:30 am. Overhaul continued for another 90 minutes. Firefighters returned to stations at around 5 am to thaw out both apparatus and frozen wet gear. That process was still underway 15 hours after the initial tone-out.
“The probable cause was electrical near utility room” said San Juan County Fire Marshal Robert Low. “It was a difficult fire to find and put out.” In all, 3 fire engines, 2 water tankers, the Rescue unit and Medic 1 responded with 17 department personnel.
Photo: Fire Lt. Jeff Jones and Firefighter Robin Dyer located and knocked down the first of several stubborn fires burning in the crawl space of a residential fire early Monday morning.
Press Release December 15, 2008
Orcas Fire and Rescue responded to a structure fire in Deer Harbor Sunday night at 10:52. Within minutes Deer Harbor Station Lt. Paul Turner was on scene with a report of smoke in the basement and first floor. However, he was alone in the Engine and could not enter the building. He reported resident was safely evacuated however 2 pets were unaccounted for. Engines and tankers from 22 from Westsound and Eastsound responded however, due to ice-covered roads, all apparatus was required to proceed slowly on chained tires. Engines from Doe bay and Rosario moved to the Eastsound Fire Station to cover any additional fire calls.
Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire in the crawl spaces near and around the utility room. Firefighters worked for 4.5 hours locating and extinguishing fire beneath the floors, which spread throughout the structure.
The steep driveway limited access so water was provided from several hundred feet away. Wind gusts in excess of 55 mph coupled with the 20-degree air quickly froze several supply hoses creating treacherous footing for all department members.
One missing cat was located hiding in a bedroom and quickly reunited with its owner. Due to fire engines blocking the driveway, the home-owner and pets were walked a quarter of a mile to a nearby neighbor who took them in out of the cold.
The fire was declared under control at approximately 3:30 am. Overhaul continued for another 90 minutes. Firefighters returned to stations at around 5 am to thaw out both apparatus and frozen wet gear. That process was still underway 15 hours after the initial tone-out.
“The probable cause was electrical near utility room” said San Juan County Fire Marshal Robert Low. “It was a difficult fire to find and put out.” In all, 3 fire engines, 2 water tankers, the Rescue unit and Medic 1 responded with 17 department personnel.
Photo: Fire Lt. Jeff Jones and Firefighter Robin Dyer located and knocked down the first of several stubborn fires burning in the crawl space of a residential fire early Monday morning.