Oct 2009
4 New Engines Arrive on Orcas
26/10/09 20:30 Filed in: News
Orcas Island
Fire & Rescue is proud to announce delivery
of the 4 new fire engines envisioned in our
2005 strategic plan and ordered last year. The
Strategic Plan called for replacing our aging fleet
of "custom" fire trucks with "off road capable.
multi-use units" that could do double duty to
put our brush fires and structure fires. The engines
seen here are the size of large crew cab pickups
(F550's) and are much easier to drive
and train on. The engines will be placed at the
Westsound, Deer Harbor, and Doe Bay fire stations
upon completion of outfitting in early
November. The fourth will be stationed at
Eastsound and also operate as our reserve to replace
an engine needing repair or maintenance.
We chose the Darley Company because they could build on a commercial chassis and maintain our fire rating due to their ability to provide rated fire pumps (1,250 Gal. Per Min) the same size as the commercial trucks we currently have The new engines are called WASPs for Wildland Attack and Structural Protection. Darley is the largest and oldest builder of fire pumps in the world and is still family owned in Wisconsin. They only build 300 units a year and allowed us to slip into their already closed 2009 production schedule.
This photo was taken on October 20 at the factory in Chippewa Falls as the engines were being caravanned to Washington by volunteer and career members of the District. These units also feature Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS). This system allows water to be 5 times more effective than without this biodegradable foam. These units also represent an evolution in the user friendliness of CAFS by reducing the number of steps it takes to "get the wet stuff on the red stuff" said Clyde Duke who was the chair of the Strategic Planning Committee that came up with the idea. Training Division Chief, Patrick Shepler commented that "even members with a Florida education can make these units produce perfect cafs". CAFS injects foam and air into the fire fighting stream and absorbs more heat while also smothering the fire. "It also can be used to apply a pre-treatment coating of foam to a home in the path of a wildfire and allow firefighters to move on to another home" commented chief Mike Harris.
Previous to 2005 only one fire engine on Orcas had CAFS was stationed at Eastsound because it could go to both sides of the island in about the same amount of time. In 2005 an additional two engines were provided with it (Orcas landing and Olga). Our firefighters are excited about the front mounted, cab controlled monitors capable of putting caf on the fire without getting out of the cab. Our public will be glad to know these new "commercial" units are half the size and half the weight of our past three "custom" fire trucks as well as half the cost. It all came together when we were able to purchase 2008 FORDS at a discount, tag onto a year old Skagit Co. District 5 bid and receive deferrals of Darley price increase as well as their cost on many features. The result is 4 matched units that will make training much easier and driving much less intimidating than the 20 ton units we had before. We paid Darley $190,000 to turn these F550s into fire trucks and the chassis cost the same as state bid pricing of $30,000. This compares to the nearly $450,000 that each custom Seagrave fire truck cost 5 years ago. "As a comparable, Friday Harbor recently authorized over $600,000 for a new fire truck they hope to take delivery of next year. While responding to fires calls is only 20% of what we do, our insurance rating and your premiums are directly related to doing what the Wa. Survey and Rating Bureaus says is necessary to maintain our rating. They say 20 years is the most a fire truck can stay in front line service. The Doe Bay and Westsound and Deer Harbor engines were all over that, the chief stated. We want to thank Skagit Co.Fire District 5 and the Darley Fire Apparatus Company for making this possible" added Chief Harris.
We chose the Darley Company because they could build on a commercial chassis and maintain our fire rating due to their ability to provide rated fire pumps (1,250 Gal. Per Min) the same size as the commercial trucks we currently have The new engines are called WASPs for Wildland Attack and Structural Protection. Darley is the largest and oldest builder of fire pumps in the world and is still family owned in Wisconsin. They only build 300 units a year and allowed us to slip into their already closed 2009 production schedule.
This photo was taken on October 20 at the factory in Chippewa Falls as the engines were being caravanned to Washington by volunteer and career members of the District. These units also feature Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS). This system allows water to be 5 times more effective than without this biodegradable foam. These units also represent an evolution in the user friendliness of CAFS by reducing the number of steps it takes to "get the wet stuff on the red stuff" said Clyde Duke who was the chair of the Strategic Planning Committee that came up with the idea. Training Division Chief, Patrick Shepler commented that "even members with a Florida education can make these units produce perfect cafs". CAFS injects foam and air into the fire fighting stream and absorbs more heat while also smothering the fire. "It also can be used to apply a pre-treatment coating of foam to a home in the path of a wildfire and allow firefighters to move on to another home" commented chief Mike Harris.
Previous to 2005 only one fire engine on Orcas had CAFS was stationed at Eastsound because it could go to both sides of the island in about the same amount of time. In 2005 an additional two engines were provided with it (Orcas landing and Olga). Our firefighters are excited about the front mounted, cab controlled monitors capable of putting caf on the fire without getting out of the cab. Our public will be glad to know these new "commercial" units are half the size and half the weight of our past three "custom" fire trucks as well as half the cost. It all came together when we were able to purchase 2008 FORDS at a discount, tag onto a year old Skagit Co. District 5 bid and receive deferrals of Darley price increase as well as their cost on many features. The result is 4 matched units that will make training much easier and driving much less intimidating than the 20 ton units we had before. We paid Darley $190,000 to turn these F550s into fire trucks and the chassis cost the same as state bid pricing of $30,000. This compares to the nearly $450,000 that each custom Seagrave fire truck cost 5 years ago. "As a comparable, Friday Harbor recently authorized over $600,000 for a new fire truck they hope to take delivery of next year. While responding to fires calls is only 20% of what we do, our insurance rating and your premiums are directly related to doing what the Wa. Survey and Rating Bureaus says is necessary to maintain our rating. They say 20 years is the most a fire truck can stay in front line service. The Doe Bay and Westsound and Deer Harbor engines were all over that, the chief stated. We want to thank Skagit Co.Fire District 5 and the Darley Fire Apparatus Company for making this possible" added Chief Harris.
WASP Engines Arriving Soon!
16/10/09 16:26 Filed in: News
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue Bringing New WASP
Engines Home
On Monday, October 19th, nine members of OIFR will be leaving SeaTac Airport for Chippewa Falls Wisconsin and will travel to the Darley Company, the oldest Fire Apparatus Manufacturer in the United States. There, they will accept delivery of 4 new WASP Engines and drive them back to Orcas Island. WASP is the abbreviation for engines that can fight both structural fire and go off-road to battle wildland fire. This purchase is the direct result of the 2005 Strategic Plan, designed and implemented to replace aging fire apparatus in the most cost effective ways.
In addition to being the most capable engines in the 7 engine Orcas Fleet, they are also the least expensive at $220,000 plus tax (each). The 2 Seagrave Engines purchased in 2004, cost nearly twice as much - each!
How did OIFR make this happen? First and foremost, they “tagged along” on an apparatus bid secured by Skagit County Fire District #5. This allowed a purchase price set 2 years prior. In addition, the Darley Company realized that 4 new fire trucks in the Puget Sound Basin was positive advertisement. So they waived price increases and provided incentives which saved the taxpayers an additional $10,000 each!
They are scheduled to arrive October 24th.
On Monday, October 19th, nine members of OIFR will be leaving SeaTac Airport for Chippewa Falls Wisconsin and will travel to the Darley Company, the oldest Fire Apparatus Manufacturer in the United States. There, they will accept delivery of 4 new WASP Engines and drive them back to Orcas Island. WASP is the abbreviation for engines that can fight both structural fire and go off-road to battle wildland fire. This purchase is the direct result of the 2005 Strategic Plan, designed and implemented to replace aging fire apparatus in the most cost effective ways.
In addition to being the most capable engines in the 7 engine Orcas Fleet, they are also the least expensive at $220,000 plus tax (each). The 2 Seagrave Engines purchased in 2004, cost nearly twice as much - each!
How did OIFR make this happen? First and foremost, they “tagged along” on an apparatus bid secured by Skagit County Fire District #5. This allowed a purchase price set 2 years prior. In addition, the Darley Company realized that 4 new fire trucks in the Puget Sound Basin was positive advertisement. So they waived price increases and provided incentives which saved the taxpayers an additional $10,000 each!
They are scheduled to arrive October 24th.
The FLU has Arrived In SJ County
02/10/09 17:34 Filed in: News
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue Using Stage 1 Flu
Procedures Plan
The FLU has arrived in the San Juans. Whether it is the seasonal flu or the new H1N1 flu, its all the flu. Flu cases are expected to rapidly increase over the next 5-6 weeks bulk of the cases in the last two weeks of October. As a precaution, volunteers are using extra care to avoid getting sick themselves. “There is a two fold reason for this,” says Division Chief and Paramedic Patrick Shepler. “Number one – we have to stay healthy so we can continue to respond. But equally important, we have to reduce the risk of becoming contagious and passing flu on to another patient.”
“There have been 154 hospitalizations and 14 deaths in WA State so far. San Juan County has had only sporadic cases, but schools on both Orcas and Lopez have had absenteeism rates over 10%, which is a fairly good indicator that influenza is in the community” says San Juan County Department of Health Medical Director Dr. James.
So the public may notice a few changes. The most obvious will be when EMTs and firefighters arrive on a medical scene. Responders may ask if the patient has flu symptoms like a fever, body or head aches, a sore throat or a cough. They may be wearing a mask similar to those worn by doctors and hospital personnel as well as protective gowns, gloves and even booties. And in many cases, there may be fewer responders in close contact with the patient. This protects both personnel and the public.
Tours of the Eastsound Fire Station have been postponed until further notice. Anyone scheduling the public meeting room has been notified that events may be cancelled without warning if the station needs to close its office due to staffing concerns. Only responding members of the department will be allowed beyond the lobby and public meeting room.
“We need to keep answering the day to day calls. We still have heart attacks, car crashes, fires and other emergencies happening every day and those calls require health responders,” says Maxx Jones (Public Safety & Education as well as firefighter and EMT). “If we all get sick, there will be no one left to answer the call.”
About a third of the population may get sick. About half of those cases will be sick enough to want medical evaluations. Call ahead if you need to see a doctor. There may be special instructions you will need to follow to keep from spreading/catching the flu when around others.
Most flu sufferers can be safely cared for at home but some should seek medical care. The emergency warning signs are difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, severe or persistent vomiting or signs of dehydration like sudden dizziness or confusion. Also, a fever that subsides then returns along with the same flu symptoms. This is the time to call for medical help.
The FLU has arrived in the San Juans. Whether it is the seasonal flu or the new H1N1 flu, its all the flu. Flu cases are expected to rapidly increase over the next 5-6 weeks bulk of the cases in the last two weeks of October. As a precaution, volunteers are using extra care to avoid getting sick themselves. “There is a two fold reason for this,” says Division Chief and Paramedic Patrick Shepler. “Number one – we have to stay healthy so we can continue to respond. But equally important, we have to reduce the risk of becoming contagious and passing flu on to another patient.”
“There have been 154 hospitalizations and 14 deaths in WA State so far. San Juan County has had only sporadic cases, but schools on both Orcas and Lopez have had absenteeism rates over 10%, which is a fairly good indicator that influenza is in the community” says San Juan County Department of Health Medical Director Dr. James.
So the public may notice a few changes. The most obvious will be when EMTs and firefighters arrive on a medical scene. Responders may ask if the patient has flu symptoms like a fever, body or head aches, a sore throat or a cough. They may be wearing a mask similar to those worn by doctors and hospital personnel as well as protective gowns, gloves and even booties. And in many cases, there may be fewer responders in close contact with the patient. This protects both personnel and the public.
Tours of the Eastsound Fire Station have been postponed until further notice. Anyone scheduling the public meeting room has been notified that events may be cancelled without warning if the station needs to close its office due to staffing concerns. Only responding members of the department will be allowed beyond the lobby and public meeting room.
“We need to keep answering the day to day calls. We still have heart attacks, car crashes, fires and other emergencies happening every day and those calls require health responders,” says Maxx Jones (Public Safety & Education as well as firefighter and EMT). “If we all get sick, there will be no one left to answer the call.”
About a third of the population may get sick. About half of those cases will be sick enough to want medical evaluations. Call ahead if you need to see a doctor. There may be special instructions you will need to follow to keep from spreading/catching the flu when around others.
Most flu sufferers can be safely cared for at home but some should seek medical care. The emergency warning signs are difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, severe or persistent vomiting or signs of dehydration like sudden dizziness or confusion. Also, a fever that subsides then returns along with the same flu symptoms. This is the time to call for medical help.