Board of Fire Commissioners
Tim Fuller, Chair, Seat #5
Tim Fuller is retired from a 40-year career in public service, working for the Cities of Saint Paul, Minnesota and Redmond, Washington. Tim joined the Saint Paul Fire Department (SPFD) in 1971. He rose from firefighter and paramedic through various chief officer positions, including SPFD’s first Chief of Emergency Medical Services, and was president of one of SPFD’s unions. In 1991 Tim was appointed Fire Chief and led the department for twelve years. As Chief, he hired SPFD’s first women firefighters and also established a labor/management team to guide the development of SPFD’s first-ever five-year strategic plan.
In 2005, Tim was appointed Fire Chief for the City of Redmond Fire Department (RFD), leading the department until 2011. During this time, Tim also served as interim Chief of Police, while the City conducted its search to fill the position permanently. Tim returned to Redmond in 2012 to serve for approximately a year as the Director of Public Works.
He has served on the boards of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Fire Protection Association and currently serves as Vice President of the board of OPAL Community Land Trust.
Tim and his wife Martha have been homeowners on Orcas Island since 2006 and became full-time Orcas Island residents in 2014.
Leith Templin, Seat #1
Leith Templin joined the Orcas Fire Commission in the Spring of 2022.
She is a fifth generation San Juan County resident. Her family members have owned and operated many different businesses since the Pig War Days on San Juan and since 1897 on Orcas. She has been involved with many different organizations and boards though the years and currently is on the Eastsound Planning and Review Committee and Commissioner for the Orcas Cemetery District.
Leith has followed the Fire Department for many years and has been on several OIFR subcommittees in the past. Her past OIFR involvement has helped her to develop a keen understanding of the daily administrative and operational functions and a vision of OIFR strategic long-range planning. With her business background and lifelong community involvement she feels she has a unique opportunity to bring a perspective and balance to the existing commission that will be helpful in the development of the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Department for years to come.
Alan Stameisen, Seat #2
Nick Negulescu, Seat #3
Nick Negulescu joined the Orcas Fire Commission in January of 2023.
He is a recently new resident to Orcas Island, moving in May 2021 from Lake Forest Park, Washington. He works full-time remotely as a Sr. Software Developer and travels regularly to visit his daughter on the weekends.
Nick is looking forward to getting to know and working with the Orcas Island community to support the district’s goals and vision.
Jim Biddick, Seat #4
Jim was appointed to the Orcas Fire Commission in March of 2023.
Born and raised in Detroit, after discharge from 6 years in the US Coast Guard, he relocated to San Jose, California, where he worked in the computer industry for more than 25 years. His last position was Director of Product Services in the 1990s. He earned his degree in education from San Jose State in 1972. Jim and his wife Sylvia discovered Orcas on their honeymoon in 1982, fell in love with the island, and bought a property in 1984 on the dark side of the mountain, Raccoon Point. After being laid off, Jim joined Sylvia in her educational practice and, for the next ten years, made use of his degree before deciding it was time to relocate to Orcas Island and start building in 2004.
Since being on the island, Jim has been active with the Orcas Island Lions Club, serving as President for two years and Treasurer for the last twelve years. Jim is also President and Treasurer for the 175-member Raccoon Point Road Maintenance Association, serves on the Board of the Raccoon Point Owners Association as the person in charge of road maintenance, offers free tax preparation service through the Lions Club and has organized the blood drive with Bloodworks and OIFR. He is looking forward to helping the Fire District meet its goals for the future and continuing to serve the Orcas Island Community.