Salute Firefighters - Salute to Whidbey Island Firefighters

2014 WHIDBEY ISLAND

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD, WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES & THE WHIDBEY EXAMINER

SALUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS

Smoke Alarms Save LivesThe most important things you need to know are smoke alarms save lives and they should be in every home. Follow these impor-tant smoke alarm safety measures:

• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. This means test-ing smoke alarms monthly, replacing batteries once a year or when a low-battery alarm chirps and performing other maintenance as NFPA and your smoke alarm manufacturers recommend. And of course, a smoke alarm disabled because of nuisance alarms provides no protection at all.

• It is important to have not just one smoke alarm but smoke alarms in every location required by NFPA standards. (On each level of your home, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom.) Tens of millions of U.S. homes are es-timated to have smoke alarms but not enough smoke alarms to meet the standards and protect their homes.

• Interconnect your smoke alarms so that a fire detected by any smoke alarm will sound an alarm at every location where a smoke alarm is installed. Interconnection can be done using hard-wiring or wireless broadcast technology. Interconnected smoke alarms provide early warning of fires that are still far away or are located on the other side of a door or wall that may block sound.

• Develop and practice an escape plan so that everyone in the home knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds. That includes planning a second way out from every room in your home. Every household that develops and practices an escape plan with two ways out from every location improves its time to escape in every type of fire.

There Are Different Types of Smoke Alarm Technologies—Ionization and PhotoelectricThe two most commonly recognized smoke detection technologies are ionization smoke detection and photoelectric smoke detection. Ionization smoke detection is generally more responsive to flaming fires and photoelectric smoke detection is generally more respon-sive to fires that begin with a long period of smoldering (called “smoldering fires”). For each type of smoke alarm, the advantage it provides may be critical to life safety in some fire situations.

Home fatal fires, day or night, include a large number of smoldering fires and a large number of flaming fires. You can not predict the type of fire you may have in your home or when it will occur. Any smoke alarm technology, to be acceptable, must perform acceptably for both types of fires in order to provide early warning of fire at all times of the day or night and whether you are asleep or awake.

The best evidence has always indicated that either type of smoke alarm will provide sufficient time for escape for most people for most fires of either smoldering or flaming type. How-ever, research is ongoing, and standards are living documents. If at any time, research points to a different conclusion, then that will lead to proposals for changes in the NFPA standard or the closely related Underwriters Laboratories standard for testing and approving smoke alarms. Both organizations currently have task groups looking at smoke alarm performance in the current home environment.

For Best Protection Use Both Types of Smoke Alarm TechnologiesFor best protection, it is recommended both (ionization and photoelectric) technologies be in homes. In addition to indi-vidual ionization and photoelectric alarms, combination alarms that include both technologies in a single device are available.

Nuisance Alarms Can Be MinimizedIonization type smoke alarms are more susceptible to nuisance alarms due to cooking, the leading cause of nuisance alarms, but both types have some susceptibility to nuisance alarms from cooking fumes, and both have susceptibility to nuisance alarms from the steam from a hot shower.

In the past decade or so, a number of steps have been taken to reduce the likelihood of nuisance alarms, including hush fea-tures and refinements to installation rules that include guidance on safe distances from nuisance sources.

TV Demonstrations of Smoke Alarm Performance Can Be MisleadingInformal demonstrations, such as ones done for TV news shows, of smoke alarm performance can seriously mislead the viewer and do not provide a sound basis to assess performance. These demonstration tests are not performed in a controlled or sci-entific way that compares the time of smoke alarm operation to the time when occupants would be incapacitated. The selected fire scenarios may not be representative of real fatal home fires. Passing or failing a “test” of this sort may have nothing to do with performing well or badly in the wide range of real fires. A valid engineering analysis must select fires that are realistic and analyze them accordingly.

In an informal demonstration, the eye reacts to conditions that look dangerous, mostly visible smoke and visible flame. However, most people are killed by invisible gases, which do not necessarily spread at the same rate as smoke or flame. A valid engineering analysis must measure conditions caused by fires and assess them according to their real danger.

What you should know about

For more information go to www.nfpa.org/smokealarms

SPONSORED BY

Oak HarborFire Department

and

North WhidbeyFire and Rescue

OCTOBER 2014 SALUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS – NORTH WHIDBEY FIRE AND RESCUE

Comm. Bruce Carman Comm. Jerry Goen Comm. Larry Wall Deputy Chief Mike Brown Battalion Chief Lyle Zimmerman Captain Gerald Smith

Captain Jeff Amidon Captain Jim Anema Captain Jim O’Connor Captain Matt VanGiesen Captain Steve Lacy Lt. Bill McArthur

Fire Chief: Marvin Koorn

Years of Service: 36

Number of Employees: 103

Number of Stations: 7

Demographics: 55 square miles, 18,000 population

How does your department balance volunteer/paid employees? North Whidbey Fire and Rescue has 30 part time employees who volunteer for 12 hour shifts to staff

two of our stations with two firefighters in each of the two stations. NWFR has 70 volunteers that respond with the part time employees to the calls within our district.

What makes your department special? The number and dedication of the volunteers that continue to volun-teer their time and energy to protect our community.

What is your favorite thing about being in the fire service? Being able to help people in their time of need and be part of an ever changing and growing department.

North Whidbey Fire and Rescue

Fire Chief Marvin Koorn

A big THANK YOU to all the South Whidbey Fire and EMS Volunteers

Call us or stop by todayfor a free quote! 5595 So. Harbor Ave.Freeland, WA 98249Porterwhidbey.com

360-331-1500 Tricia Bozin Jessica Marshall

SALUTES OUR FIRST RESPONDERS

15 Coveland St • Coupevillelavenderwind.com

360.544.4132

Whidbey Island South

Cheryl KeefeBroker/Owner

206-930-7316

Thank youto our

Whidbey Firefi ghters

and EMS Responders

SALUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS – NORTH WHIDBEY FIRE AND RESCUE OCTOBER 2014

Lt. Ed Klaszky Lt. Sherri Brown Albert Treiber Andrea Simmons Andrew Schmal Ann Conto

Ben Deschepper Bill Brooks Bill Cooper Brandon Bailey Brett Lopes Brian Casey

Catherine Martin Chris Chastain Chris Hernandez Chris Turner Christopher Avance Cliff Horr

To our local South Whidbey Fire� ghtersand EMS Volunteers.

Thank you for your bravery, hard work and commitment. We appreciate your dedication

to keeping us safe

Visser Funeral Home432 Third Street, Langley, WA 360-221-6600

Christina ParkerRealtor, Broker

[email protected]

With AppreciationSouth Whidbey Fire & EMS

Island Assessment & CounselingAmy Hofeditz, Administrator

520 E Whidbey Avenie. Ste 205Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Phone Fax Cell (360) 675-5782 (360) 675 9115 (206) 409-1101

[email protected] | www.islandaccinc.com

Thank Youto ourFirefighters


Dale Esperum Dan Horton Daniel Bova Dave Hanson David Nelson Deborah Rogers

Demi Westendorf Dillon Sather Dustin Amundson Dylan Dahl Frank Valencic George Lawson

Gregg Alonzo Guy Fealey Ian Eby James Goguen James Middleton James Zimmerman

Thank you for your service!

150 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor, WA 98277(360) 679-3533

We salute our Whidbey Island Firefi ghters & EMS responders

(360) 678-5611 408 S Main St, Coupeville, WA 98239

Local Service,Measurable Savings

CALL ME FOR A FREE, CALL ME FOR A FREE, CALL ME FOR A FREE, CALL ME FOR A FREE, CALL ME FOR A FREE, CALL ME FOR A FREE, Measurable Savings

CALL ME FOR A FREE, Measurable SavingsMeasurable Savings

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NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE!NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE!360-331-4440RANDY ENBERGINSURANCEYour Local Agent

5589 S Harbor AveFreeland, WA [email protected]

SALUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS – NORTH WHIDBEY FIRE AND RESCUE OCTOBER 2014

Jon Pollock Johnathan Walker Josh Fikse Josh Koorn Josh Richards Lauren Powers

Logan Williams Mark Boberg Mathew Sypert Maurice Elder Neil Loose Noah Hetzel

Ricardo Otero Robert Dorr Ron Rogers Ryan McCarthy Ryan Nowicki Scott Jackson

Thank you to our � re� ghters

T I R E S • W H E E L S • B AT T E R I E S • A L I G N M E N T • S H O C K S • B R A K E S

11038 WASHINGTON 525, CLINTON, WA 98236(360) 341-3313 WWW.LESSCHWAB.COM

Thank you for your bravery


Steve Cope Tim Schulz Tim Walstad TJ Kelsey Tom Hoctor Tom Mohlsick

Travis O’Connor Ty Welshans Tyler Rico Walter Krytcha Wayne Russell Yi Qin

NOT PICTURED:

Zac Skilbeck Amber W Jessie R Sarah P

Aaron Marek

Arlinda Glass

Brody DeDobbelaere

Cameron Hopkins

Christian Hendrix

Codi Bittner

David Egli

Hannah Tripp

Jeff Cobb

Johnathan Karlburg

Justin Bates

Paul Schroer

Phillip Evans

Richard Hoover

Robert Crane

Thank You

1796 Main Street, Suite 102 Freeland(360) 331-5619

www.tigermartialarts.info

We

Salu

te our brave FireFighterS We thank you for

your bravery715 SE Fidalgo Ave. #202, Oak Harbor

(360)679-9227 www.gallerysalonspa.net

SALUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS – CITY OF OAK HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT OCTOBER 2014

Fire Chief: Ray Merrill

Years of Service: 38

Number of Employees: 10 career staff / 36 paid on call


Demographics: 9.45 square miles / 22,300 population

How does your department balance volunteer/paid employ-ees? Oak Harbor enjoys a very good working relationship with the career and paid on call personnel. They all meet the same stan-dards, requirements and training. Each group provides a special ingredient to the department. They all understand the importance of our fire department and how we can best serve the community. They are a fantastic group of individuals working for a common goal — public safety.

What makes your department special? No. 1 the people; the amount of energy, dedication, self-sacrifice, and hard work they put forth to provide for a safe community. It is honor and a plea-sure to come to work every morning – knowing the people I get to work with, and the job that we do. It can’t be any better.

City of Oak Harbor Fire Department

Chief Ray Merrill, 24 years

Deputy Chief Buxton, 22 years Ron Hancock, 41 years Rich Rodgers, 39 years

What is your favorite thing about being in the fire service? There are so many it’s too hard to pick just one. I just enjoy every aspects of the fire department and what we stand for.

Editors Note: Chief Merrill served 24 years with the Oak Harbor Fire Department, one year with North Whidbey Fire & Rescue, and 13 years with other agencies, for a total of 38 years.

Dwayne Jansen, 34 years Chris Garden, 28 years Steve McCalmont, 24 years

www.whidbeygen.org

Thank you for your service

THANK YOU

www.wiws.org

1685 Main Street (360) 331-5211 [email protected]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE & BRAVERY

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders5400 South Cameron RdFreeland, WA [email protected]

We can always count on you in times of need, thank you Whidbey

Fire� ghters & EMS Crew

OCTOBER 2014 SALUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS – CITY OF OAK HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT

Craig Anderson, 23 years Dennis Wright, 21 years Paul Schroer, 20 years Jon Roberts, 18 years Mike Engle, 17 years Daniel Martin, 12 years

Andrew Carroll, 11 years Tom Cross, 11 years Don Baer, 11 years Jeff Heiserman, 9 years Shannon Holcomb, 9 years Robert Mirabal, 9 years

Angela Braunstein, 9 years Ryan Lange, 6 years Conor Ching, 5 years Ed Klaszky, 5 years Grant Bull, 5 years Otto Haffner, 4 years

5438 S Woodard Ave. Freeland, WA 98249www.gordonsonblueberryhill.com

Phone: 360.331.7515 • E-mail: [email protected]

WE THANK YOU WHIDBEY ISLAND FIREFIGHTERS AND EMS RESPONDERS YOUR SERVICEYOUR SERVRVR ICE

Thank You for

www.caseyscrafts.net360-321-0577

Full range of art and craft supplies and more!!

“Sending heartfelt thanks for all you to everyday to

save our lives”

Mother MentorsNurturing the caregivers of young children

www.whidbeymothermentors.org360-321-1484

P.O. Box 92, Langley, WA 98260

SALUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS – CITY OF OAK HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT OCTOBER 2014

Jake Hammond, 4 years Cameron Hopkins, 4 years Jake Jansen, 4 years Jason Russell, 4 years Tim Walstad, 4 years Genevieve Cox, 2 years

Josh Fikse, 2 years Andrew Moon, 2 years Travis Stanford, 2 years Laura Titherington, 2 years Valentin Orellano, 1 year Mike Fletcher, 1 year

Kevin Frondozo, 1 year Zack Gifford, 1 year Josh Jansen, 1 year Andy Kiesel, 1 year Ed-Paul Macapinlac, 1 year Gerrit Nagel, 1 year

Bayview Embroidery N’Print“HIGH QUALITY - NOT HIGH PRICES”

(360)679-7900bayview-embroidery-n-print.com

890 SE Bayshore Drive, Ste. 101 Oak Harbor, WA. 98277

Thank You Whidbey Fire� ghters

5826 Kramer Rd Langley, WA 98260

360-321-7799

Thank you to our � re� ghters

THANK YOU

OCTOBER 2014 SALUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS – SOUTH WHIDBEY FIRE/EMS

Fire Chief: H.L. “Rusty” Palmer

Years of Service: 38+

Number of Employees: 11 paid, 74 volunteer


Demographics: 66 square miles with 57 miles of shoreline, (the largest in the coun-

ty), ~15,000 residents with a daily effective population of 25,000. The department provides fire suppression, fire prevention, disas-ter preparedness training, first aid/CPR training, medical first response, marine firefighting/rescue, and technical rope rescue services. Our annual call volume is more than 2,000 calls, of which 78 percent are medical.

How does your department balance volunteer/paid employees? South Whidbey Fire/EMS has been predominately volunteer since its beginning in 1952. Career staff fill the administrative and maintenance divisions, while emergency responders are vol-unteer. A deputy chief serves as a duty office on a rotating basis. Like most volunteer organizations, we gain and lose members at a regular rate. Overall, we have lost approximately 5 percent of total members in the last 5 years. The community depends upon our vol-unteers to respond and take care of their emergency. Recruiting and retaining qualified volunteers is an ongoing and sometimes difficult task. Firefighting and EMS are physically demanding. South Whidbey’s population is aging, and the population pool of younger members is limited. Younger members may stay with the organization for a short time and then move on to make fire/EMS a career. That said, individuals of most ages, in good physical condi-tion, can find fulfillment and reward as a member of the department. The department suffered the loss of numerous volunteers during the economic crisis. Many members were forced to leave the island

to find work. Many member have also retired from the organiza-tion with many years of experience. Those members are particu-larly difficult to replace. The department has had part-time firefighters in the past, and is considering restarting the program to cover daytime response. Many members work out of the district or off island during the day. Hiring of part-time members will ensure a minimum response to each call. Volunteers will still play a critical role in responding to provide an adequate number of members to handle the emergency.

What makes your department special? Our members! We are very much a family. We provide service to Freeland, Saratoga, Bayview, Maxwelton, Langley and Clinton and view the district as one large community. Our members are very dedicated to our com-munity. Our organizations are made up of individuals from all walks of life, with an incredible breadth of knowledge. We use the expertise and life experience of our members in just about everything we do. We recognize the trust our community puts in us, and we take it very seriously. We have the highest call volume of all fire departments in the County, which means our members practice their skills regularly.

What is your favorite thing about being in the fire service? I have one of the best jobs in the world. I have seen a tremendous amount of change in the fire service and have participated in it on a local, state and national level. My experiences and learning have been some of the most fulfilling moments of my life. I have experi-enced the fire service with some of the most altruistic people I have ever met. The self-sacrifice and dedication among my brothers and sisters in the fire service is humbling. The fire department is one of the critical threads that holds a com-munity together. Being a part of it binds us to every person we serve in a way most people do not get to experience their work.

South Whidbey Fire/EMS

H.L. “Rusty” Palmer

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner 7 Days a WeekFor Food “To Go” Call 360-331-9945

1642 Main St., Freeland

~est 1974~

Thank you to our brave fire fighters for your service!

Our family serving yours for 40 yearsWhidbeyTV • Voice ServicesHigh Speed Internet • Security & Alarms • Computer Solutions •

Cloud Services

www.whidbey.com360 321 1122

WhidbeyTV • Voice ServicesHigh Speed Internet • Security & Alarms • Computer Solutions •

Cloud Services

www.whidbey.com360 321 1122

WhidbeyTV • Voice Services High Speed Internet • Security & Alarms

Computer Solutions • Cloud Services

Thanks foryour service!

360-341-3504

SALUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS – SOUTH WHIDBEY FIRE/EMS OCTOBER 2014

Robert Armstrong Chuck Baker Eldon Baker Heidi Beck Jerry Beck Jon Beck

Chris Blasko Kim Boenish Jennifer Buchholz Paul Busch Dareld Chittim Cameron Clark

Anne Collins Adam Conley Melissa Conley Mike Cotton Jeff Cravy Brent Davison

Lisa Dilwicius James Dobberfuhl Bob Elliot Katherine Eyth Bill Fredrick Robert Frey


Gary Gabelein Jon Gabelein Tom Gideon Mike Helland Daniel Husom Robert Husom

Vicki Lange R. Leckey Ken Lindenstein Don Mason Sean McDougald Alex McMahon

The team atFreeland

thanks you all!

Mon–Sat 8am-7pmSun 9am-6pm

331-67991609 E. Main, Freeland

The team at Freeland

thanks you all!

Mon-Sat 8am-7pm • Sun 9am-6pm331-6799 • 1609 E. Main, Freeland

Open 7 days a week.

Cozy’s Roadhouse8872 Hwy 525Clinton WA 98236

360-341-2838 • www.cozysroadhouse.com

"Thank you to all Whidbey Island Firefi ghters"

Pat McMahon Rick Neal Andy O’Keefe Michael Oyola Christina Parker Jeff Parker

SALUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS – SOUTH WHIDBEY FIRE/EMS OCTOBER 2014

Tom Peterson Will Piepenbrink Tony Price Paul Rempa Kevin Rookstool Herschel Rostov

Connie Shields Paul Shimada Jeff Simmons Kenon Simmons Kevin Simmons Melissa Simmons

Liz Smith Mari St Amand Ken Starkweather Bill Stolcis Will Suarez Marc Swenson

Ashley Taylor Jim Towers Brian Vick

Village Pizzeria is the only waterfront restaurant In Langley.Serving delicious hand-tossed NY style pizza, we also serve pasta dishes, sandwiches, variety of salads and appetizers.Come in and enjoy the gorgeous view of the sound and full

bar service next to a warm � replace.Voting now open for “King 5 Best of Western Washington”

vote for us best pizza; we were top 5 last year!

106 1st Street, Langley, WA 98260 ▶ 360-221-3363

We’d like to recognize of one of our servers, Ms. Alexandra McMahon who is a volunteer EMTand a fantastic part of our wait sta� .


Terry Welch Eric Westphal James Wrightson

NOT PICTURED:Andrew “AJ” AgnewBrian BoydKay ButlerKelly CammermeyerDrew GardnerRobyn HagglundKelly McDonald

Antonio “Tony” NissenJoann OyolaDena PeelRebekah PomeroyDelia TappPamela Uhlig

Fire Chief: Ed Hartin


Demographics: 50 square miles / 8,264 population

What makes the department special? Unlike the north and south ends of Whidbey Island, Central Whidbey is predomi-nantly a retirement community with a median age of 51 (US Census, 2011). In the last 13 years, the median age in our community has increased by eight years. Increasing median

age points to a significantly aging population within the District which has a significant impact on fire and health risk, demand for emergency services, and an adverse impact on the District’s ability to recruit com-munity based emergency ser-vice volunteers.

Editors Note: Information was obtained from department web-site. Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue did not respond for requests for employee photos or department information.

Source: Portable Generator Manufacturers Association

Portable generators are use-ful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but if used incorrectly, they can cause harm to you and your family.

Generator exhaust contains high levels of carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that is tasteless, colorless and odorless. Careful consideration should be taken while operating portable genera-tors or carbon monoxide poison-ing can become a deadly risk.

“Generators can be very dangerous if not operated properly,” said Joe Harding, representative for the Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association (PGMA). “However, with proper selection and safe usage, the potential dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by portable generators can be greatly reduced. The PGMA Safety First program is focused on educating the public to prevent unnecessary deaths.”

Protect your family, know the warning signs To minimize tragedies associated with car-bon monoxide poisoning, the

experts at PGMA offer these tips for the safe operation of portable generators: • Do not run portable gen-erators inside homes, garages, basements, crawlspaces, sheds or other partially-enclosed spac-es, even if using fans or open-ing doors and windows. Carbon monoxide can quickly build up and linger for hours in these places, even after the generator has been turned off.• Only operate a portable gen-erator outside, far away from windows, doors and vents, to reduce the risk of carbon mon-oxide gas accumulating and potentially being drawn toward occupied spaces. • Install battery-operated car-bon monoxide alarms or plug-in alarms with battery backup according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Smoke alarms can-not detect carbon monoxide gas.

• Always place your portable generator downwind and point the engine exhaust away from occupied spaces.• The symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide poisoning can be similar to those caused by other illness such as cold, flu or food poisoning. If you suspect you or a family member are experiencing any of these symp-toms due to carbon monoxide poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately and call 911 for emergency medical attention.

For more information about the dangers of carbon monoxide poi-soning, visit www.pgmaonline.com

Central WhidbeyIsland Fire

& Rescue

Kelly Wrightson

Tips to Keep Your Family SafeKnow the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning

EXHAUST (CO)

Direct exhaustAWAY from

windows, doors,and vents.

KEEPFAR AWAY!

Only use OUTSIDE andFAR AWAY from

windows, doors and vents.

Put Carbon Monoxide (CO)detectors in living areas

Portable Generators emitCarbon Monoxide (CO) exhaust that is:COLORLESS, ORDORLESS & DEADLY!

Image Courtesy of Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association

It’s very important that you take precautions when it comes to fire.Always practice these safety tips: Never play with matches or lighters Do not handle gasoline or other liquids that burn Be careful around stoves, heaters and open fires Do not cook unless an adult is present If smoke is around, stay low to the groundREMEMBER, if something catches on fire, get help. Call 9-1-1Kids and adults should work together to form an emergency plan, including an escape route. Don’t forget to practice the plan.

Fire Safety

This page is sponsored by: FIRE DISTRICT #7

JOIN US! Volunteer to be a Firefighter!

STOP where you are.DROP to the groundROLL over and over until the flames are out, covering your face and mouth with your hands

If your clothes catch fire . . .

This page sponsored by: South Whidbey Fire & EMS

JOIN US!Volunteer to be a Firefighter!

OCTOBER IS FIRE PREVENTION MONTHFIRE PREVENTION MONTHFIRE PREVENTION MONTHFIRE PREVENTION MONTH


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Salute Firefighters - Salute to Whidbey Island Firefighters

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