ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE
Formation & History
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue was chartered in 1948 under title 52 of the Revised Code of Washington. As San Juan County's second fire district, its role expanded in the early seventies to include emergency medical services. Started as an all volunteer service until the early 70's, the district now has a career staff of 4 full time Firefighter Paramedics, 2 Firefighter EMT's, an EMT Administrative Assistant and the Chief together with 60+ volunteer firefighters, EMT's and First Responders. OIF&R also hosts the SJC Deputy Fire Marshal. With the advent of a new headquarters in 2001, the district established 24-hour staffing in 2005.
Services & Population
San Juan County Fire Protection District #2 provides emergency medical services (ALS advanced life support), fire prevention and suppression, and public education services. The District's response area is all of Orcas Island, which is approximately 55 square miles and categorized as rural; the topography of the island is the most diverse of the San Juans with elevations from sea level to 2,400 feet. The District serves a permanent population of about 5,000 people with a summer population of 12,000.
Public Education & Training
The District participates in training hundreds of adults and children annually through various classes and programs including: First Aid & CPR, School Safety, Firewise, and Fall Prevention. Business Occupancy Safety Inspection & Home Fire Safety programs are also run through the Fire Marshal.
We provide these safety items at the Eastsound Fire Station:
Bike & Allsport helmets
Smoke & CO Alarms
9-Volt smoke alarm replacement batteries
Infant Child Car Seat Loaners
Child Booster Car Seat Loaners
Reflective Address Numbering and Signs
Fire Extinguisher Servicing through Alpine Fire Extinguishing Co.
Note: All Medical responses, protocols and quality assurance are directly or indirectly supervised by the SJC Medical Program Director (MPD).
