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PAST CHIEFS
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1970-1974 Chief Wes Janke was the first “paid” Fire Chief for the Orcas Island Fire Dept. He had 15-years experience with various departments. He installed first radio communications equipment, greatly improving firefighting and response times. He established regular drills and outfitted firefighters with a complete set of turnouts. He also felt strongly about fire prevention and presented programs to school children. He was an enthusiastic and by-the-book fire chief. He retired after 4 years.
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1974-1984 Chief Gordy Fox was hired from within the department with 7 years experience serving as a firefighter, department mechanic and assistant chief. He is credited with adding Emergency Medical Services. He continued to upgrade stations, equipment and apparatus. He purchased the first “foam units”, the first Class “A” Pumper. By 1984, the new Rosario Station had been completed, breathing apparatus was on every truck and each member was equipped with approved fire gear. The new EMS division had a state of the art Life Pak 5 monitor/defibrillator and a fully equipped new Horton Ambulance. Despite the turmoil surrounding the EMS program cost Chief Fox stood fast, insuring it became a permanent part of our district.
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1984-1989 Chief Ron Judson arrived from California as a career police/fire officer and quickly reorganized the officer core. A new improved drill schedule was issued and equipment updated. Crash rescue drills at the airport and more live burns ramped up skill levels. He was a strong believer in cross training. He took command of the EMS saga by reuniting firefighters, EMTs and paramedics.
Chief Judson also worked hard to restore and up grade communications by concentrating his efforts on Mt. Constitution. He brought 2 new tankers to replace the 6x6 military rig still in use. Then outfitted a Rescue Squad vehicle and signed the lease on a new Westsound Station. Chief Judson is responsible for lower fire insurance rates for all islanders by improving and upgrading water systems.
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1989-1992 Chief Dick Swartout brought improvements throughout the department with better safety standards, training and station upgrades. He insisted on drill attendance as part of remaining a member in good standing. He was also tasked with bringing the new “911 emergency phone system” to the island. Dispatch was handled locally and used local prefix. The new “911” access went into effect on June 1, 1990.
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1992-1995 Don Jensen was hired from Colinga, California with an impressive resume including 14 years of fire and emergency medical experience, grade school teacher, contractor and even woodworking.
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1995- 2003 Chief Gary Bennett joined in 1977 as a volunteer and passed through the ranks to Battalion chief, Training Officer and then acting chief in the gaps between coming and going District Chiefs. As soon as he was hired, Chief Bennett concentrated on repairing the fleet of apparatus in the way any man with a mechanic’s background would. “Get it running, make sure its safe and then focus on keeping each engine that way.” He then turned his attention to what he knew best – training. He concentrated efforts to raise the standards. Together with Bruce Brackett and his other officers, drills were once again structured with new standards and information.
He began the arduous task of updating the data system, vital to keeping the district moving smoothly. Chief Bennett is credited with the first Comprehensive plan and raising the funding to upgrade all apparatus as well as build 4 new stations – 3 of which were completed before he retired as the longest serving Orcas Fire Chief to date.
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