South Whidbey Fire/EMS helped the community collect over 350 pounds of food and $1,250 in checks for Good Cheer Food Bank during “Santa’s Drive-Thru” held this month. A holiday tradition since 1995, the team of staff and volunteers devised a streamlined drive-thru at the Bayview station for the South Whidbey community on Dec. 10-12. Over the course of three nights, more than 260 vehicles, 470…

This month, South Whidbey Fire/EMS welcomes five new Emergency Management Technicians (EMTs): Gabrielle Renville, Suzanne Reynolds, Nicole Helseth, Nicole Hagen and Clay O’Brien.

Two months ago you gave us your overwhelming support for our levy lift question for which we are very grateful We are already making changes to im-prove the level of service we provide and secure nec-essary tools to help lower our insurance ratings.

 A holiday tradition since 1995, the team at South Whidbey Fire/EMS have devised a safe and streamlined way for the South Whidbey community to experience Santa’s Sleigh this year. Instead of visiting communities each evening over the course of a week, a drive-thru set up at Bayview Fire Station, 5579 Bayview Road is planned for Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 10-12.

Wildfire season is upon us, but help is available to keep Washington safe and working.

OUTDOOR BURNING BAN
IN ISLAND COUNTY, WASHINGTON
TYPE II BURN BAN IN EFFECT
AS OF 4:00 PM, September 9, 2020
NO OUTDOOR BURNING OF NATURAL DEBRIS – EVEN WITH A PERMIT.

South Whidbey Fire/EMS is seeking formal bids from qualified firms to provide one or more of the following SEPARATE and INDEPENTDANT contracts at our district properties located in South Whidbey. Interested firms should visit our web site  for complete bid specification, appropriate forms and locations for each project bids are being requested for.

Langley, WA – As concerns about Climate Change increase, South Whidbey Fire/EMS has taken steps to reduce its emissions, conserve energy and protect natural resources on the island. The fire district has been a leader in these areas for over a decade, and wants the community to know the actions it has taken to be a good steward of the environment.

South Whidbey Fire/EMS welcomes four graduates of the fire academy this month: Heather Zuzel and Clay O’Brien (Station 33 – Maxwelton), Nicole Hagen (Station 35 – Saratoga) and Blake Benenati (Out of District). This was a combined academy with North Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue, who welcomes nine new members.

OUTDOOR BURN BAN IN ISLAND COUNTY
TYPE I BURN BAN IN EFFECT AS OF 12:00 PM, July 24, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE

Despite COVID-19, our emergency responders are doing a great job of protecting our community and themselves when they go on calls. Their professionalism means that we’ve had no exposures, but it’s still difficult to respond to calls and then be isolated in our home lives. We miss the daily interaction with you for non-emergency events, like Open Houses. The pandemic, however, has shown all of us…

Langley, WA –South Whidbey Fire/EMS is hosting two virtual meetings to answer questions about its Fire Levy lid lift request on the August 4 Primary Election ballot. If approved, funding would be used to replace emergency apparatus, and hire up to eight full-time firefighter/EMTS to respond to higher call volumes.

Lid Lift Proposed for August Primary Election Ballot

Spending time in outdoor spaces is important to maintain mental and physical health, especially during this public health crisis. New “Recreate Responsibly” guidelines were just established by a statewide coalition to offer a starting point for getting outside and enjoying nature https://www.recreateresponsibly.org/

June 11th, 2020 5:30pm

PUBLIC NOTICE

South Whidbey Fire/EMS passed its independent audits for financial and accountability practices. The reports can be found on the Washington State Auditor’s website at www.sao.wa.gov/reports-data/audit-reports. The audit is required every two years, and this current report covers the Fire District’s practices from 2017-2018.

PUBLIC NOTICE

April 24, 2020

Board of Fire Commissioners to Meet on Lid Lift Resolution

April 24th, 2020 10:00am

FREELAND, WA — South Whidbey Fire/EMS honored volunteer fire fighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) at its annual awards dinner earlier this year at Useless Bay Golf and Country Club. The evening opened with the presentation of the colors by Naval Sea Cadets and the Bellingham Pipes and Drums.

Langley, WA – South Whidbey Fire/EMS wants to update community members about what it is doing to keep families and first responders safe during the coronavirus, or “COVID-19” outbreak. The Fire District believes that it could be fighting the virus through the summer.

South Whidbey Fire/EMS welcomes aboard Terry Ney, the new Deputy Chief of Operations. Ney filled the position vacated by Mike Cotton in January.

South Whidbey Record – March 3, 2020

We know you are concerned about Novel coronavirus (COVID-19). South Whidbey Fire/EMS, your community first responders, are taking this disease very seriously and we are prepared. A good source for additional and accurate information is the Department of Health website https://www.doh.wa.gov/

Measure Could Be on August Primary Election Ballot

Clinton resident Lawrence Metz begins a two-year term as fire commissioner for South Whidbey Fire/EMS, filling a position vacated earlier this month. Metz was selected at a special meeting on February 24, following interviews of four candidates.Metz brings a wealth of experience to the position. He was a firefighter with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, assigned to Los Angeles harbor. In fact…

South Whidbey Fire/EMS seeks a new fire commissioner to fill the position vacated by Adrienne Hawley.

Mike Noblet begins a six-year term as a Fire Commissioner for South Whidbey Fire/EMS. He replaces retiring Commissioner Kenon Simmons whose term expired in 2019 after 38 years of service with the department.

Plan Identifies Need for Personnel and Apparatus Replacement

Langley, WA – South Whidbey Fire/EMS reports that call volumes for 2019 dipped slightly due to better weather. The agency responded to 2,545 emergency calls compared to 2,697 in 2018. (Seventy-seven percent of all calls in 2019 were for emergency medical service.) However, calls are up 12 percent overall since 2014 and the agency is struggling.