Fire Department
WHAT: The South Whatcom Fire Authority (SWFA) is a publicly-funded Fire Protection District
providing fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the South
Whatcom region which includes Geneva/Sudden Valley (WCFD2), Chuckanut
(WCFD6), Lake Samish (WCFD9) and Yew Street Road (WCFD10). It's
mission is the protect lives and property from fire or injury through an aggressive fire and accident prevention program, and to
ensure a state of operational readiness for response to, and mitigation
of, any emergency incident when requested.
WHEN: Beginning in January 2009, Basic Life Support Transport Services (BLS) in Whatcom county changed dramatically. These changes were mandated when voters passed the 2005 EMS Sales Tax Initiative. BLS emergencies have now become the sole responsibility of the individual fire districts instead of Medic 1 (Medic 1 will still provide paramedic or Advanced Life Support for the most serious emergencies, such as a heart attack or life threatening trauma.
In 2010, under a special appropriation from the SWFA commissioners, a specially trained Water Rescue Team (WRT) for emergency responses was established and equipment was purchased for use on Lake Samish.
This included personnel trained at 4 different levels:
- WRT-Awareness: all department personnel trained to provide shore based rescue
- WRT-Responder: select personnel trained for in-water rescue (advanced lifeguard and search skills)
- WRT- Technician: personnel trained to operate craft and design/engineer our rescue operations
- WRT-Leaders: advanced personnel who are our Specialist/Instructors for the WRT
The new equipment includes:
- Shore Based water rescue equipment for quick recovery and search operations
- Dry Suits to allow year round response in all weather conditions
- Rapid deployment Achilles Fire-Rescue inflatable with 15hp outboard motor
- Hypothermia Kits designed for treating victims removed from the cold water
- Specialized Ice Rescue Equipment for circumstances where some one has fallen through the ice
LSA ACTION: The LSA and Fire Department have worked together on various projects over the years. Some of these include:
- Triathlon/Open Water Swim - Annual event held in August to help sponsor purchasing additional equipment for the Fire Department.
- Litter Pickup
- Reflective Address Sign - helps Fire/Police/Emergency find your home quickly & easily.
- Emergency Contact Magnet - a refrigerator magnet that provides each residence with quick and easy access to information on actions to take in the event of an emergency in the Lake Samish area.
- Emergency Siren Alert System - we have added two yearly test dates: the last Saturday in both May and October, at noon. Mark Your calendar! When you hear the siren on these test dates, this would be a good time to recheck your magnet and familiarize yourself with theinstructions, as if this was a real emergency. Please contact the Fire Authority at 360-676-8080, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday if you have any concerns or questions regarding this testing.
STATUS: In 2010 District Chief Dave Ralston gave a summary of changes to LSA members at the annual Business Meeting.
The SWFA regular monthly meetings are the second Wednesday of each month and are held at 3:00 pm at Geneva Fire Station, 4518 Cable Street.
LSA CONTACT: Joan Ellsworth, 756-7577
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- South Whatcom Regional Fire Authority
- Whatcom County Fire District #2
- Lake Samish Fire Department (old website and old information)
* If you are interested in becoming more involved with this issue please contact a current board member.
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