Kim Kimple

A communications outage left San Juan County Dispatch unable to hail Orcas Island Fire and Rescue personnel for several minutes during a double search and rescue effort on Mount Constitution Saturday night. The OIFR frequency went down following a power outage while rescue crews were on the mountainside attempting to locate a total of three […]

A new ambulance is on the frontlines of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue’s emergency response fleet. Originally slated to roll out early this year, getting the ambulance outfitted and ready for service was delayed due to COVID-19. After battling issues with aging vehicles, repeated mechanical failures and increasingly costly repairs, the agency was in desperate

Orcas Fire responded Sunday to reports of a wildland fire that resulted from a residential burn pile spreading out of control after a fuel can that was being used to accelerate the fire ignited. The small wildland fire was extinguished quickly. The homeowner then received education against using accelerants and was further reminded that residential

An Orcas Island family is safe and their home mostly unscathed after their dishwasher caught fire Wednesday morning.  The homeowner, who was sleeping in an adjacent room, was alerted to the fire when smoke detectors sounded throughout the home.  With a quick call to 9-1-1, the homeowner then safely extinguished the fire. Orcas Island Firefighters

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue would like to thank the community for the actions everyone is taking to help support community needs. In addition to social distancing measures, those who have been able to help provide food, shelter and other daily needs have also helped to reduce the possibility of a medical or other emergency

We need everyone’s help to Flatten The Curve and fight the spread of COVID-19.  Thank you to everyone for doing everything you can.  Thank you for thinking about the safety of others and for practicing social distancing. Thank you for looking after and checking in on your neighbors. Thank you for supporting local businesses that

Over the past month Orcas Island Fire and Rescue has been busy working to implement procedures for COVID-19 response, as well as do our part to limit the potential of community spread. With public and first responder safety being our first priority there are a number of precautions we will be taking throughout the course

San Juan County has a measure on the February 11th Special Ballot to improve Emergency Communications throughout the San Juan Island’s. Read on for more information on Proposition 1: WHY IS AN UPGRADE NEEDED?Current emergency radio communication in San Juan County faces two major issues.  Emergency radio coverage throughout San Juan County has many “dead