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Orcas Island Fire Dept

San Juan Island Fire Department

Town of Friday Harbor Fire Dept.

San Juan County Fire District #4

Early morning fire destroys Lopez Island home

posted 07/26/01

Rick Galer photo

Lopez Firefighters were called out at 2;20 a.m. Wednesday, July 25 to fight a fire on Fisherman Bay Road. The home owned by the Sellers family was destroyed in the blaze.

Fire destroys home on Lopez

Rick Galer photo

posted 07/11/01

Lopez firefighters responded Tuesday afternoon, July 10 to a structure fire on Gillnetter Lane. A double-wide modular home was completely destroyed in the blaze.

New firefighters join Lopez Fire Dept.

posted 04/03/01
Nine firefighter recruits finished training April 1 at the State Fire Academy in North Bend. They join the other 22 firefighters of the Lopez Fire Department (San Juan County Fire District #4).

"This class of graduates gives the south end of Lopez, served by Engine 42, some much needed new firefighters," said Fire Chief Glenn Baker. "Prior to the class, that station was down to one person, but is now fully staffed."

Training included; Safety, PPE (personal protective equipment), SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus), Search and Rescue, fire company operations, hose streams and evolutions, fire behavior, ladders and ventilation, salvage and overhaul, Incident Command System, and the live fire training at the Academy.

On the return ferry trip from the Academy, the new firefighters where rewarded with pizza, department t-shirts, and the hard earned fire pager.

The new firefighters are:

• Noel Backus
• Fred Neilson
• Dawn Rachael
• Gerald Hancock
• Merlene McKenzie
• Patty Reser
• Tom Felber
• Dan Christopherson
• Monte Midkiff.

Training Officer Steve Whalen and Battalion Chief Glenn Baker were the instructors for the class which started in February. Lt. Larry Harris and Lt. Chris Collins assisted in the instruction, and are working towards becoming certified instructors. Firefighter Aaron Reed assisted, and helped make sure the instructors had the equipment needed at the proper place and time.

The fire department is always looking for more people. A fall recruit class is in the planning stages now. "If you desire to serve your community as a firefighter, give us a call or stop by," says Baker. Call Station 41 at 360.468.2991 for additional info.

Sharon Kivisto and Matt Pranger
can be reached:
phone: 360.378.3748      fax: 360.378.9748
by e-mail: news@sanjuanislander.com

by mail: San Juan Islander
PO Box 1118
Friday Harbor, WA 98250 USA

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