NEWS ABOUT SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT NO. 3
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With mixed emotion, new station dedicated
Story and photos by Matt Pranger
posted 09/17/01
San Juan County Fire District No. 3 Fire Department's new headquarters is dedicated to "all the firefighters who've given in the line of duty and all the others who rush in to save lives," said Chief Bill McLaughlin during an open house Saturday, Sept. 15 in the new building at Mullis Street and Argyle Avenue.
McLaughlin singled out the emergency workers who died while responding to the attack on the World Trade Center Sept. 11. "I'm very happy we're raising the flag .... I'm very sad that we're only taking the flag to half-mast."
Rebecca Smith, San Juan Fire District No. 3 commissioner, noted the building will enable quicker responses and better training. She thanked the staff and the public for their support of the project.
"We still don't have everything, but donations are welcome," Smith said.
Greg Hertel, Port of Friday Harbor Commission chairman, said the port is pleased its property will benefit the community. The port, which plans to put a gate across Mullis for fire access to the Friday Harbor airport, is leasing the land to fire district.
Paid and volunteer firefighters guided tours of the facility that includes offices, meeting rooms, equipment storage, vehicle bays and a large kitchen. In exchange for being on-call overnight, a few volunteers might be provided with sleeping rooms.
Mullis Street fire station
taking shape
photo by Carolyn Spanier
posted 01/13/01
Fire District No. 3's new headquarters on Mullis Street is scheduled to be completed by the end of June. The facility will have administrative offices, three engine bays and a backup 911 and dispatch facility.
Bellingham company to build San Juan Island fire station for $1.29 million
San Juan Fire District No. 3 commissioners yesterday (June 16) awarded a contract for construction of the fire station on Mullis Street to Wellman and Zuck, Inc. The Bellingham firm bid $1.29 million dollars to build the fire station/office/training center. Construction is expected to begin in July and should be completed by January 2001, said Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin.
Fire district breaks ground for new station
Mullis Street fire station plans unveiled
posted 04/13/00
San Juan County Fire District No. 3's proposed fire station will house up to seven engines, sleep up to eight volunteer firefighters, and house the county's back-up E911 system. There is one thing it won't do. "It won't look like a Costco," said Fire Commission chair Albert Olsan.
The commission rejected the first set of drawings from the architect and asked for a better looking building. The plans which were unveiled Wednesday, April 12 in the district's office, show a 9,000 sq. foot building with a gabled roof over the second story sleeping quarters.
The project will go out to bid in the next two weeks. Preliminary estimates of the cost are $1.2 million. "We hope to break ground by July 1," said District No. 3 Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin. "If all goes well, we'll move in by Christmas."
The building will be located on port property on Mullis Street, south of Friday Harbor Building Supply. The district and port are in the process of negotiating a long-term lease.
As part of the lease agreement, the district wants to drill a well. The only well on the property now is a hand dug well. Since the site is outside Friday Harbor town limits, the town will not provide water to it.
"We plan to have underground water storage to use to refill tankers," said McLaughlin.
"It would store runoff water from the roof," said Olsan. The district is planning to incorporate other water conservation methods.
The chief and the commissioner pointed out several features of the site. Having the four dorm rooms will enable volunteer firefighters to get the engines out faster.
A multi-purpose room with an adjacent kitchen will be available for use by the community. Having the kitchen will enable the district to prepare food for firefighters involved in lengthy fires.
The back-up dispatch center for E911 will be nicer than the sheriff's dispatch office said McLaughlin. "We'll put in DSL lines. We'll have 20 telephone lines."
He envisions the dispatch center as the center of operations in the event of a county emergency. The facility will have a back-up generator and propane heat. Currently the county's back-up dispatch center is housed in the old Public Works Building on Guard Street.
The building will have storage areas, office space, and a maintenance shop. A storage area above the engine bays could be used by the Red Cross said Olsan.
"There are a number of closely related needs that this building addresses," said McLaughlin.
The station will be paid for over 15 years. The fire commissioners approved an increase in the fire tax levy in November. The $200,000 a year generated by the increase will pay for the station. The new rates became effective January 1, 2000. Taxes increased $44 per year on a $200,000 home.
The district plans to have drawings available for viewing in San Juan Island Library. For more information, contact the district at 360.378.5334.
