TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR FIRE

Related pages

The Municipal Research & Services Center information on its Web site about Interlocal Cooperation in Fire Services

Letters about this topic

Memos from Fire Chief Low and Councilmember Rosenfeld

List of stories about May 9 Friday Harbor fire

List of Historic Preservation stories

News about the Town of Friday Harbor

Fire rules questioned

posted 05/17/02
In the week since the fire which destroyed five Friday Harbor businesses, the smoldering dispute about fire coverage flared up again. The mayor of Friday Harbor threatened to have a councilmember removed from Town Fire Hall by the sheriff. And two Seattle television news crews returned to the island to document the discord.

Posters urging residents to attend the town council's May 16, 2002 meeting in order to protect the fire chief had been posted around town. The crowd exceeded the capacity of the council's meeting room. The fire engines were pulled out of the fire station to make way for the more than 80 people who attended the meeting. News crews from Channel 4 and 13 filmed a portion of the meeting and conducted interviews outside the Fire Hall.

An item on the agenda calling for a discussion of the town's policy of requiring District 3 to have four firefighters onboard before responding to a mutual aid call was interpreted by some firefighters as a threat to Friday Harbor Fire Chief Bob Low. Town Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld had asked for the discussion. He is concerned that the rule adversely affects response time. He said, "I think this is an important issue. I realize the cards are stacked against me on this body. Out of my frustration I am bringing this out in pubilc. It is a silly rule that could endanger lives."

Under the town's mutual aid agreement, Fire District No. 3 must wait until it has four firefighters together before it leaves the station to respond to a town call. Rosenfeld suggested a compromise where District 3 would be allowed to respond and self-stage until it had a full complement or until told to do something.

POSTER

SUPPORT FRIDAY HARBOR'S FIRE DEPARTMENT AT THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. AT THE TOWN FIRE HALL

WHY DOES HOWIE ROSENFELD TOWN COUNCILMAN HAVE A PERSONAL VENDETTA AGAINST THE CHIEF AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT?

Did Howie run for Town Council to try and close the department?

Was there a cover-up regarding the fire?

Please come to hear it for yourself

Councilmember Bill LaPorte said, "That's all very reasonable, I suggest the Mayor and Fitch (Town Administrator King Fitch) and Chief Low determine what is best. What you say is reasonable, what Bob says is reasonable. We need to go with the chief. We are paying him."

Mayor Gary Boothman said, "We could certainly discuss it. Howie is frustrated he hasn't gotten answers. Bob is the chief, he has the right to make decisions. in this particular case, he doesn't happen to agree with you. We've been through these discussions...The whole purpose is we run the town...: That is why we have professional staff. If they are not doing their job, take your concerns to King, or me. It is not the council's job to micromanage departments. You folks are primarily the big picture."

Councilmember Carrie Brooks said, "We are responsible for the safety of the town. We need to have all of the information. I don't understand why there is such a big difference. I want more information."

Boothman said, "People are hired by the town to make decisions."

Councilmember David Jones said Low's position on the requirement for a fully staffed response was the unanimous position of the fire departments officers. "It is not just Bob against the world. it isn't our job to micromanage the department. Howie's compromise is a good one. It should be given to the Mayor and King."

Low did not attend the portion of the meeting relating to the mutual aid requirement. His rationale for the requirement was outlined in a May 6, 2002 letter. Rosenfeld's concerns were distributed in writing to councilmembers.

Many of the town's firefighters dislike Rosenfeld who favors one fire department for San Juan Island. Rosenfeld asked Town Administrator King Fitch the day after the fire when the debriefing would be held. When Boothman heard that Rosenfeld wanted to attend the meeting he consulted firefighters. He said they told him they did not want the councilmember at the meeting. When Rosenfeld arrived for the Monday, May 14, 2002 debriefing, Boothman met him at the door and told him he was not welcome. When Rosenfeld asked what would happen if he entered, the mayor told him Sheriff Bill Cumming who was inside would escort him out of the building. Rosenfeld left.

At the May 16 council meeting, Rosenfeld asked if the mayor had gotten a legal opinion on whether he had the authority to bar a councilmember from the firehall. Boothman said he hadn't asked Town Attorney Don Eaton about it. Eaton responded that the debriefing would be considered a staff meeting and would not be open to the general public. Whether a councilmember could be barred from the meeting was something he would have to research.

After Rosenfeld was barred from the town fire dept's debriefing, he went to District No. 3's meeting which was held at the same time. Traditionally the two departments hold a joint debriefing after fighting a fire together. Chief Bob Low said, "It was my decision to do initial critiques separately, to allow firefighters to release pressure. They need to do it freely." He said a joint debriefing will be held later.

During the public access of the council meeting, several residents praised the firefighters for their work and urged the departments to set aside their differences. Jeff Brash said, "The bigger issue appears to be the safety of the town. People of the town are at risk because of the continual bickering."

David Werling representing San Juan Florist said,"It is time to stop the fighting, figure out what problems are going on and fix them."

Bob Greenway whose condominium complex burned four years ago and who has been a frequent critic of the town praised the fire department. "I can't say enough for those guys.It was pretty amazing," he said.

County Commissioner Darcie Nielsen was in attendance to deliver her monthly update to the council. She told them Governor Locke would be visiting Friday Harbor Monday, May 20. She praised everyone involved in the firefighting effort. She said, "Look at the pictures, you can't tell if the firefighter is from Friday Harbor, Fire District 3, Orcas or Lopez Island. It is not the time for this kind of angst. This is the time to stick together.

Friday Harbor Fire Chief Bob Low received a standing ovation when it was his turn to do his staff report. He thanked everyone and said the same ovation should be given to District No. 3 Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin. It was. Low said, "The community pulled together. It always does. When these things aren't happening, we have our differences. In a disaster this community always gets together. I am extremely proud of the fire fighters." He said he understood what Orcas Fire Chief Gary Bennett meant when he said it felt like the cavalry was coming when Friday Harbor helped at the Rosario fire. Orcas and Lopez firefighters helped fight the May 9 fire.

After the council's discussion of the response rule, Councilmember Bill LaPorte introduced a resolution praising Low and affirming the council's support for the fire chief. The town council unanimously adopted the following resolution:

Resolution 1277

A resolution by the council of the Town of Friday Harbor acknowledging the superb leadership and skill demonstrated by town Fire Chief Low and the brave actions of the Town of Friday Harbor Firefighters during the extremely destructive fire at First and Spring streets on May 9, 2002.

WHEREAS, the Town of Friday Harbor has a volunteer fire department made up of 31 firefighters and one paid Fire Chief, and

WHEREAS, a horrendous fire broke out on May 9, 2002 at 1st and Spring Streets and the Town of Friday Harbor Fire Department along with San Juan County Fire District #3 and the Lopez and Orcas Fire Department joined together in unison to fight the fire; and

WHEREAS, Fire Chief Low demonstrated outstanding leadership in commanding and coordinating the complex fire suppression efforts; and

WHEREAS, the Town's Fire Department along with the Firefighters from San Juan Island, Orcas and Lopez and even Pearl Island showed a high level of skill, cooperation, and tireless service, along with EMTs, Town personnel, and numerous others in emergency services; and

WHEREAS, even though the building housing Friday Harbor Grocery, the Hungry Clam, Friday Harbor Souvenirs and Gifts, San Juan Florist, and the Mystical Mermaid was destroyed, no lives were lost nor injuries sustained; and

WHEREAS, through the united efforts of all these dedicated volunteers, the adjoining historical buildings were saved and the Town waas rescued from any greater destruction; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Friday Harbor that it wishes to publicly express its appreciation and support for the fire fighting efforts put forth by Fire Chief Low, the Town of Friday Harbor Fire Department and the many emergency services personnel of San Juan County, and recognize Chief Low for his outstanding efforts and skill; and the Council further affirms and supports their desire to act in a unified manner with respect to matters concerning the Fire Department, Chief Low and his policies.

ADOPTED this 16th day of May 2002