Stuart Island Owner

This is a message from Jordan Pollack, our Outer Island Fire Department Division Chief –

All:

Please join me in recognizing four individuals who have been instrumental in the development of our Outer Island Brigade Program.
In the initial weeks of taking the reins of this program, I spent a fair amount of time on the telephone listening to history, concerns, and ideas around the development of the brigade program. The input from these individuals is what initially allowed me to formulate a solid plan with which to move forward.
First and foremost, I want to recognize Bob Brunkow and Bruce Becker of Stuart Island. These two gentlemen have both put a major amount of time, energy, and thought into what needs to happen for effective emergency response.
Bob representing the east side of Stuart, housed the first SJIFR response vehicle (Brush 3742), along with developing his own emergency response cache of equipment for responders. He played a major role in initiating the first years of response along with moving this program forward and being a major champion for its development.

Bruce has been a major champion working closely with Bob, lobbying for right sized services for Stuart Island and beyond. Reaching out to islanders, fire department managers, and other agencies, he continues today to play a key role. Bruce was the first to step up as one of our newly appointed brigade coordinators, and has also accepted the role of our Fire Regulation Liaison.
Two other gentlemen have been instrumental in getting this program moving forward in this critical first year of development. Albert Foster and Rhys Spoor, both also of Stuart Island.
Albert, a self-proclaimed relative newcomer to the island (three years) has been 100% dedicated to development of wildfire readiness. He has been passionate about clearing around his own structures, attended the most recent 32 hour Wildland Fire School held by SJIFR, and been present at most every brigade training held this summer. Albert purchased a Q-Tac firefighting trailer for Stuart West, mirroring Brush 3742 for ease of use for all brigade members. He also purchased a number of backpack pumps for wildfire, ensuring that all interested trained members had one at their disposal. Lastly, Albert took on improving the mapping for Stuart Island and ultimately networking with the county mapping folks (GIS), ‘lighting the fire’ for this essential element, including focus on clearly designated helicopter landing zones, docks, water sources, etc.
Rhys was not only quick to step up as the Stuart East brigade coordinator, but has been running strong with the leadership role since. Over the past couple months he has recruited some 25-30 community members to get involved, with most all attending training sessions. Most recently he purchased a dozen wildland firefighting tools for the westside cache to get it up to speed. Rhys shared with me that his passion is somewhat rooted in his upbringing, his dad a local volunteer firefighter involving him at a young age.
Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to honor you and present certificates of appreciation to each. I recognized you all at this past weekend’s training on Stuart, and shortly will present you each with certificates in person.
We have accomplished a lot this year in a short period, with major support from our administration also. Thank you all for your part in bringing this essential program to fruition, it is a pleasure and honor working with each of you. I look forward to our continued collaboration as this program progresses.

Jordan Pollack, Division Chief

San Juan Island Fire-Rescue

Outer Island Division

jdollack@gmail.com

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