Hello fellow Stuart Islanders,
At our recent board meeting of the Stuart Island Airpark Association we were given a presentation by Norvin Collins, San Juan County Fire Chief, Karl Kuetzing, San Juan County EMS Chief and Nathan Butler from the Hospital District regarding the opportunity to be included into the San Juan Fire District.
This annexation proposal would provide both Fire and EMS services through the county. Presently we are receiving only EMS services. I have included a list of what this means and why I see this opportunity as good for all of us on the Island.
• EMS service is provided through the county presently at approximately .50 per $1000 assessed value of our properties. There is no fire coverage but DNR will come for wildfires but do not come for structural fires unless the forest is on fire.
• The proposal would put Fire and EMS under one command structure. The new system would cost an additional .50 per $1000 assessed value and comes with a commitment that the county would position equipment on the Island and provide maintenance and training for its use. We as residents would become a first line of defense with better equipment and training until either Fire or EMS arrived. With the proposal DNR would become secondary but would be called upon if the situation warranted as they have some assets especially for wildfires the county does not.
• The county has resources and expertise in these very basic and important safety services that we as individuals don’t have. There is an enthusiasm and passion from all of the individuals I have been talking with to help us add more safety and security to our fire suppression and emergency medical services.
• The current system of EMS only will be eliminated as an option. If we decide not to participate then services will still be available but individuals will be billed as individuals. There is a cost to these services and somebody has to pay it so it makes more sense to share the costs and be more efficient and effective.
There are two petitions one for land owners and one for registered voters. Basically if there is a 60% signature rate of the outer island residents then this proposal can be enacted sooner and without a general vote. If you do want to sign either or both petitions print either one on a single sheet of paper (this is really important or the signature will be invalid), fill out completely with Stuart address and send to the address below.
Norvin Collins, Fire Chief
1101 Mullis Street
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Individuals at the county are happy to answer questions and here is who to contact.
Norvin Collins, Fire Chief
(360) 378-5334
Karl Kuetzing, EMS Chief
(360) 298-1284
Nathan Butler, San Juan Co Hospital District
(360) 378-2857
This is a good thing for all of us. If anyone wants to talk, my mobile phone number is (206) 799-8386.
Rhys Spoor
President, Stuart Island Airway Park Board
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Here are links to the 2 different forms mentioned by Rhys..