Meet Your Volunteer Firefighter – Carolyn Hudson

Today we start a new monthly series, “Meet your volunteer firefighter”, written by Sheila Harley, Public Information Officer of the San Juan Island Fire Dept. And here is Sheila with our first firefighter…

January’s firefighter, Carolyn Hudson – Click for larger version – Tim Dustrude photo

Carolyn is the Administrative Assistant for San Juan Island Fire Rescue. She is the one you will most likely see when you get your burn permit at the office at 1011 Mullis Street. Carolyn is originally from Morton, Illinois and arrived on the Island in 1997. She began working part-time at the old fire office across from IPS in 1999. Her friend, Claire Vedder, was enrolled in the firefighting class so Carolyn decided to do it too. She completed that and went on to complete the wildland firefighting class.

Carolyn is also a working member of the Washington Incident Management Team 4. This means that when there is a very large fire somewhere in Washington, or beyond, she will be deployed, sometimes for weeks at a time, working in the finance section, keeping track of the costs of the fire.

Besides her regular duties here at the office, Carolyn works with children. She is involved with the Children’s Festival, the Easter Egg Hunt, the Safety Fair, the Children’s Safety House at the San Juan County Fair, and helping Susan and Peter Risser teach classes during Fire Prevention Week at the Elementary School. Many children remember her Dalmatian, Dottie, who would “Stop Drop and Roll” for the children, helping them learn the basics in case their clothing caught on fire. She, along with the Rissers, will, on invitation, come to businesses and civic meetings to teach the basics of using fire extinguishers. Carolyn Hudson, a paid employee, is an important part of San Juan Island Fire Rescue’s mission to protect life and property.

Sheila Harley
Public Information Offices
San Juan Island Fire

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