Meet Your Volunteer Firefighters

Ken and Dorothy Baker, SJI Fire/Rescue Major Emergency Response Team (MERT) volunteers – Sheila Harley photo

Sheila Harley, Public Information Officer of SJI Fire/Rescue shares this month’s Volunteer Firefighter Column…

Ken and Dorothy, Major Emergency Response Team (MERT) volunteers of Cape San Juan Station 32, are pictured at their fire station in front of the Emergency HELP box they test monthly with San Juan Dispatch.

However, they and several other volunteers on the island who are within walking distance of their fire stations, have also been trained to open these stations in the event of a major disaster (such as a tsunami or an earthquake) which may cut off all communications on the island or leave homes uninhabitable.

The MERT volunteers will set up a communication spot at their station where residents could come to get/leave information to be used when emergency responders arrive. Soon, ham radios will be installed at each fire station which will involve the SJC Amateur Radio Society. This will greatly enhance communications in a major emergency.

Ken and Dorothy, both retired musicians who are very active in the musical scene on the island, first heard about MERT in 2012 from a friend and thought it was something they could do to help out their community. They live within two minutes walk of Station 32 which is a requirement for each MERT volunteer in his/her neighborhood.

Dorothy says; “It is just nice to volunteer to do something important in the community. At this point in time it has been no big deal to just walk to the fire house and phone dispatch.”

They are both senior citizens and say that there isn’t too much that they can do in the way of really active work, but this they can do and they know it can be a very important job. They are good partners and keep each other on track.

Presently, Station 34 at Sunset Point needs MERT volunteers. Interested persons should contact sheilaharley769 [@] gmail.com.

San Juan Island Fire & Rescue welcomes all interested men and women ages 16 years and above to drop by the Mullis Street Station and make an appointment to see what we are all about. We offer some fun ancillary positions. Look on line at www.sjifire.org for lots of good information. Or you can view our Facebook page.  Our phone nmber is (360) 378-5334. We would be pleased to talk with you.

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