Topic: Safety
Letters
Written on January 29, 2020 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
Patti Wickham and Dave Robison write to share this info with you about why Proposition 1 is so important for islanders… As peaceful and serene as our island living is, there is a disaster looming right under our noses. The EMS radio communication system is limited, archaic and highly vulnerable to failure. This is the Continue Reading
Transition San Juan Island: An Update
Written on January 24, 2020 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
First, we extend our sincere appreciation for the attentive and engaged turnout at the Mullis Center on January 12! A quiet Sunday afternoon among busy families, threats of snowy roads and of course the Seahawks playoff game notwithstanding, about 65 of you responded to our invitations. We were enthused by our smiling friends from Lopez Continue Reading
Wilderness First Responder Training
Written on January 21, 2020 at 7:10 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan Island EMS is offering Wilderness First Responder Training (WFR), February 10 – 19 at Camp Orkila on Orcas Island. This training is the perfect course for anyone working in a position of leadership in an outdoor setting or for individuals who want a high level of wilderness medical training for extended personal backcountry Continue Reading
Strong Winds Today
Written on January 15, 2020 at 7:22 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s some news from SJI Fire & Rescue… Plenty of snow fell overnight – if you don’t need to be on the road, please stay home until road conditions improve. Besides the snow, remember there are plenty of icy patches under the snow too. Good news today is that temperatures will be rising. Bad new Continue Reading
Island Senior: Surviving Winter Storms
Written on January 15, 2020 at 5:47 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… We islanders enjoy what is normally a mild climate but every once in a while we get blasted with a winter storm. If you’ve lived here for a while you have stories to tell of power outages, frozen pipes, Continue Reading
Continuity and Emergency Planning
Written on January 14, 2020 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County DEM is hosting a one day no-cost training on continuity and emergency planning for small businesses. When disasters strike, small and medium sized businesses often endure the worst of the impacts. In the islands, our geographic isolation and economic reliance on a few key industries make the challenge even greater. This no-cost Continue Reading
Winter Storm Coming
Written on January 13, 2020 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
This just in from OPALCO… Are you ready for the winter storm blowing in? We are looking at some some serious cold coming our way this week. Please be prepared and look out for your neighbors! Make sure you have your phone charged up, fill up your gas tank in your car, and if you Continue Reading
Transition San Juan Island
Written on January 9, 2020 at 1:43 pm, by Tim Dustrude
We all know of “20-20 hindsight”, but what about 2020 foresight? In many ways we are in a far more precarious state, and highly susceptible to disruption out here on the islands, than our comfortable lives portray. Dependable and affordable electricity, disproportional importation of food stuffs and a lack of capacity for local recycling and Continue Reading
Get Your Boater Education Card
Written on January 7, 2020 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Friday Harbor Power Squadron will be offering “America’s Boating Course” at Skagit Valley College on 4 Sunday afternoons – January 12, 19, 26 and February 2nd from 1:00-4:00 PM. (note: the last class on Feb. 2nd (SuperBowl Sunday) can be rescheduled if the class desires). This is a basic comprehensive course covering all aspects Continue Reading
Severe Weather Shelter
Written on January 6, 2020 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
Local Severe Weather Shelter is prepared for upcoming freezing temperatures The United Way of San Juan County’s Severe Weather Shelter Team is prepared to be open for upcoming forecasted freezing temperatures starting next week. Volunteer hosts have been notified, and the team is going to do everything possible to ensure the criteria for this temporary Continue Reading
SJIEMS in 2019
Written on December 21, 2019 at 8:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
The following press release was submitted by SJI EMS… As we close out 2019, we thought we would spend some time discussing some of the highlights of the year for San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services (SJI EMS). Expansion of Paramedicine Program One of the important programs that SJI EMS has expanded is our pioneering Continue Reading
Heavy Rain in the Forecast for Later This Week
Written on December 18, 2019 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
While flood impacts in the islands are much less than for our mainland neighbors, every few years the islands get enough rain to cause localized flooding- especially in our more “urban” areas. With a chance of heavy rain in the forecast for later this week, now is a good opportunity for home and business owners Continue Reading
Honoring Outgoing EMS Board Members
Written on December 5, 2019 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
The following announcement was submitted by Nathan Butler, public information officer for SJI EMS… On November 26, 2019, the staff of San Juan Island EMS honored outgoing Board members with a special presentation. Outgoing Board members Mark Schwinge, Michael Edwards, Warren Appleton, and Rebecca Smith were all in attendance. Though they were also honored at Continue Reading
Letters
Written on December 1, 2019 at 5:47 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County Fire District 3 Chair, Commissioner Bob Jarman, shares the following letter to the commissioners of San Juan Island Public Hospital District #1… Honorable Board Members: San Juan Island Fire & Rescue Commissioners wish to congratulate the newly elected Public Hospital District Commissioners as you are sworn in and begin the learning curve Continue Reading
Construction Work Means Temporary Trail Closure
Written on November 11, 2019 at 7:05 am, by Tim Dustrude
By Louise Dustrude – Construction of the new American Camp Visitor Center is under way and it is expected to continue through August 2020. In addition to the new building there will be improvements to the parking area, a new access road from farther east along Cattle Point Road, and some ADA pathways in the Continue Reading
Firefighters Update
Written on November 4, 2019 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
UPDATE: Deployed San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Firefighters at Massive California Kincade Wildfire FRIDAY HARBOR, WA — Four San Juan Island Fire and Rescue (SJIF&R) firefighters have been deployed as part of a western Washington regional strike team responding to the massive northern California Kincade wildfire disaster in Sonoma County. The deployed regional strike Continue Reading
Going to California
Written on October 30, 2019 at 7:47 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Joins Multiple State Fire Agencies Deploying to Massive California Wildfires Four San Juan Island Fire and Rescue (SJIF&R) firefighters have been deployed as part of a western Washington regional strike team responding to the massive northern California Kincade Fire disaster in Sonoma County. SJIF&R Chief Norvin Collins said, “Our Continue Reading
Severe Weather Shelter Volunteer Meeting
Written on October 9, 2019 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
The weather is getting cold once again, so United Way of SJC and other supporters are pleased to respond to you, the town of Friday Harbor, with the “Out of the Cold” Severe Weather Shelter Program, offering temporary shelter for families and individuals during our coldest months. The shelter will operate on days of severe Continue Reading
San Juan County Fire Districts Awarded Regional FEMA Grant
Written on October 1, 2019 at 9:13 am, by Tim Dustrude
The four fire districts of San Juan County have received a regional Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to replace aging personal protective equipment for firefighters and increase compatibility between agencies, maximizing mutual aid throughout our islands while reducing costs to our tax payers. FEMA awarded $923,115 from the Assistance to Firefighters grant to the Continue Reading
IOSA Looking for Skilled Volunteers
Written on September 18, 2019 at 8:56 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA) is Looking for Skilled Volunteers As part of an ongoing revitalization effort, the Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA) is looking for a small number of community minded islanders to get involved in protecting the islands from the impacts of oil spills. Over 2019, a large group of IOSA volunteers Continue Reading
Free Shred Event
Written on September 13, 2019 at 9:09 am, by Tim Dustrude
This just in… Islander’s Bank is holding a Free Shred and Customer Appreciation Event TODAY (Friday, Sep. 13th) starting at 11:00. It’s happening at their Friday Harbor branch on the corner of Blair Avenue and Park Street. The event will go until 1:00 pm or until the shred truck is full, whichever comes first. Shredding Continue Reading
Letters
Written on January 29, 2020 at 5:40 am, by Tim Dustrude
Patti Wickham and Dave Robison write to share this info with you about why Proposition 1 is so important for islanders… As peaceful and serene as our island living is, there is a disaster looming right under our noses. The EMS radio communication system is limited, archaic and highly vulnerable to failure. This is the Continue Reading
Transition San Juan Island: An Update
Written on January 24, 2020 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
First, we extend our sincere appreciation for the attentive and engaged turnout at the Mullis Center on January 12! A quiet Sunday afternoon among busy families, threats of snowy roads and of course the Seahawks playoff game notwithstanding, about 65 of you responded to our invitations. We were enthused by our smiling friends from Lopez Continue Reading
Wilderness First Responder Training
Written on January 21, 2020 at 7:10 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan Island EMS is offering Wilderness First Responder Training (WFR), February 10 – 19 at Camp Orkila on Orcas Island. This training is the perfect course for anyone working in a position of leadership in an outdoor setting or for individuals who want a high level of wilderness medical training for extended personal backcountry Continue Reading
Strong Winds Today
Written on January 15, 2020 at 7:22 am, by Tim Dustrude
Here’s some news from SJI Fire & Rescue… Plenty of snow fell overnight – if you don’t need to be on the road, please stay home until road conditions improve. Besides the snow, remember there are plenty of icy patches under the snow too. Good news today is that temperatures will be rising. Bad new Continue Reading
Island Senior: Surviving Winter Storms
Written on January 15, 2020 at 5:47 am, by Peggy Sue McRae
Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… We islanders enjoy what is normally a mild climate but every once in a while we get blasted with a winter storm. If you’ve lived here for a while you have stories to tell of power outages, frozen pipes, Continue Reading
Continuity and Emergency Planning
Written on January 14, 2020 at 5:46 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County DEM is hosting a one day no-cost training on continuity and emergency planning for small businesses. When disasters strike, small and medium sized businesses often endure the worst of the impacts. In the islands, our geographic isolation and economic reliance on a few key industries make the challenge even greater. This no-cost Continue Reading
Winter Storm Coming
Written on January 13, 2020 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
This just in from OPALCO… Are you ready for the winter storm blowing in? We are looking at some some serious cold coming our way this week. Please be prepared and look out for your neighbors! Make sure you have your phone charged up, fill up your gas tank in your car, and if you Continue Reading
Transition San Juan Island
Written on January 9, 2020 at 1:43 pm, by Tim Dustrude
We all know of “20-20 hindsight”, but what about 2020 foresight? In many ways we are in a far more precarious state, and highly susceptible to disruption out here on the islands, than our comfortable lives portray. Dependable and affordable electricity, disproportional importation of food stuffs and a lack of capacity for local recycling and Continue Reading
Get Your Boater Education Card
Written on January 7, 2020 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Friday Harbor Power Squadron will be offering “America’s Boating Course” at Skagit Valley College on 4 Sunday afternoons – January 12, 19, 26 and February 2nd from 1:00-4:00 PM. (note: the last class on Feb. 2nd (SuperBowl Sunday) can be rescheduled if the class desires). This is a basic comprehensive course covering all aspects Continue Reading
Severe Weather Shelter
Written on January 6, 2020 at 5:43 am, by Tim Dustrude
Local Severe Weather Shelter is prepared for upcoming freezing temperatures The United Way of San Juan County’s Severe Weather Shelter Team is prepared to be open for upcoming forecasted freezing temperatures starting next week. Volunteer hosts have been notified, and the team is going to do everything possible to ensure the criteria for this temporary Continue Reading
SJIEMS in 2019
Written on December 21, 2019 at 8:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
The following press release was submitted by SJI EMS… As we close out 2019, we thought we would spend some time discussing some of the highlights of the year for San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services (SJI EMS). Expansion of Paramedicine Program One of the important programs that SJI EMS has expanded is our pioneering Continue Reading
Heavy Rain in the Forecast for Later This Week
Written on December 18, 2019 at 5:48 am, by Tim Dustrude
While flood impacts in the islands are much less than for our mainland neighbors, every few years the islands get enough rain to cause localized flooding- especially in our more “urban” areas. With a chance of heavy rain in the forecast for later this week, now is a good opportunity for home and business owners Continue Reading
Honoring Outgoing EMS Board Members
Written on December 5, 2019 at 5:44 am, by Tim Dustrude
The following announcement was submitted by Nathan Butler, public information officer for SJI EMS… On November 26, 2019, the staff of San Juan Island EMS honored outgoing Board members with a special presentation. Outgoing Board members Mark Schwinge, Michael Edwards, Warren Appleton, and Rebecca Smith were all in attendance. Though they were also honored at Continue Reading
Letters
Written on December 1, 2019 at 5:47 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County Fire District 3 Chair, Commissioner Bob Jarman, shares the following letter to the commissioners of San Juan Island Public Hospital District #1… Honorable Board Members: San Juan Island Fire & Rescue Commissioners wish to congratulate the newly elected Public Hospital District Commissioners as you are sworn in and begin the learning curve Continue Reading
Construction Work Means Temporary Trail Closure
Written on November 11, 2019 at 7:05 am, by Tim Dustrude
By Louise Dustrude – Construction of the new American Camp Visitor Center is under way and it is expected to continue through August 2020. In addition to the new building there will be improvements to the parking area, a new access road from farther east along Cattle Point Road, and some ADA pathways in the Continue Reading
Firefighters Update
Written on November 4, 2019 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
UPDATE: Deployed San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Firefighters at Massive California Kincade Wildfire FRIDAY HARBOR, WA — Four San Juan Island Fire and Rescue (SJIF&R) firefighters have been deployed as part of a western Washington regional strike team responding to the massive northern California Kincade wildfire disaster in Sonoma County. The deployed regional strike Continue Reading
Going to California
Written on October 30, 2019 at 7:47 am, by Tim Dustrude
San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Joins Multiple State Fire Agencies Deploying to Massive California Wildfires Four San Juan Island Fire and Rescue (SJIF&R) firefighters have been deployed as part of a western Washington regional strike team responding to the massive northern California Kincade Fire disaster in Sonoma County. SJIF&R Chief Norvin Collins said, “Our Continue Reading
Severe Weather Shelter Volunteer Meeting
Written on October 9, 2019 at 5:45 am, by Tim Dustrude
The weather is getting cold once again, so United Way of SJC and other supporters are pleased to respond to you, the town of Friday Harbor, with the “Out of the Cold” Severe Weather Shelter Program, offering temporary shelter for families and individuals during our coldest months. The shelter will operate on days of severe Continue Reading
San Juan County Fire Districts Awarded Regional FEMA Grant
Written on October 1, 2019 at 9:13 am, by Tim Dustrude
The four fire districts of San Juan County have received a regional Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to replace aging personal protective equipment for firefighters and increase compatibility between agencies, maximizing mutual aid throughout our islands while reducing costs to our tax payers. FEMA awarded $923,115 from the Assistance to Firefighters grant to the Continue Reading
IOSA Looking for Skilled Volunteers
Written on September 18, 2019 at 8:56 am, by Tim Dustrude
The Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA) is Looking for Skilled Volunteers As part of an ongoing revitalization effort, the Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA) is looking for a small number of community minded islanders to get involved in protecting the islands from the impacts of oil spills. Over 2019, a large group of IOSA volunteers Continue Reading
Free Shred Event
Written on September 13, 2019 at 9:09 am, by Tim Dustrude
This just in… Islander’s Bank is holding a Free Shred and Customer Appreciation Event TODAY (Friday, Sep. 13th) starting at 11:00. It’s happening at their Friday Harbor branch on the corner of Blair Avenue and Park Street. The event will go until 1:00 pm or until the shred truck is full, whichever comes first. Shredding Continue Reading