Port Angeles Fire Department

Port Angeles Fire Department 2015 Annual Report Port Angeles Fire Department 102 East 5 th Street Port Angeles, WA 98362 (360) 417-4655

CITY OF PORT ANGELES OFFICIALS 2015 DAN DI GUILIO MAYOR PATRICK DOWNIE DEPUTY MAYOR SISSI P. BRUCH PH.D. COUNCIL MEMBER BRAD COLLINS COUNCIL MEMBER DAN GASE COUNCIL MEMBER CHERIE KIDD COUNCIL MEMBER LEE WHETHAM COUNCIL MEMBER DAN MCKEEN CITY MANAGER

Contents A Message from the Chief...1 Public Safety Advisory Board...2 2015 Organizational Chart...3 Strategic Goals...5 Fire Department Goals...6 Goal Supported Accomplishments...8 Performance Measures...11 Divisional Reports...21 Photo courtesy of Jay Cline

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 1 A Message from Fire Chief Dubuc I am honored to present the 2015 Annual Report of the activities of the Port Angeles Fire Department. Last year, our report indicated that 2014 set a record as the busiest year in the history of the Department, a year when we responded to 4181 calls for service. Well, records are meant to be broken, and, unfortunately, 2015 did that we responded to 4464 calls for service during the year. Remember that although responding to calls is the primary job, it is only a small part of the story. Incredible amounts of effort are spent on constant training, ongoing fire prevention work, community involvement, equipment maintenance and station upkeep. I am constantly amazed by the sheer amount of work that is accomplished by the personnel of the Port Angeles Fire Department, and I am humbled by how they accomplish all of that work with an unparalleled degree of professionalism, compassion and care. These personnel are the best, they are second to none. I am incredibly proud of each and every member of this Department and I am grateful for their dedication to duty and community. This is a demanding profession and the job does not stay in the building when we leave. We bring the job home with us every day and I am tremendously grateful for the support of our families. The families of our career and volunteer personnel cope with constant interruptions and long hours away from home. I know that my wife is always there for me, and I continually hear comments from members of the Department who acknowledge the support they receive from home. We are in this together and we are stronger for it. I hope you enjoy the report! Ken Dubuc

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 2 Public Safety Advisory Board Chairman s Message, Public Safety Advisory Board The beauty of living in a small, rural town like Port Angeles, Washington, is the connectedness we feel with one another that just doesn t happen in a big city environment. I think we tend to take more responsibility for our community and for helping each other because it is clear to most of us that we are all in this together. In this community, rather than the mindset of somebody ought to do something about something or other. I see every day that we tend to think more along the lines of I can do something about something or other. We of the Public Safety Advisory Board share this mindset with so many folks who serve our great town. The police and fire professionals do so much with so little that we are fortunate for their dedication. They can t do it all though and that is where all citizens share in the responsibility to look out for one another and to support and assist those public safety professionals who largely are the protectors of our quality of life. We all, in reality, are those protectors and to the extent that we are willing to look out for each other and own our share of responsibility for our community, Port Angeles will continue to be a haven for us to live and prosper. Alan Barnard Chairman Public Safety Advisory Board

FLOATERS C SHIFT B SHIFT A SHIFT 2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 3 2015 Organizational Chart Career Personnel 2015 Organizational Chart Career Personnel Fire Chief Ken Dubuc Training Officer / Captain Keith Bogues 24 Years of Service Administrative Assistant Catherine Dewey Captain Lieutenant Firefighter - EMT Firefighter - Paramedic Firefighter - Paramedic Firefighter - Paramedic Jamie Mason 26 Years of Service Mike Sanders 21 Years of Service Pete Sekac 35 Years of Service Rob Gunn 19 Years of Service Mark Karjalainen 11 Years of Service Andrew Cooper 9 Years of Service Captain Lieutenant Firefighter Paramedic Firefighter - Paramedic Firefighter - Paramedic Firefighter - Paramedic Duke Moroz 26 Years of Service Kelly Ziegler 20 Years of Service Mel Twitchell 31 Years of Service John Hall 17 Years of Service Daniel Montana 10 Years of Service Jeremy Church 9 Years of Service Captain Lieutenant Firefighter - EMT Firefighter - Paramedic Firefighter - Paramedic Firefighter - Paramedic Terry Reid 30 Years of Service Kevin Denton 16 Years of Service Todd German 23 Years of Service Erik Sundin 12 Years of Service Bryant Kroh 10 Years of Service Doug Eaton 1 Year of Service 2015 Organizational Chart - Volunteer Personnel \ Lieutenant Jake Patterson 15 Years of Service Firefighter - Paramedic Tyler Bieker 5 Years of Service

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 4 2015 Organizational Chart Volunteer Personnel Mike Adamich Volunteer Captain 17 Years of Service Mike Hansen Volunteer Lieutenant 26 Years of Service Trevor Warren Volunteer Lieutenant 12 Years of Service Scott Jones Firefighter/EMT 23 Years of Service Allen Hunt Firefighter/Medic 11 Years of Service Philipp Kunze EMT 1 Year of Service Shaunna Olson EMT 2 Years of Service Travis McFarland Firefighter/Medic 7 Years of Service Amy Hopper Firefighter/Medic 6 Years of Service Jillian Munger EMT 2 Years of Service Troy Pearce Firefighter/EMT 1 Year of Service Kyle Flotto-Myers Firefighter/EMT 3 Years of Service Andrew Pittman Firefighter/EMT 3 Years of Service Chase Adamich Firefighter/EMT 1 Year of Service Oana Ivan EMT 1 Year of Service Matthew Williams Firefighter/EMT 3 Years of Service Tim Davis Firefighter/EMT 3 Years of Service Jonatha Ptak Firefighter 10 Mos of Service Jordan Kirsch Firefighter/EMT 1 Year of Service CJ Delatorre Firefighter/ EMT 3 Years of Service Phillip VanKessel EMT 7 Mos of Service Chelsea Krouse Firefighter/EMT 10 Mos of Service Tina Lee EMT 8 Mos of Service Vanessa Gase Recruit 7 Mos of Service

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 5 City of Port Angeles Strategic Goals: Public Safety All calls for assistance are responded to in a timely manner by highly trained personnel with necessary resources that are properly deployed. Appropriate disaster preparedness planning and training is provided for all levels of City Government. Complete interoperability is achieved through the appropriate provision of equipment and technology that enhances agency effectiveness and employee safety. Prevention and volunteer programs are an integral part of the public safety mission. Public, private and intergovernmental partnerships are actively pursued to maximize the effectiveness of public safety resources. Our Community is recognized as a safe place to live, work and play. We are known for excellent public safety services that are provided by well-trained, highly competent personnel.

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 6 Fire Department Goals: Focus Area: Preserving and Protecting Our Assets Physical Infrastructure Maintain facilities so that they are safe and close to original condition Financial Infrastructure Continually explore potential grant funding opportunities Explore the option of contracting out maintenance and repair of staff vehicles Implement cost-saving electronic medical billing Employee Infrastructure Provide training to maintain certifications in EMS and fire prevention Encourage and support firefighters to pursue college educations Enable career and volunteer personnel to attain 100% of mandated training Maintain number of personnel trained to conduct fire investigations Structure at the Land-based Marine Firefighter Training in North Bend, WA. Fire Department Goals: Focus Area: Strengthening Community Safety and Welfare Public Safety/Emergency Services Respond to calls for service in a timely manner with highly trained and compassionate personnel Provide responders with equipment and training to allow them to perform their mission effectively and safely Disaster preparedness, planning and training is provided to City government Participate in state and regional emergency management planning to allow for effective coordinated response to catastrophic events Maintain City Emergency Operations Center

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 7 Fire Department Goals Focus Area: Planning and Building for the Future Economic Development Continue to work with Planning and Economic Development to ensure that innovative, collaborative approaches are considered when dealing with proposed projects Partnerships Public, private and intergovernmental partnerships are actively pursued in order to maximize the availability of public safety resources Continue to explore cooperative service opportunities with the adjoining fire districts where operational, financial or organizational efficiencies can be achieved Build and maintain partnerships with the business community and public agencies to assist with the Fire Department mission Sustainability Continue to explore methods aimed at reducing unnecessary emergency responses both medical and fire Provide programs aimed at reducing the impact upon persons affected by emergency incidents Expand possibilities for increased community interaction through venues such as the County fair and community safety day

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 8 Goal Supported Accomplishments In 2015 the Port Angeles Fire Department purchased new station radios and equipment.

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 9 Okanogan Deployment 2015 The 2015 fire season was devastating, resulting in extraordinary losses throughout the State, with the Okanogan Region bearing the brunt of the damage. On August 20, 2015, the Port Angeles Fire Department received a request to send resources to help with the firefighting effort in the Okanogan Region and we are proud of the rapid response that the Department provided. Firefighter/EMT Pete Sekac; Lieutenant Kelly Ziegler and Firefighter/Medic John Hall A number of Port Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the fire and worked long hours under difficult conditions. The deployment took them away from their families for an extended period of time and their sacrifice is commendable. We are also very much aware of the fact that the effort of every single member of the Port Angeles Fire Department was required in order to accomplish this mission.

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 10 Many Port Angeles Fire Department personnel stepped up to work extra shifts, to assist with logistics and to prepare and restore equipment. Everything that was done contributed to the overall success of the deployment, and all of it indicated an exceptional sense of teamwork. Lieutenant Jake Patterson; Lieutenant Kelly Ziegler and Firefighter/Medic Mark Karjalainen These selfless efforts reflected well upon the Port Angeles Fire Department, the City of Port Angeles and the entire Port Angeles Community.

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 11 2015 Performance Measures Performance measures are used to gauge the Fire Department s program efficiency and effectiveness relative to a meaningful standard or baseline. These measures allow us to compare the department with other cities and other fire departments. In order to do this we group the measures into four categories: General Information Total number of calls for service Calls per day and calls per time of day Activities by type Sources of funding Fund allocation Spending and Staffing (Inputs) Staffing for all programs Spending for all Programs Work Load (Outputs) Average daily responses Average weekly callback responses Results (Outcome) Fires per 1,000 population Fire casualties Response times

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 12 2015 Performance Indicators General Information: Calls for Service 5,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE 4,427 4,141 4,000 3,251 3,330 3,720 3,635 3,432 3,446 3,552 3,658 3,760 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 4,427 calls in 2015 represents an average of 12.2 calls for service each day. Calls 2015 was the single busiest year for call volume in the history of the Port Angeles Fire Department. This equates to a 5.9% increase in number of calls over the previous year. INTERESTING FACT In 2005 The Port Angeles Fire Department ran 3,251 calls (73% of our current numbers) With the same staffing level.

568 631 624 629 646 645 684 2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 13 2015 Performance Indicators General Information: Calls Per Day and Per Time of Day CALLS PER DAY OF THE WEEK Calls S U N D A Y M O N D A Y T U E S D A Y W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y F R I D A Y S A T U R D A Y INTERESTING FACT In 2015 call volumes between the hours of noon and 1:00 PM saw the most significant increase in volume over 2014 by 32%. 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 INCIDENTS RESPONDED TO BY HOUR OF THE DAY # of Incidents

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 14 2015 Performance Indicators General Information: Activities by Type Special Incident Type Service Call False Alarm & False Call Good Intent Call Overpressure Rupture, Explosion, Overheat (No Fire) Fire Hazardous Condition (No Fire) Rescue & Emergency Medical Service Incident Major Incident Type # of Incidents % of Total Rescue & Emergency Medical Service Incident 3552 80.23% Service Call 350 7.91% Good Intent Call 264 5.96% False Alarm & False Call 137 3.09% Fire 64 1.45% Hazardous Condition (No Fire) 42.95% Special Incident Type 16.36% Overpressure Rupture, Explosion, Overheat (No Fire) 2.05% General Information Sources of Funding The total budget for the Fire Department in 2015 was $4,284,053. The Fire Department contributed 39.82% of its own budget or $1,705,853. The City s General Fund contribution to the Fire Department, less revenue generated, was $2,578,200.

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 15 2015 Performance Indicators General Information: Funding Allocation How the Funds are Allocated 10 111 Emergency Response 87% Management and Training 10% Fire Prevention 1% Volunteer Support 1% Facilities Maintenance 1% 87 Funds are allocated to one of five major functional areas: Emergency Response Emergency Readiness Fire Suppression Emergency Medical Services Technical Rescue Personnel Management and Training Includes Emergency Management Fire Prevention Volunteer Support Facilities Maintenance

1.2 1.16 1.15 1.14 1.7 1.64 1.76 1.84 2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 16 Performance Measures Spending and Staffing Staffing for All Programs Career firefighters per 1,000 Population PAFD Comparables 2012 2013 2014 2015 In 2015, In addition to a Fire Chief and Training Officer, the Port Angeles Fire Department had 20 career firefighters. Assuming a population of 19,256, with 22 career personnel, the ratio is 1.14 per 1,000 population. INTERESTING FACT Per 1,000 population The average number of career firefighters with the PAFD in 2005 was 1.50 The average number of career firefighters with the PAFD in 2015 was 1.14 Career firefighters per 1,000 Population utilizing comparable cities of Aberdeen, Mt. Vernon, Mukilteo and Tumwater. The average number of career firefighters per 1,000 population was 1.84 in 2013 and 1.64 in 2014. That average Increased to 1.76 in 2015. (Populations reflects census.gov)

$205.32 $208.00 $214.24 $224.62 $207.44 $221.83 $214.33 $222.74 $255.43 $300.18 2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 17 Performance Measures Spending and Staffing Spending for All Programs Cost Per Capita COST PER CAPITA PAFD Comparables 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2015, the cost per capita for fire protection and emergency medical services in Port Angeles was $222.74. This is based upon a total Departmental budget of $4,289,107 and a population of 19,256. The cities used as comparables were: Aberdeen, Mt. Vernon, Mukilteo and Tumwater. In 2015, the average cost per capita for these cities to provide fire protection and emergency medical services was $255.43. Photo courtesy of Jay Cline

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 18 2015 Performance Indicators Workload: Average Daily Responses 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 EMS FIRE Workload: Average Weekly Callback Responses 10 8 6 4 2 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 EMS Fire EMS Responses are in Orange, Fire Responses are in Red. Callbacks are those incidents that require volunteer or off-duty career personnel. For EMS incidents, callbacks are generally needed when calls for service overlap. For Fire incidents, these are generally larger or protracted incidents.

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 19 2015 Performance Indicators Results: Fires per 1,000 Population 4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 There were 3.48 fires per 1,000 population in 2015 Photo courtesy of Jay Cline

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 20 2015 Performance Indicators Results: Response Times For 2015, the average overall response time for all calls, from initial dispatch to arrival was 5:36 Time Standard Met? Actual Turnout Time 2 min 90% No 69.44% First Arriving Apparatus at Fire 8 min 90% Yes 6:46 min Full First Alarm Fire Response (14 or 15 people) 18 min 90% No N/A EMS Response 8 min 90% Yes 6:30 min Hazardous Materials (Operations) 8 min 90% Yes 5:46 min Technical Rescue (Operations) 8 min 90% Yes N/A Marine Response 28 min 90% Yes N/A Wildland Fire- First Engine 8 min 90% Yes 7:44 min The response times shown above include both urgent and non-urgent responses. Firefighters respond to a wide variety of situations, including medical emergencies, fires, traumatic injuries, rescues and hazardous materials incidents. The incidents are never scheduled, and the response required is often urgent. The common factor in all of these incidents is the requirement for the rapid response of trained personnel with adequate resources and equipment. Measuring this response time is a key to judging the performance of the Department. Positive outcomes are maximized when response times are reduced. Legislation requires that career fire departments establish response time standards and report those outcomes annually. The table above illustrates the response time standards that were adopted by the Port Angeles City Council in 2008, and whether those standards were met in 2015.

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 21 2015 Division Reports Training 2015 was the year of Cooperative Training for the Port Angeles Fire Department. Last year the Department spent many hours training with our Mutual- Aid partners. Mutual- Aid agreements allow area fire departments to mutually assist one another with personnel and equipment during an emergency incident. In recent times, fire departments are working together more and more to improve our interoperability and resources in the time of need. Live Fire Training A residential structure, scheduled for demolition by the Port of Port Angeles, was generously donated to the Department. Over the course of several months the building was utilized for firefighter training evolutions such as; Firefighter Self-rescue, Rapid Intervention Team, Search and Rescue, Roof Operations, and concluded with a Live Fire Training Exercise. Firefighters from Port Angeles, Clallam Fire Districts 2 & 4 participated in these evolutions. Land-based Marine Firefighter Training Port Angeles has a long maritime history and continues to play a major role as a port of call within the Puget Sound area. As the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) over the harbor, the Department faces constantly shifting challenges associated with dealing with an in harbor maritime incident. Our partnership with the Puget Sound Firefighting Commission gives us access to personnel, equipment and expertise from both public and private resources across the maritime industry. In 2015 as part of this association, we sent 10 personnel to specialized marine firefighting training at the Washington Fire Training Academy. Instruction topics included: CO 2 Extinguishment Operations Vessel (Ship) Dewatering Live Fire Attack involving flammable liquids Cutting and Forcible Entry using advanced techniques Vessel (Ship) Reconnaissance and Rapid Assessment

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 22 Emergency Medical Training The provision of Emergency Medical Services is an integral part of the modern fire service. Port Angeles Fire Department is a leader within Clallam County as a partner training facility. In addition to area fire departments, we also partner with Tacoma Community College, Peninsula Community College, National Medical Education Training Center, and Olympic Medical Center to provide Emergency Medical didactic and clinical training. 2015 saw 33 Emergency Medical Technicians, along with 3 Paramedic students receive training as part of the Department s commitment to providing training to area responders. Most have remained in the Port Angeles community as part of Clallam County Fire Districts 2, 3, 4, Port Angeles Fire Department, Olympic Ambulance and East Jefferson Fire & Rescue. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support training is a subject and case based approach designed to assist health care providers in acquiring the cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills needed in adult resuscitation. 15 advance life support providers received ACLS certification in 2015. Photo courtesy of Jay Cline Naloxone The Center for Disease Control reports that from 2000 to 2014, nearly half a million Americans died from drug overdoses, with an alarming 14 percent in 2014. Like the rest of the country, Port Angeles and Clallam County have not gone unscathed. Having noted a marked increase the Port Angeles Fire and Police Departments have been instrumental in developing a methodology and training process to allow personnel with minimal training to administer the lifesaving drug Naloxone. In 2015, all Port Angeles Fire and Police Department emergency responders received this lifesaving training, with Port Angeles Fire Department personnel administering Naloxone 21 times throughout the year.

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 23 2015 Division Reports Fire Prevention/ Inspection Fire inspections are an integral part of an overall fire prevention program. The majority of fire inspections are conducted by on duty fire suppression personnel. When fire fighters visit a local business to conduct a fire inspection they accomplish several objectives: The firefighters are meeting directly with the citizens who they serve. They provide a direct connection between the community and the Department, during a non-emergency event. These connections help foster a spirit of teamwork. The firefighters are identifying items that could potentially start a fire, contribute to the spread of a fire or endanger occupants. The prevention of fires not only protects people, it keeps businesses in business. The fire Department recognizes that as part of the community, we are essentially all in this together. We recognize that it is in our collective best interest to prevent fires and keep businesses operating safely. The firefighters are familiarizing themselves with the structures in the community, taking note of the type of construction, the ingress and egress points, the locations of utilities and the contents inside. All of these pieces of information can come into play when a fire officer is developing a strategy for mitigating an incident in a building. 2015 Inspection Activity 874 Total Inspections 9 Contstruction Final Inspections 86 Permit Inspections 30 Certificate of Occupancy Inspections

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 24 2015 Division Reports Fire Prevention/ Plan Reviews As a part of the overall prevention effort, the Fire Department conducts reviews of plans that are submitted for construction of various structures and systems. The plan review process ensures that the proposed project meets the requirements of the current edition of the International Building and Fire Codes, as well as applicable provisions within the City Municipal Code. The Department routinely reviews plans for structures, fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems and restaurant hood and duct suppression systems. In addition, the Department will assist the Planning Department by conducting reviews of proposed variances, subdivisions, parcel changes, street vacations and special event plans. 2015 Plan Review Activity 29 Building Plans Reviewed 26 Sprinkler Plans Reviewed 26 Fire Alarm Plans Reviewed 3 Hood and Duct Systems 6 Underground Tank Abandons 148 Building Application reviews

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 25 2015 Division Reports Fire Prevention/ Public Education Public Education is a critical element in any successful fire prevention program. Surely an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure and this is especially true when it comes to the cost effectiveness of fire prevention efforts. Public education about the causes and effects of fire is important for both young persons and adults, and it is a message that needs to be spread whenever possible. Firefighters are essentially doing fire prevention education every time they point out issues during fire inspections. The fire prevention message is also provided during tours of the fire station and at various community events throughout the year. Perhaps the single largest public education event we sponsor every year is Sparky Week. In 2015, we sponsored the 81st annual Sparky Thank you Firefighters. You have saved many people. Ps. You are better than Santa Week, an event where we travel to every grammar school in the City and collect all of the second-graders to bring them to the fire station for a fun and informative fire safety presentation.

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 26 2015 Division Reports Fire Prevention/ Fire investigations The Fire Department investigates all significant fires in order to determine where the fire originated, and when possible, what caused it. Fire investigations can be very labor intensive and, considering most investigations are taking place inside burned structures; they can be hazardous as well. It is important to investigate significant fires so that we can determine whether or not a crime may have occurred, but perhaps more importantly, once we know what caused a fire, we want to be able to take steps to prevent it from happening again. In order to ensure that significant fires are thoroughly investigated we work closely with police personnel, local and regional fire investigation teams and independent insurance investigators. Lieutenant Jake Patterson, FF/EMT Pete Sekac and FF/PM Mark Karjalainen have all had additional specialized fire investigation training and they are called upon to do the bulk of the significant investigations. Without doubt, the most difficult fire investigation in 2015 was that conducted in a single family dwelling on East Lopez Street. Early in the morning of September 11, 2015, firefighters were called to investigate a report of smoke in the neighborhood. Crews on the engine and medic unit responded and attempted to locate the source of the smoke, eventually tracking it down to a residence on East Lopez. Firefighters rapidly knocked down the bulk of the fire, then spent several hours overhauling and extinguishing hot spots. Unfortunately, after firefighters were able to enter the structure, they discovered that a male resident and 12 of his 13 dogs had perished in the smoky blaze. This was a tragic event and it was very difficult for all of the responders.

2 0 1 5 A n n u a l R e p o r t P a g e 27 2015 Division Reports Support Officers The Port Angeles Fire Department is extremely fortunate to have a Support Officer Program. Support Officers are individuals who volunteer their time to the community in order to provide much needed support to citizens who are experiencing significantly difficult times in their lives. Working as Fire Department volunteers, Support Officers provide assistance to friends and family members who are in the midst of tragic circumstances. Drawing upon their backgrounds in crisis management and counseling, Support Officers tend to folks who might otherwise be overlooked in the confusion of a chaotic event. Imagine the helpless feeling that a spouse must have as they watch emergency personnel work to care for a long-time companion who may be seriously ill or injured. There are countless questions, never-imagined issues and often horrible uncertainties. Support Officers provide a caring, compassionate position from which they can assist. During 2015, Support Officers were called to 12 scenes. The Port Angeles Fire Department initiated 6 of those requests; the Port Angeles Police Department called 4 times. Both Clallam County Fire District 2 and the Clallam County Sheriff utilized our Support Officer services once during the year. The Support Officers give freely of their time - They are volunteers in the truest sense of the word and their services are incredibly appreciated. Jerry Dean Jonathan Fetrick Tim Hughes Vincent Murray Patrick Lovejoy Gail Wheatley