2006 - Poulsbo Fire Department

Kitsap County Fire District 18
(360)779-3997
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Is your
address
clearly
visable
from the
road?
Through a generous grant, the
Poulsbo Fire Department is able
provide house number plaques.
House numbers, clearly displayed,
are an important aid in a quick
response time. Every minute is
crucial during an emergency and
valuable time can be lost if a rescuer
is searching for a house number.
“It’s cheap insurance (free) to find
the house the FIRST time we come
to your driveway,” says Chief of
Operations Thomas O’Donohue. This
is available to every home in our
district. To order yours call
(360)779-3997.
Help Us
Help You!
An easy to find
house number
can save your
home and family.
2006
Poulsbofire.org
Farewell
to an Outstanding Public Servant
Linda Gunby, who served as Fire
Commissioner for Poulsbo Fire Department
from January 2004 until her death June
28, will be greatly missed. Gunby, who
had a keen ability for “visionary” strategic
planning, took an active role on last year’s
staffing committee. “Linda, along with the
Board, evaluated where the department
was and where the department should go
in light of our area’s tremendous growth,”
said Fire Chief Jim Shields. “We are
changing from a small town department
to a larger community department, with
call volumes almost doubling in the last 10
years and up almost 16% in 2006 alone.
Change is inevitable, but Linda, along with
the staffing committee, had the foresight to
see the need for reorganization. This new
staffing structure started to position us for
anticipated growth and a streamlined flow
of command,” said Chief Shields.
In addition to her responsibilities as Fire
Commissioner, Gunby had a passion for
the fire service. This is reflected in her
quilt, proudly displayed in station 77.
Operations Chief Thomas O’Donohue
recalls, “When I first took this position
I received a call from Linda, who was
in her hospital room. She was calling to
congratulate me. What an incredibly caring
individual.” Linda’s husband, Al Gunby,
reflected at her memorial “she found the
opportunity to give back to the community,
in a deeply fulfilling way, by serving as an
elected commissioner.”
New Employees
Bryson Eader
Jake Gillanders
Matt Peschon
Matt worked for Trimed
Ambulance service, in South
King County, before hiring on
at Poulsbo in January. Matt
graduated from the Bates
firefighter program, was a
volunteer in Steilacoom, then
a resident firefighter in Gig
Harbor before attending the
state fire fighter academy.
Bryson is a paramedic who came
to us from Mason County Fire
District 2. He began as a volunteer
firefighter for Poulsbo. His colorful work history, combined with a
degree in paramedicine, includes
a strong medical background in
ambulance services. He flew as a
helicopter paramedic. “I love being back in the fire service.”
Chad Equatore
Dan Sobole
Dan’s several years in construction helped him earn
his way through the Bates
firefighter program. After
his associates of technology degree, he continued his
education in fire science.
Dan came on board in
January.
Chad has been a member of the
Department for many years. He
began here in 1999 as a mechanic
and volunteer firefighter. After
working with the Puget Sound
Federal Fire Service, and remaining active as a volunteer firefighter
in Poulsbo, Chad was hired as
a firefighter in January. His next
goal is to become a paramedic.
Deputy Chief of Operations
Thomas O’Donohue
Jake also came to us from Mason
County Fire District 2. He began
as a volunteer for Mason, and
then worked for private ambulance services in Seattle and
Bremerton. He earned a bachelor
of science in paramedicine. Jake
says, “I was going to be a teacher,
but fell in love with the fire
service.”
Ryan Sommers
Ryan comes to us from the
Mason District #2 Fire Department, where he was employed
as a paramedic. Ryan began his
career as a resident firefighter for
South Kitsap Fire Department
and as a paramedic in Yakima.
He has a degree in paramedicine
from Central Washington.
Shane Keely
Shane was hired in January and
says he’s loving every minute
of it. Shane began as a volunteer for Black Diamond Fire
Department and later worked
for King County Traffic Control. He says “My job is every
little boy’s dream. I still can’t
believe I’m getting paid for
something I enjoy.”
Jody Matson
Jody is the new Public Information Officer/Public Educator. With her background in
public education and a degree
in communications, Jody is
delighted to be a part of the
Department and says “I am
passionate about prevention
and honored to work with a
professional team.”
Susan Gibbs
Thomas O’Donohue began his fire service at the age of 22
serving as Firefighter, Captain, Fire Marshal, Assistant Fire
Chief and Fire Chief before coming to Poulsbo Fire. As our
new Deputy Chief of Operations; Chief O’Donohue places a
strong emphasis on fire-fighter safety, enhanced emergency
resource management, reduced response times, excellent
customer service, personal and financial accountability to
Susan joined our department in
our taxpayers, the department and to ourselves. Before comAugust. She recently worked for
ing to Kitsap County, Chief O’Donohue was the President
the Poulsbo Inn as a sales manof the South Pacific County Fire Chiefs Association from
ager and served on the Board for
2002 through 2006, Board member of the local Chamber of Commerce, and will continue to serve on the Poulsbo Chamber of Comthe Board of Directors for the Washington Fire Chiefs which he has done since September 2004. “I am merce. Sue recieved training in
pleased to become part of the Poulsbo Fire Department and look forward to a rewarding career with administration while enlisted in
some of the most professional people I have ever worked with. The level of dedication demonstrated the United States Navy. She had
by this department says we are proud of what we do and how we do it,” says Chief O’Donohue. He an interesting career, traveling to
enjoys time with family and photography, bicycling and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.
New Zealand and Antarctica.
Greetings to residents of the greater Poulsbo area. It is with great pride our
fire department presents the 2006 newsletter and annual report for 2005. A
large section of this year’s information deals with new employees to your
fire department. During the majority of 2005, our fire department devoted
extraordinary effort to updating our strategic plan for fire protection and
medical services. This process involved developing specific goals and objectives for the upcoming year. In addition, a staffing committee was formed to
provide recommendations for staffing needs. The committee reviewed current
response activities, evaluated new and proposed commercial and residential
construction projects and anticipated population increases. Based on predicted
increases in emergency request activity, the committee made recommendations
for acquiring additional personnel. *
Three paramedics and four firefighters were hired in 2005 and several in-house
promotions were made with the net result of three 24-hour shifts with 11
personnel on each shift. This new command and staffing configuration greatly
enhances the response capabilities of the Poulsbo Fire Department, and
starts to position us for anticipated future growth. Growth is inevitable, as the
City of Poulsbo alone has in excess of 1,700 new housing units in the permit
stage. Additional commercial and residential drawings are being submitted
almost daily.
Growth in our small community is at an all time high and the Poulsbo Fire
Department is working diligently to respond to that growth and the corresponding new demands for service. Beginning in the fall of 2006, our
department will initiate a “citizen’s planning committee.” This committee
will evaluate conditions and make recommendations for a long-range financial
plan. This plan will insure a fiscally responsible, sustainable and stable budget
that accommodates today’s, and future service requirements. Each and every
member of the Poulsbo Fire Department staff is working hard and is totally
committed to provide you with the highest level of emergency medical, fire,
rescue, and prevention services possible. On behalf of all the men and women
of our organization, thank you again for your unwavering support and please
know we stand ready to serve you and your families when called.
*(Note: as of July 31, 2006, our call volume activity has increased by more
then 16% over the same period in 2005)
Jim Shields, Chief
Poulsbo Fire Department
Interested in restoring a piece of history? Thanks to
the donations of citizens and businesses in the greater
Poulsbo area, the fire department was able to acquire
a 1918 American LaFrance antique fire engine. This
LaFrance engine is the exact duplicate of the very first
fire apparatus purchased by the City of Poulsbo in
1936, the year the fire department was officially organized. The purchase price then was $838.00. Plans for
this vintage fire engine call for restoration, including
new paint and mechanical repairs. This antique will be
driven in local parades, utilized in fire prevention education in the school district, and displayed at other civic
functions in and around the greater Poulsbo/North
Kitsap area. The fire department is currently seeking
funds and hands-on expertise to make this restoration
a reality. Together, we can bring our “first fire truck”
back to the future and proudly display an important
piece of our local fire department’s heritage.
For information contact Chief Shields.
2005 Budget
Type of Calls
The majority of our calls
are related to the emergency
medical needs of our community. Second is false alarms
and good intent calls such as
a call for a fire which turns
out to be approved outdoor
burning. Service related
calls are not life threatening and include assisting an elderly person who
has fallen. Fire related calls, fortunately, amount to a smaller portion of our
alarms.
Emergency Operations
Administration
Facilities/Vehicle Maint
Safety/Training
Prevention
Volunteer Program
$2,933,839 70%
$730,216 18%
$172,915 4%
$178,751 4%
$112,600 3%
$40,869
1%
Number
of Calls
Incoming Calls
3,300
This chart represents the number of calls we received over the past five years. This boost in calls
led to our increase in staffing. With over 1700
new residential permits in the process, our call
volume is expected to increase substantially.
3,200
3,100
3,000
2,900
2,800
2,700
2,600
2,500
2,400
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Funding for the Poulsbo Fire
Department comes from three primary
sources; property taxes, medical billing,
and miscellaneous contracts. The Department does not receive any funding
from Kitsap County, Washington State
or the Federal Government. I-747 caps
the amount that fire districts can
increase revenue at 1% annually. That
does not keep pace with inflation or
the disproportionate rising cost of fuel,
medical supplies, and insurance.
Funding Sources
Strategic Long-range Financial Planning
During the past 18 years, the Poulsbo
Fire Department has managed to maintain
its budget with the existing tax rate. The
department has worked hard to have
an outstanding financial history. This is
reflected in perfect state audits for the
past twelve years. Unfortunately, the
commissioners and staff realize they
cannot continue to provide the same
quality of service, and meet new demands
for assistance within the existing budget.
The Board of Commissioners and senior
staff are seeking to assemble a citizen’s
advisory committee. This committee will
establish a long-range strategic financial
plan which likely will involve funding
options. The current tax limitations
combined with a disproportionate increase
in items like fuel and the rising cost of
healthcare, make it imperative that we
actively pursue a solution to this problem.
Citizens interested in volunteering for this
citizen’s advisory committee may do so by
calling (360) 779-3997.
Meet Your Commissioners
Chairman of the Board
Jim Ingalls
Jack Woodard
Darryl Milton
David Ellingson
Conrad Green
Your Department
Chief
James E. Shields
Firefighters
Continued...
Deputy Chiefs
Tom Huddleston
Thomas O’Donohue
Chad Equatore
Allison Fresh*
Tevya Friedman
Chad Gillespie*
Battalion Chiefs
Alan Green*
Jim Gillard
Tom Harvey
Kurt Krech*
Trevor Holmberg
Chris Morrison
Carl Johnson
Bruce Peterson
Brent Jolly
Jeff Russell
Shane Keeley
Frank Leamer
Captains
Bruce Lowrie
Shane Anderson
Denise Marx*
Bob Brooks
Kendra McLaughlin*
Dave Russo*
John Melrose*
Don Stevens*
Dave Musselman
John Warnke
Justine Pedersen*
Matthew Peschon
Deputy Fire Marshal Tim Quitslund*
Jerry Cooper
Anthony Rhead*
Matthew Rosenquist*
Lieutenants
Daniel Sobole
Chris Rahl
Chris Strickland
Kurt Serwold
Kevin Vay*
John Strong*
Kristi Wlodarchak
Ed Wright*
Joe Vlach*
Mechanic
Justin Zeigler
Fleet Mgr
Brett Annear
Paramedics
Part time mechanic
Craig Becker
Parker Lowrie
Bryson Eader
Steve Engle
Admin Services Mgr
George Epperly
Lise Alkire
Jake Gillanders
Finance Assistant
Ed McLaughlin
Wendy Glebe
Andy Plenge
Office Assistants
Brian Ramey
Susan Gibbs
Ryan Sommer
Kathy Narte
Firefighters
Dave Adams
Brian Arcement*
Steve Behal
Patricia Bronson*
Dustin Bunt*
George Calbert*
Trista Dawson*
Zac D’Len*
Dave Donnelly*
PIO/Public Educator
Jody Matson
Chaplains
Gary Coykendall*
Skip Kongela*
Ken Lundgren*
Ken Robinson*
Dave Rommen*
*volunteer
member
Fun for All
Local firefighters reach out to the community
in more ways than the usual medical and fire response. Pictured
below, the Poulsbo Fire Department works to make one child’s
birthday extra special. Why do they do this? The reason is simple
according to Lieutenant Chris Rahl, “It’s my way to be involved
and give back to the community.” One of the six firefighters who
volunteer for this event, Steve Behal says, “The kids just love it,
but I think the adults may love it even more! It’s really a lot of
fun for everyone.” These parties, which occur about five times
a year, are donated by the Poulsbo Fire Department. The parties
are auctioned off and the money goes to help local charities and
school fundraisers.
Likewise, the fire department receives donations. Recently, the
Jewel Box Theatre Company donated over $1700 towards the
department’s community action fund. “We were honored to
have such a wonderful, caring organization come along side us
and support us in our efforts,” said Behal. The action fund was
set up to aid families when they are in a crisis situation and they
do not have the funds to meet their basic needs. One example of
this is when a patient has no way to get home after having been
rushed to the hospital. Because of the action fund, firefighters
are able to give a card good for a free taxi ride.
NON PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Tacoma, WA
Permit #1347
91l NE Liberty Road
Poulsbo, WA 98370
“Provide Quality Service”
Our mission will be accomplished through
preparation, prevention, and the provision
of emergency medical, fire, and rescue services.