Fire District 13 transports, calls for service up again

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new normal over the past seven months.

But for the first time since March, the old normal has returned to Fire District 13 – at least in terms of its monthly call log.

Each month during the virus crisis district service calls and transports trailed where they had been in 2019.

Until September.

The local fire district fielded 102 calls for service last month, one more than a year ago, with three more transports than last year.

“It’s the first time since the beginning of COVID that we’ve had more calls” district fire chief Wood Weiss told the District commissioners at their monthly meeting last Thursday.

Weiss suggested some hesitated to call on firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) fearing they and other health care workers may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Preventative measures contributed, too, he said.

“Fewer people have been getting the flu or getting sick,” Weiss added, “because they’ve been taking precautions to avoid contracting COVID-19.”

Weiss said there had been no positive COVID-19 tests at Swinomish in more than 20 days.

“I want to point out the amazing job the Swinomish Tribe is doing,” Weiss said. “We are still getting cases in Skagit County, but right here we’re doing well.”

Commissioners also discussed the prospect of address changes in the fire district, which includes Shelter Bay, as part of the Next Generation 9-1-1 initiative aimed at updating emergency phone service infrastructure in the U.S. and Canada. “We’ll have to start working with Shelter Bay to develop a plan on how to get going with this,” said Larry Kibbee, commission president.

The possibility of Skagit Bay Search and Rescue operating under the fire district umbrella at some future date was brought up. Several area fire departments have rescue boats, it was noted.

Part one of a five-year strategic plan, development of a current “snapshot” of the district and its services, will be completed by mid-January.

In related district business:

• The 2021 budget will be approved in November.

• The district is pursuing plans to purchase for $150,000 a four-wheel drive diesel aid rig.

• Weiss said he has received preliminary architectural plans for the proposed expansion of Fire District 13’s station on Snee Oosh Road.

• 3 p.m. Nov. 19 will be the meeting date, rescheduled because of Thanksgiving.