FD 13 permitting for new housing almost done

If patience is indeed a virtue, Skagit County Fire District 13 Commissioners and staff at manufactured home retailer Coach Corral have certainly earned their way onto Santa’s nice list this year.

Commissioner John Doyle reported tangible progress in a lengthy permit process for the addition of a modular housing unit at the Snee-Oosh Road station at the panel’s meeting Dec. 8

“It’s been a rocky road with the permit process,” Doyle acknowledged, citing “bureaucratic stuff” and changes in the floor plan to three bedrooms and an office from four bedrooms.

“Coach Corral has been real patient with me,” he noted, “They’ve made some revisions and we got resolution yesterday. We’re in full compliance now.”

Doyle said the major sticking point was accessibility, necessitating wheelchair ramps.

Personnel compensation and the much-anticipated launch of a district community paramedicine program were also covered at the commissioners’ monthly hybrid meeting.

“We’re all aware of inflation and its impact,” said Commission Chair Bruce Shellhamer. “First and foremost for me is that we take care of our people to the best of our ability.”

The district has twice increased compensation for its “shifters” to remain competitive with neighboring departments.

Fire Chief Wood Weiss said fire officials from Tulalip recently shared insight into starting a community paramedicine program here.

“They gave us a lot of good pointers,” district medical officer Drew Farrell confirmed. “It was a helpful meeting. They gave us information on how to get a program up and running, so we’re on the right track.”

Weiss said the district paramedicine project expects to benefit from grant funding.

“When the grant comes through,” said Weiss, “it will allow us to move forward with full-time positions.”

Emergency management head Ted Taylor and Good Morning, District 13 coordinator Gary Ladd stressed the importance of maintaining a HAM radio network should the La Conner area be hit with an earthquake, tsunami or other disaster.

“When you have a major catastrophic event like the ones Ted frequently talks about, the internet, cell phones and power all go down,” Ladd said. “When that happens, one of the key areas for emergency services is communication.”

Ladd suggested all full-time personnel be trained as HAM operators.

Shellhamer and Weiss agreed.

Taylor advocated for the public to log onto mil.wa.gov/alerts to learn how to program cell phones to automatically receive emergency preparation and response information.

Weiss reported the district is on pace to log over 1,350 service calls this year.