La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

For all of us, 2020 was an unusual year, to say the very least. The word that became cliché back in March but really explains it best is unprecedented.

For myself, 2020 was already a challenge: It was my first year as the Chief of Fire District 13.

In January I became aware of a new strain of the coronavirus in China. By mid-February, when inquiring about N95 masks my medical supplier showed none in stock. By the first week of March I was personally meeting people from Craigslist as far away as Seattle to purchase masks. I met a retired police officer in a McDonalds parking lot to buy 25 N95s.

In those early days I lived in fear that I would not be able to find enough Personal Protective Equipment to protect my EMTs. I even wrote up a procedure for my people to go into medical calls wearing our fire-fighting self: contained breathing apparatus. I quickly found out all fire departments were in the same boat. Fortunately, the county and especially the Swinomish Tribe came to my rescue with PPE and we have been good since late March. We have treated every call like it was a potential COVID-19 call.

Wildland fires were big in 2020 for FD 13. For the first time we sent brush trucks, tenders, structural fire engines and personnel to eastern Washington and California.

We also initiated the use of our new hydrant testing kit that we received from the Swinomish and will test all our hydrants in 2021.

We continue to grow our community well patient care program “Good Morning District 13,” calling upwards of 20 elders and infirm people daily.

We purchased a new aid ambulance for 2021, also with help from the Swinomish Tribal Community. Another big step in this new year is the initial groundwork towards expanding Station 2 to include new shifter quarters and to increase the administration office and apparatus bay space.

We figured out a way to have trainings and meetings without getting too close to each other. That started us into the world of Zoom. I am at the very least a people person. I like face to face communication and although Zoom does allow you to see someone’s face the interaction is often stilted and lacks the normal give and take of normal conversation. For some it may be normal but for someone like myself who grew up with everybody talking around the dinner table simultaneously it can be pretty awkward.

We have persevered. At the end of the year we knew Zoom would sadly have to replace our Christmas Appreciation Banquet.

So, I will now share with the District 13 Community some of our award recipients and extra hardworking responders.

EMT Excellence Award-FF/EMT: Sara Hill

Top Responder-FF/EMT: Bailey Hawkins

Top Responder Officer: Zach Cleave

Firefighter of the Year: FF/EMT Drew Jenkins

Officer of the Year: Captain Chris Olbu

Thirteen members made the Hall of Flame for at least 100 calls.

In 2020 District 13 went on a total of 1,115 calls, down from our record 1,340 calls in 2019. The breakdown:

Rescue and EMS: 78%.

Hazardous conditions (no fire): 5.77%

Welfare Checks: 5.77%.

Special Types: 4.32%.

Fires 2.97%.

False Alarms: 1.98%.

Service Call: 1.26%.

All of us here at District 13 want to say a special thank you to our financial and spiritual supporters. Thank you Swinomish Indian Tribal Community for your generous donations and to the taxpayers of this District.

Peace, love and let’s have a better year in 2021.

District 13 Fire Chief Wood Weis