District 13 firefighters ran practices on model trains ahead of BNSF derailment

Nobody anticipates a train derailment in their backyard.

Nobody, perhaps, except Skagit County Fire District 13 Training Officer Chris Olbu.

A model railroader, Olbu led a detailed tabletop exercise at the district’s SneeOosh Road fire station earlier this year, presenting the many scenarios that can arise when a train derails.

As fate would have it, about two weeks after practicing moving model emergency vehicles around the train track Olbu had set up on the fire station’s second floor, two BNSF locomotive derailed near the Swinomish Casino and Lodge, spilling diesel upland from the nearby Padilla Bay shoreline.

District 13 responded with other agencies to the derailment. Its firefighters had the benefit of having studied the possible impacts of such an incident.

“This is a great drill,” District 13 Commissioner John Doyle said last Thursday upon inspecting the model track following the three-member panel’s monthly public meeting. “I like this setup. It has a lot of flexibility.

“You did a nice job,” Doyle told Olbu, who has spent a small fortune on the model track, train cars, passenger, commercial and emergency vehicles and school buses laid out on the busy tabletop.

“It’s important,” stressed Olbu, “to know all the details and little things that can happen. I like to tailor these exercises to what we and our neighbors have.”

Olbu has forked over as much as $100 for model tanker cars that imitate those that that cross Swinomish Reservation to oil refineries on nearby March Point.

“I go to swap meets quite a bit,” he chuckled.

The purpose of the model train tabletop exercise, Olbu said, was to build conscious awareness on the part of firefighters and emergency responders in preparation for actual derailments and the complex conditions they can pose.

Doyle and Fire Chief Wood Weiss provided an update on installation of new residential quarters at the SneeOosh station.

Doyle and Weiss said the new unit lacks only a mandated deck and ramp. Electrical and plumbing connections have been completed.

“We’re close,” Weiss said of a project years in the making. “Hopefully, in the next couple weeks, we’ll have a deck up.”

Chair Bruce Shellhamer, noting that the existing residential unit is named for retired fire chief Roy Horn, suggested and received unanimous support to name the new quarters in honor of former commission chairman Larry Kibbee.

“It’s a way to honor his legacy and great commitment to District 13,” said Shellhamer.

Service calls and transports continue to trend upward, commissioners were told.

“Last year was our record year, but this year we’re well on pace to be over 1,800 (calls),” Weiss said.

Medical Officer Andrew Ferrell said the district’s new CARES unit has received requests from law enforcement to help on calls involving those dealing with behavioral and/or mental health issues, such as a recent one prompted by a barricaded subject.

Weiss offered praise for District 13 firefighter and high school assistant baseball coach Logan James, who is taking charge of an Adopt-A-Hydrant fundraiser at John K. Bob Ball Park, include a painting session, barbecue, prize contest and raffle, June 17 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Community members are invited to make a donation of $100 or more individually or collectively to adopt and custom design a district fire hydrant.

“Our goal,” said James, “is to create a community-oriented event to kick off the summer by painting one-half of the fire hydrants within the fire district.”

James said barbecue sponsors are Santo Coyote Mexican Kitchen, La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House and Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill and Irish Pub. Lopez Island Creamery will provide ice cream.