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Fire District 13 emergency responders are used to pulling their weight – and then some.

Now they’re getting much appreciated help.

The added muscle is in the form of a new power loader gurney system purchased with funds from the HF Sinclair Refinery of Anacortes.

“These run in the $30,000 range,” said Fire Chief Wood Weiss. “So, I reached out to Sinclair and Andrea Petrich found the funding for us.”

Petrich is the refinery’s head of communications and external relations advisor. She and other HF Sinclair representatives attended the fire district’s Feb. 8 hybrid meeting at the Snee Oosh Road station, where the new equipment was demonstrated.

District medical officer Drew Farrell and firefighter Jackson Grande showed the ease with which the power loader can lift a patient – in this case role-played by firefighter Nick Mardesich – into an awaiting ambulance.

Powered gurneys are deemed more efficient than manual models, requiring fewer responders to safely place patients in emergency vehicles.

Weiss said District 13 is the first rural fire department in Skagit County with a power loader, which can support patients weighing up to 400 pounds.

Petrich said Sinclair was more than happy to provide that help.

“We want to thank you guys for what you do for our community,” she said.

Weiss returned the compliment.

“We really want to thank you guys,” he said to the Sinclair contingent. “This will save a lot of backs and Labor and Industries claims in the future.”

Weiss is hopeful the fire district can add additional equipment –a small boat for rapid water rescues near local shorelines tops his list. He noted that Swinomish Police Officer Brian Geer recently had to commandeer a private watercraft to rescue a capsized kayak in Skagit Bay near the Thousand Trails RV Resort.

“It would be nice to have a small boat that we can get in the water quickly with someone in a Mustang (Survival) suit who has been trained for that kind of rescue,” Weiss said. “We’ve had lots of water stuff going on. We need to get the appropriate training and small boats.”

Fire District Capt. Gary Ladd, who is also an officer with Skagit Bay Search and Rescue, estimated it would have taken a total of 25 minutes for SBSR personnel to pilot their moored boat to the Lone Tree Point area.

“It would be nice,” agreed Commission Chair Bruce Shellhamer, “to have something that can be carried and put in the water or a have a small boat that can be trailered.”

“Volunteers are being organized to help with the effort,” said Ladd.

Weiss said a joint District 13 and Town of La Conner committee has been meeting to reduce duplication of services and equipment purchases by the two neighboring fire departments. Weiss said he had written a letter in support of La Conner’s bid to obtain state funds for a fire boat.

“I believe they’re in Olympia this week,” said Weiss, “hoping to get a boat.”