Capt. Maxx Jones, Public Information Officer/Public Ed for the Orcas Island Fire Department issued the following statement on Oct. 6 :

“On September 30th, at the All-Hands informational meeting, a vote for

membership support for the Division Chief proposal was taken. After 6 months

of meetings, discussions and presentations, the majority of our membership

took the initiative to get the facts to make an informed decision. Medical

Control Dr. Sullivan and Commissioner Duke also attended the meeting. Both

spoke in favor of the plan and answered questions from the members.

Twenty-nine (29) of the thirty-one (31) members present voted to support the

proposal. The first 12 months will be a trial period. This will give the

district a chance to make the needed adjustments.”