When Kevin O’Brien was hired as the new fire chief for Orcas Fire and Rescue last year, he had a simple approach: find out what works, find out what doesn’t and then fix the flaws.
Just before the new year, the commissioners approved O’Brien’s plan to change how the department is managed. Instead of three division chiefs, who were assigned specific areas like operations, training and public outreach, there will be one assistant chief.
Mik Preysz, who has been a division chief since 2009, was promoted to the position and began on Jan. 1.
“I feel honored and humbled,” he said. “I have been with Orcas Fire for 20 years and I am there because I enjoy what I do. This gives me a little more ability to benefit members. Kevin and I make a really strong team. It will benefit the community, the volunteers and the organization as a whole.”
O’Brien says the new structure will streamline operations. Preysz will work regular office hours as well as provide back-up paramedic services seven days a week. He will be assisting the chief in all operations, including training, safety, logistics and emergency medical services.
“It is going to improve our service overall,” O’Brien said. “We had scattered management of programs and now we’ll have more focused management.”
Salary for the three division chiefs was $16,900 per person plus medical benefits. The new full-time position pays $85,000 a year. O’Brien is making cuts in other programs so as not to increase the 2013 operations budget of $1,587,053.
In comparison, the San Juan Fire assistant chief makes $82,951 and does not manage EMS and the number two position with San Juan EMS makes $120,000. The Lopez assistant chief earns $86,400.
Preysz started his career in EMS at the age of 14 in Utah as a junior ski patroller. He has been a paramedic since 1981 and has a passion for teaching. Preysz has led programs at Weber State University, Utah State Police Academy and the Utah State Department of Health. In 1987, he became the state coordinator for the Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Program.
After moving to Washington in 1990, Preysz continued his flight medic career that began in Utah and finished as chief flight medic for the med-flight program out of St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham.
“Mik is an excellent chief officer and gentleman with many years of experience in public service,” O’Brien said. “He knows our system and the island well.”
Preysz has been commuting to his job on Orcas from Lynden, where his wife Lesley is a nursing supervisor. Now they are moving to Orcas and Preysz says his wife will be the commuter.
More department changes
Val Harris – one of the other division chiefs – is resigning as a duty paramedic but will stay on as a volunteer. Patrick Shepler, the third division chief, will be staying on as a paramedic.
The department’s other paramedic Jeff Larsen is leaving to pursue a new career. O’Brien says two new paramedics will be hired in the coming months.
Sally Kass has been hired as the new district financial officer. She has a home in the Orcas Landing area and is in the process of moving here full time from California. She has extensive experience in all areas of business administration, says O’Brien. Kass is replacing long-time financial officer Rick Anda, who is retiring.
OIFR is currently looking for a full-time firefighter/maintenance technician to replace the part-time position held by a mechanic who lives in Las Vegas. The job will be filled by Feb. 1.
Captain Chad Kimple and Lieutenant Rich Harvey have been promoted to tenured positions within the department.
OIFR community meeting
Orcas Fire and Rescue will be holding a community meeting in the Eastsound station on Weds., Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. to hear feedback from the public regarding paying for services outside of the district’s boundaries, such as medical transport, marine search and rescue, and participation in operating the sheriff’s boat.
Chief O’Brien says the community can discuss any topics of interest during the meeting.
