As the sun shone through the window, more than 50 community members sat inside the Eastsound Fire Hall.

Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien opened the meeting by saying the theme would be “partnership.”

On Thursday, June 13 at 4 p.m., Orcas Island Fire and Rescue’s “Town Hall” meeting was held to explain its emergency medical program and discuss possible solutions for after-hours medical care.

According to O’Brien, more than 70 percent of calls for help are for emergency medical services. He added that in San Juan County their cardiac resuscitation rates are among the highest in the nation. But there are obstacles for OIFR that mainland communities do not experience.

“We’re trapped here sometimes,” said O’Brien. “We spend a lot of time with patients … sometimes responders even make meals for patients.”

This extended time with patients is due to the fact that Orcas does not have a 24-hour emergency care facility.

“In the city, responders can get right into the ER. Friday Harbor now has that luxury. We don’t have that luxury,” said O’Brien. “This is a big challenge.”

He went on to explain how long calls take responders out of service from other possible emergencies, including fires.

O’Brien also covered the new Orcas Cares Program, which helps to link multiple organizations together in order to better serve the community. See more about the program on page 2.

“From my humble perspective … this program brings people together,” said O’Brien.

Partnerships between OIFR and local practitioners was also brought up as a topic during the meeting. The fire chief said that not only have local physicians been available for patients, they have met with fire department staff to talk about improving the system. On top of that, local health care providers have given out their home phone numbers to help in after hour medical care.

After the presentation, O’Brien asked for community comment. Ed Sutton said he was concerned  about the percentage of elderly people on the island, especially those that live in remote and hard to reach places. Another community member mentioned that it was everyone’s responsibility be healthy and take “preventative” measures.

Art Lange wanted to know what was the way to improve after-hours medical care. O’Brien said the big one was have an ER on Orcas.

Their comments propelled other community members to say that they would not like to have an ER facility on the island because of cost and because as islanders they made a decision to live in a remote community with all the risks involved.

“People need to be more prepared,” said Pierrette Guimond. “You do a great job, but I’d like to see more education.”