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Message From Fire Chief Black

I am privileged to present the East Jefferson Fire Rescue 2022 Strategic Plan. Our core mission is succinct in its basic directive: protect our community. Carrying out this mission, however, is complex and becomes more multifaceted with each passing year.

EJFR Strategic Plan 2022 – Accepted 11-10-22

Vol 1 – Technical Report – East Jefferson Fire-Rescue SOC and Strategic Plan (10-31-22)

Vol 2 – Map Atlas – East Jefferson Fire-Rescue SOC and Strategic Plan (10-31-22)

The strategic planning process ensures we evaluate all aspects of our service delivery as compared to applicable regulations, industry standards and best practices. Using independent third-party consultants, we have undertaken a process of courageous reflection as we identify both our strengths and service delivery gaps. This strategic plan prioritizes opportunities for improvement, ensuring we provide services to the best of our ability with the available financial resources. We are fortunate that we serve a community that recognizes the importance of public safety in maintaining a healthy and vibrant community. We are also fortunate to have a workforce that recognizes the value of teamwork, planning, preparing, efficiency and, ultimately, service to the community. These forces have enabled East Jefferson Fire Rescue to be a model of excellence within the fire service community.

The fire service is an ever-evolving profession; we strive to meet new risks and expectations for the community, adapting as needed. Even in light of our historical successes, there are future hazards and challenges to be met. The fire service is changing as we face escalating costs for the services we provide, industrywide firefighter shortages, unfunded government mandates and more pressure to contain costs with demand for performance metrics as decision triggers (i.e., cost vs. benefit, return on investment, trends over time, etc.). These factors will expand the adoption of practices such as the continuous improvement process and value-added service models that will ultimately require outcome-based performance objectives. It will also push more agencies toward regional and non-traditional fire protection models.

As the East Jefferson community grows, there will be more demand for services (increasing call volume), particularly for seniors and socioeconomically challenged citizens. Urban planning will move toward higher densities in designated areas of the fire district that will require the evolution of fire apparatus design and deployment strategies. The pandemic and slow economic recovery have also added a new dynamic of financial strain affecting the fiscal stability of emergency services at the local level which threatens our ability to provide baseline 911 services. This has required the fire service to respond in new ways and to consider alternatives in emergency service delivery. Strategic planning is critical as East Jefferson Fire Rescue responds to the current needs of the community and adapts to future challenges while continuing our legacy of providing exceptional service.On a more positive note, we see East Jefferson Fire Rescue as positioned well to meet these coming challenges due to one important component: we have an amazing workforce that is dedicated to providing exceptional service and partnering to resolve the challenges we face. Our people are EJFR’s most valued asset and represent the very best of our community. It is because of this single factor that we are better positioned to face the future than most other fire service agencies in the state. 

Fire Chief, Bret Black

bblack@ejfr.org

In Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak

East Jefferson Fire Rescue has implemented protective measures in response to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak. We have put measures into place to help protect you, our patients and first responders. Those first responders are following appropriate safety protocols such as wearing protective equipment, being extra careful when providing treatment, and decontaminating equipment/gear after calls.

Fire agencies across Jefferson County continue to collaborate closely with Public Health, Jefferson Healthcare, and Jefferson County Emergency Management to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak.

Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics play a key role in the response to this virus, as we respond to treat sick patients. Fire departments across Jefferson County have put various measures in place to help prevent the spread of the virus locally, which starts when someone calls 911.

Dispatchers are asking additional questions regarding travel and advising appropriate protective equipment to responding crews when a patient presents with symptoms that could be from COVID-19 disease. When responding crews arrive on scene, they are taking extra care when entering the home, treating the patient and transporting (if required). Once the response is complete, firefighters and paramedics are instructed to follow specific, thorough decontamination procedures before providing care to another patient.

Transporting patients who present symptoms of the COVID-19 virus to a hospital will be avoided whenever possible unless the patient’s symptoms are severe. The Emergency Room will be briefed on the arriving patient prior to their arrival, so the hospital can take necessary action on their end.

It is our commitment to you that we stand ready to assist you in your time of need day or night, with compassion, professionalism, respect and dignity.

The members of East Jefferson Fire Rescue believe that serving the community goes beyond firefighting and EMS activities. Both our volunteer and career staff participate in many different fundraising activities and charitable organizations.

Northwest Burn Foundation

Collecting money in Port Hadlock for the Northwest Burn Foundation. The money collected goes to help burn victims and their families. Every year on the first Saturday in October, many members stand in front of grocery stores and in intersections collecting money in their boots.

Raising Money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

EJFR members participate in the Scott’s Firefighter Stair Climb held yearly at the Columbia Tower in Seattle. Firefighters climb 69 stories in full combat gear and SCBA to reach the top of the 2nd highest building west of the Mississippi.

Fundraising by the Firefighter’s Helpers meets many needs

Every April and October the Helpers host a delicious, pancake breakfast. With the earnings from these breakfasts the group has donated thousands of dollars for needed emergency response equipment and educational materials.
The Helpers also help host memorials for fire department “family” members.

Kala Point Area Fire Protection Class Modification

East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) is pleased to announce a Fire Protection Class (FPC) Modification in and around the Kala Point geographic area.  In March 2019, EJFR proposed a FPC modification to the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau (WSRB) based on recent adjustments utilizing response volunteers and off-duty career firefighters that also reside within five road miles of Fire Station 1-3 (50 Airport Road). Approval and the subsequent FPC modification was effective April 1, 2019.

Inaccuracies in WSRB Ratings for Some Area Homes

Fire Chief Walkowski stressed that in order to obtain a corrected rating, area residents must take the initiative to contact the WSRB and if in error, their insurance provider. “This correction will not be initiated by the WSRB,” he said. “Residents are encouraged to contact them directly at their customer service telephone line at 206-217-0101. Specifically request you want to confirm the Fire Protection Classification of your insured structure and ask them to calculate the driving distance from your home to the nearest fire station.”  Here is the News Release.

Washington State is one of a handful of states which utilize the services of an independent rating service to evaluate communities for their fire protection and suppression capabilities. Using a schedule approved by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, they assign each community a Protection Class of 1 (exemplary) through 10 (insufficient for insurance credit). This Rating may be utilized by an insurance company to assist in determining fire insurance premiums for properties. However, not all insurance companies use the WSRB rating to set insurance rates. Communities are evaluated on a five-year frequency and evaluations include four major areas:

Fire Department: WSRB reviews such items as engine companies, ladder companies, distribution of fire stations and fire companies, automatic aid received, response to alarms, equipment carried on apparatus, apparatus maintenance, pumping capacity, reserve apparatus, department personnel levels and training.

Water Supply: Water supplies used are reviewed to determine their adequacy for fire-suppression purposes. Major tasks include calculating required fire flows (gallons per minute) for buildings and conducting flow tests to measure water pressures (psi) and volume (gpm). WSRB considers hydrant size, type, and installation, as well as the inspection frequency and condition of fire hydrants.

Emergency Communications Systems:  The community’s 911 system is evaluated including facilities, handling and dispatching fire alarms, dispatch personnel levels and training.

Fire Safety Control: Fire prevention activities such as fire code enforcement, public education and building code enforcement are reviewed.

After completing the field survey, WSRB analyzes the data and calculates the Protection Class for the community. The community receives a notification letter identifying the Protection Class along with a summarizing report. Buildings and property located within the rated community are eligible for the Protection Class Rating of the community if they meet the distance to fire station and distance to fire hydrant requirements. If these requirements are not met the building will receive a different Protection Class Rating than the community.

After investing in apparatus, equipment and personnel training and enhancing our Fire Safety Control, Jefferson County Fire Protection District No. 1’s rating improved from a 6 to a 5 as a result of a 2013 evaluation. 

However, changes resulted from our most recent evaluation, which took place in 2017 and became effective in early 2018.  While our overall District-wide rating remained unchanged at a 5, deficiencies in two areas impacted improved properties (structures) within a five road-mile radius of our three volunteer fire stations.

As an overview, District 1 has a total of six fire stations, three of which are staffed 24/7:

Station 1-1 – The Wally Westergaard Station located at 9193 Rhody Drive, Chimacum

Station 1-5 – The Henry Miller Station located at 35 Critter Lane, Port Townsend

Station 1-6 – The Uptown station located at 701 Harrison St., Port Townsend

Our three volunteer response stations are:

Station 1-2 – The Marrowstone Island station located at 6633 Flagler Rd., Nordland

Station 1-3 – The Jefferson County International Airport station located at 50 Airport Rd.

Station 1-4 – The Cape George station located at 3850 Cape George Rd., Port Townsend

In the 2018 evaluation, District 1 received demerits for the age of our emergency response vehicles (apparatus), many of which we still owned after the prior evaluation five years earlier.

For the first time, we also received demerits for having an insufficient number of volunteer firefighters who regularly train and respond from our three volunteer stations.  In order to receive credit for these stations, District 1 would need six volunteer firefighters to regularly train and respond from each station. 

Currently, we have an insufficient number of volunteer firefighters, contributing to a rate reduction in some areas.

The District is focusing efforts on returning to our previous rate for all customers, but this will take time. As the District continues to modernize our apparatus fleet, this is only possible as our budget allows. In addition, the District is conducting numerous volunteer recruiting efforts, offering at least three times annually the ability for members of the community to join the volunteer ranks. 

How can you help? Consider volunteering with the District. While we need a number of trained and active volunteer firefighters to improve our WSRB rating, we’re also looking for volunteers to assist us in a variety of capacities, including tender drivers, EMS responders and various support roles.

2017 WSRB Rating Letter

2018 WSRB Protection Class Report for JCFD #1

Standards of Response – Fire Service Performance Measures

The Washington State Legislature adopted House Bill 1756 that was further codified into RCW 52.33.030, which requires fire departments across Washington State to measure a fire departments capability to respond to an emergency 911 call for service.  A fire departments ability to respond to an emergency call within a certain identified time is commonly referred to as a “performance measure”.  It requires the evaluation of Board of Fire Commissioner adopted levels of service, deployment (emergency response) delivery methods, and response time objectives on an annual basis.  The evaluations are based on data relating to the levels of service, deployment, and the achievement of each response time objective.

In 2021/2022 EJFR contracted with Citygate and Berk to complete a Strategic Plan and Standards of Cover analysis. The findings and recommendations were accepted as of 11/10/22. 

EJFR Strategic Plan 2022 – Accepted 11-10-22

Vol 1 – Technical Report – East Jefferson Fire-Rescue SOC and Strategic Plan (10-31-22)

Vol 2 – Map Atlas – East Jefferson Fire-Rescue SOC and Strategic Plan (10-31-22)

The annual compliance report will compare the actual response times or performance measures to nationally recognized standards.  When the standards are not met, the fire department is required to explain the predictable consequences of failing to meet the adopted performance measure, and address the steps necessary to correct deficiencies in order to achieve compliance. 

Performance measurement in the fire service is important for several reasons. Historically, the fire service has only been able to give citizens an average response time to all emergencies which is not an accurate depiction of service levels received. Specifically for East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR), the arrival of personnel with advanced life support (paramedic) capability before the onset of brain death, and the arrival of adequate fire suppression resources before flash-over is a critical event during the mitigation of an emergency. For these reasons, performance measures, comparable to that of industry standards, relate to the organization and deployment of fire suppression operations, emergency medical operations, and special operations.  

The evaluation is intended to provide elected officials and the community with a true picture of how well EJFR is doing in achieving the adopted response objectives. In the future, the EJFR Board of Fire Commissioners will consider a Resolution with the intent and purpose of complying with the law. If approved, the Resolution would include each Performance Measure element, including the establishment of service delivery and response time objectives. The objectives would be developed using recognized standards from the National Fire Protection Association. However, meeting the performance measures will likely require several years to achieve the delivery and response time objectives. For this reason, success will be measured by the successful reduction of response times, and progress towards achieving these objectives.

Mutual Aid Agreements

EJFR maintains mutual aid agreements with a number of neighboring fire districts. Mutual aid agreements facilitate access to additional resources in the event of a larger scale incident. In short, the agreements stipulate that EJFR will provide resources to a partner agency in their time of need. In return, those districts will provide resources (i.e. engine company or ambulance) to us when we need assistance.

Clallam County Fire District 3 Mutual Aid Agreement

North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Agreement

EJFR Budgets

Public budget hearings are held in mid-November of each year. The budget is approved and submitted to the county in late November. Please call 360-385-2626 if you would like to know more about our budget or the approval process.

• 2025 Fire & EMS Budgets
• 2024 Fire Budget
• 2024 EMS Budget
• 2023 Fire Budget
• 2023 EMS Budget

Other Reports

• 2021 – 2023 Financial Statements Audit Report
• 2021 – 2023 Accountability Audit Report
• 2020 – 2022 Financial Statements Audit Report – JC Fire District No. 3
• 2020 – 2022 Accountability Audit Report- JC Fire District No. 3
• 2018 – 2020 Financial Statements Audit Report
• 2018 – 2020 Accountability Audit Report
• 2016 – 2017 Financial Statements Audit Report
• 2016 – 2017 Accountability Audit Report