It takes more than firefighters to provide you with reliable and effective emergency response.
Behind the scenes at North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, dedicated personnel provide a wide range of services such as human resources support, accounting, finance, reception, apparatus and facilities maintenance. We’re proud to tell you about some of their recent achievements.
Every two years, representatives from the Washington State Auditor’s Office review the financial records and business practices of local government agencies such as ours.
The auditors just finished their examination at NKF&R and for the seventh consecutive time, have issued a clean (no findings and no recommendations) report – thanks to the conscientious work of Administrative Assistant Cindy Moran and her team.
Mechanic Kevin Matthes has successfully achieved Emergency Vehicle Technician certification. Matthes, who joined the department earlier this year, has added depth to our apparatus maintenance capabilities with little impact to the operating budget; the revenue from maintenance contracts with several Jefferson County departments virtually offsets the cost of the additional mechanic’s employment.
Leaders of Bainbridge Island Fire Department, Poulsbo Fire Department and NKF&R have been working to find additional efficiencies through closer cooperation between the departments. Most recently, these efforts produced big economies for all three agencies through coordination of mandated annual pump testing on fire engines.
According to Fire Service Repair, the company that conducted the testing, “…in the 16 years of our experience, your commitment to doing ‘the most’ with as little impact financially to the districts and taxpayers as possible has been an inspiration to us.”
To reap the thousands of dollars in savings, mechanics from each department had to work hard at coordinating schedules and delivery to a central location for more than 20 fire engines. Kudos to all and, especially, to our own team led by Apparatus Maintenance Supervisor Robert Lacey.
Santa’s North Kitsap schedule is set
Last year’s extreme weather conditions disrupted our rounds with Santa Claus, but we’re hoping to keep the following schedule of visits to the communities around our fire district this holiday season. Here’s a list of appearances Santa will be making:
Saturday, Dec. 12: Community Tree Lighting, 5 p.m. at Mike Wallace Park.
Sunday, Dec. 13: Suquamish Village Square, 5–6 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 14: Miller Bay Estates Clubhouse, 7:30 – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 16: Indianola Store/Clubhouse, 6:30-7 p.m. and Jefferson Beach Clubhouse, 7:45–8:15 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 17: Kingston Albertsons, 5:30–6:30 p.m. and Gamblewood Playground, 6:45–7:15 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 20: Hansville Children’s Christmas Party, 2 p.m.
Tips to celebrate the holidays safely
To help ensure that you and your loved ones enjoy a happy holiday season, we offer reminders for avoiding the most common seasonal fires. December is the peak time of the year for candle fires. Keep lit candles away from decorations, greenery and other combustible items.
Most importantly, blow out candles whenever leaving the room or going to bed. If you choose a natural tree, select one that’s fresh with green needles that don’t fall when touched.
Keep the tree well-watered and away from heating sources. For holiday lights, select only those that carry the label of an independent testing laboratory – and use them only according to the directions listed on the package.
Connect no more than three light strings together, and avoid damaging the strings by using clips instead of nails, tacks or staples. Turn off all light strings before leaving home or going to bed.
Check smoke alarms monthly and share your family’s fire escape plan with overnight guests.
Stop in for a child car seat check
Make sure your little ones travel as safely as possible by attending one of our child car seat checks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month at the Paul T. Nichol headquarters fire station (26642 Miller Bay Road NE, just south of State Route 104).
From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season.
Michèle Laboda is a prevention and community services specialist for North Kitsap Fire and Rescue. For more information on the department, see www.nkfr.org.
