Chief Carleton

PUBLIC The District is currently undergoing a radio communications upgrade. This project is needed to provide consistent and reliable emergency communications. The District recently conducted a propagation study and the results show a wide range of deficiencies in our current ability to receive and/or transmit communication by pager or radio. These difficulties have been long standing due to our landscape and location from county communication sites and seem to have become worse after emergency services were required to change over to narrow banding by the FCC. We hope to utilize the Whidbey Telecom Tower located here in Point Roberts to place equipment above the treeline with a direct line of sight to Blaine. From there, other points of contact will be made ultimately ending in Bellingham at the Fire and EMS Emergency Dispatch Center known as Prospect. I am continuing to work with other organizations to establish partnerships that will help us solve this issue. 

I am awaiting the results of the Assistance to Firefighter Grants process. As you may remember, the District has two grants submitted. Thousands of departments from across the nation apply in the same manner and for the same limited funds in categories for medical equipment, fire equipment, wellness, personal protection equipment and many more. My hopes are high although guarded. The awards have been delayed due to the budget process in Washington, DC, but should be coming available soon. I will let you know if we are fortunate enough to be one of the few chosen for an award.
 

SERVICE Good progress has been made in the desire to provide more medical outreach in the community. I recently met with Whatcom Hospice to discuss the possibility of the District becoming a partner in the care and assessment of community members needing this service. Normally, there is only one Hospice Nurse on call in the county and I see a great opportunity through cooperation in being able to meet a patients request for help quickly by utilizing the District's emergency response personnel. 

Telemedicine (ex: FaceTime/Skype but more regulated and complex)is an avenue I continue to research and hope to use in some format in the future that could help reduce the amount of travel currently needed by an individual for meetings that don't require tests with their Primary Care Physician or other specialty providers. It is a fairly new concept in the United States and is coupled with legislation that can cause a headache. I will continue to take ibuprofen while working on opening avenues through conversations and idea sharing with interested organizations and practitioners. 

When calling 911 from your cell phone, make sure the operator understands you are in the United States. Also, help us find you quickly by having large, highly visible numbers on your home.

EVENTS Take time to remember that the Fire District provides CPR training the second Monday of every month at the Fire Hall on Benson Road. The performance of citizen CPR was crucial in helping save the life of a Point Roberts visitor last year. Come and participate for a few hours and learn the value and skills needed to help someone. I am also looking to provide First Aid courses this summer so keep your eyes peeled and ears to the ground for information. 

The District's Open House will be held on August 15th, so place it in your calendars!

SAFETY TIPS Home fires involving grilling incidents occur most often in the summer months. With the added concerns about drought, increasing temperatures and high winds, grilling not only poses a threat to houses, it can also start a grass or brush fire in our yards and quickly spread throughout the neighborhood. As you work on ways to safeguard your grill, try and take an extra step and include safety measures around your home. By following a few simple grilling safety tips, you can reduce the risk of a fire happening in and around your home. For more information, please visit the NFPA website. 
 

Point Roberts Registered Voters Association AGM: Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m., community center. Town hall format with guest speaker Whatcom County Executive Jack Louws. Following the open forum with Louws the group will elect board members, with the positions of two veteran board members coming vacant: Ruby White and Connie North. Info:prrva.org. 

Throwback Thursdays: Thursdays, Brewster's Fine Foods, 1379 Gulf Road. Live music upstairs. Info: 945-4545.

Trinity Community Choir and St. David's Community Choir Sing ABBA: Friday, April 10, 7 p.m., St. David's Anglican Church, 1115 51a Street, South Delta. The combined choirs sing a selection from ABBA's hits. Info: 945-7105.

Antique & Collectibles Evaluation Event: Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Bellingham Senior Activities Center, 315 Halleck Street, Bellingham. Bring trading cards, books, antiques, sports collectibles and antiques and get the scoop on their worth and turn them into cash. $6 per item evaluated or $15 for three. Food available for purchase. Info: 733-4030.

Sunny Sunday Flea Market: Every sunny Sunday, 11 a.m., Auntie Pam's Country Store, 1480 Gulf Road. Vendors need not register. Space is by donation to the new library fund. Info: 945-1626.

Capilano Flute Choir: Sunday, April 12, 3 p.m., Trinity Community Lutheran Church, 1880 APA Road. Professional flutist and professor Brenda Fedoruk, conductor of the 17-piece flute choir, will be returning with this popular group in their fourth appearance. Info: 945-7105.

CPR Class: Monday, April 13, 6-10 p.m., fire hall, 2030 Benson Road. Learn adult, child and infant CPR, choking assistance and AED use. The class is free, and the certification card is $5. Info: chief@wcfd5.com.  

South Delta Evergreen Garden Club: Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 p.m., Kin House, 5050 47th Avenue, Ladner. Terry Groszeibl will speak on the world of orchids. Visitors and new members always welcome. Info: 604/940-0937.

Cowal-Earle Duo Present "Vignettes of Canada": Saturday, April 25, 3 p.m., Trinity Community Lutheran Church, 1880 APA Road. Brilliant clarinetist Shawn Earle performing pieces from his doctoral recital for UBC accompanied by Rory Cowal. Info: 945-7105.