Bainbridge Island, Washington – The Bainbridge Island Fire Department provides EMS, Fire Prevention Education and Fire Suppression services. They currently have three (3) fire stations, with one (1) fully staffed by both paid and volunteer firefighters. The other two (2) are volunteer stations.
This Department has had an interesting beginning from the very start of time.
1942: Summer. Formed by Louis W. Sinnett as Kitsap County Fire Protection District #2. (1) truck and (16) volunteers were called by telephone at home to respond to fires.
1955: (1) station in Wilson. Manned by volunteers, also dispatched all calls.
1971: Don Beach became first Fire Chief.
1972: Airlifts begin with assistance from Army MAST helicopters.
1976: Answering and Dispatching of all Emergency calls was taken over by 9-1-1, CenCom out of Bremerton. Still known as “CenCom” to this day.
1970’s (mid): Medical and first-aid calls were quickly becoming a mainstay for the Department’s operations. Changes in responses needed. Rotary Club purchased a defibrillator for department use.
1974: Began offering CPR Classes.
1975: (2) Fully equipped Aid cars were purchased.
1976: Up-to-date equipment were purchased with Rotary Support support.
1978: First paid Firefighters began.
1979-99: Rapid growth and expansion.
1993: Voters approve a new levy.
1994: Bainbridge Island Fire Department becomes an “Official” Fire Department.
1996: Plans in process to build a new Station to include a Training Facility.
2005: A temporary Levy is approved to Replace Emergency Response Apparatus.
2006: Voters approve Fire Commissioners to be increased from (3) to (5).
FIRE STATIONS
Station 21:
Located at 8895 Madison Avenue N.E., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 is home to the Department’s Headquarters, Administrative and Operations Divisions and the Fire Marshal’s Office. Constructed originally in 1979, they built an addition in 2000 increasing their apparatus bay space.
(7) Full-time Administrative Personnel, (6) Full-time Emergency Response Personnel per shift, (2) Engines, (1) Rescue Truck, (1) Ladder, (2) Tenders, (1) Aid Car, (1) Medic Unit. (per 2009-2010 Information). (1) Separate building for (4) Resident Volunteer Firefighters. (1) Fleet Fueling Facility. Several Response Trailers. (2) Bays are rented by Bainbridge Island Ambulance Service.
The Fire Chief currently oversees (21) Uniformed Firefighters and Command Staff positions, (6.5) Non-Uniformed Positions (Mechanic, Finance, Support, Volunteer Recruitment and Retention), (15) Volunteers and (9) Special Service Volunteers.
Station 22:
Is manned by (3) Resident Volunteer Firefighters. This station is located at 7934 NE Bucklin HIll Road, Bainbridge Island, WA was built in 1959, the oldest active station on the Island. There are currently (1) Engine, (1) Tender and (1) Aid Unit. It also houses Fleet Maintenance and an Emergency Vehicle Tech.
Station 23:
Is also a Volunteer station and is manned by (3) Resident Firefighters. This station originally located at 9421 NE Day Rd. was a former fire station apparatus garage, is now a storage space for the B.I. Police Department. It was built in 1963 and replaced later (no date known) at a new location on Phelps Rd.
The Bainbridge Island Fire Department responds to over 2800 calls per year to approximately to 23,500 Islanders in a 28-mile area and is responsible for providing EMS services to over 8,000 Washington State Ferry commuters.
By Lisa Swenson, Staff Writer
(c) 2012 The NW Fire Blog
Sources: Bainbridge Island Fire Department website, B.I. Firefighters.
FOOTNOTE
Want more information about the Bainbridge Island Fire Department or if you wish to volunteer? Contact them on their website at http://www.bifd.org or by calling (206) 842-7686. Their business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. You may also contact the Bainbridge Island Volunteer Firefighters Association.
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