Soundings (5/3/05)
*Barry reminds us that the June 14 meeting will be at Brooks Manufacturing!
*Bob Moles reminder about the Support Brunch for Pure Water for the World, noon on June 12 at Mount Baker Theatre's meeting room. Learn about the Honduras projects. Raffle tix will be available too.
Soundings: May 3, 2005
Invocation and flag salute: by Joel Hile
Guest: Joe Morse, Adam Porter (manger Home Depot), Ken Larsen (VP Real Estate at Banner Bank), Mike Tull (Bob's son, graduating this year from auto program at WWU) and Doug Walker (physician's assistant at the Hospital).
Other Announcements:
*Stowe reports that we have moved to a new Website, but you can find it at the same address (www.bellinghambayrotary.com). Stowe will give a training session to the club soon. To log on, your username is Firstname.Lastname.265, and the password is 265. Please update your personal info and change your password.
*Tonja Myer's "Charitable Funding" Committee to meet after the Program.
*Ron thanks Gerald for the previous Website effort, and thanks Stowe for initiating the new Website.
Bucks in Bay:
Ron - Dinner Rotario at the Plumes
Dave Nichols - Retirement, motorcycle accident because of following too closely, passing of local attorney Sam Peach.
Robin S - trip to San Diego for BGC conference, and thanks to her boss Lynn Templeton for providing her with Mothers Day weekend vacation with kids to Deer Harbor Resort;
Gerald - Rotario at Plumes;
Patti - San Diego Conference for Hospital, and trip to Hawaii;
Mike K - trip to Oregon with 8-month old, and 35 year wedding anniversary;
Denise B - 20 year wedding anniversary;
Barry - trip to Gulf Islands;
Curtis - Linux festival at Technical College;
Gordon P - Rotario dinner, thanks to wife/chef Robin;
Terry Brown - Trip to Hawaii, also grand opening of his latest project: Convention center in Lynwood.
Lynn T - Ongoing saga of the custody battle for son's dog;
Bob Jones - recent 30 year wedding anniversary!
Anna - trip to Memphis;
Steve K - daughter graduating from Gonzaga, memorial fund there for Brian Brett;
Chuck W - trip to Nebraska, Hastings College honored the Walters at a banquet;
Mimi - Upcoming trip to Mexico for 40-year reunion of her college friends;
Sergeant at Arms: Marjorie Brown
Fines for no Rotary pins, not sitting at front table. Quiz on First Ladies.
Program: Bill Boyd of the Bellingham Fire Department
BFD is more than just firefighting: The Bellingham Fire Department provides fire, rescue, E.M.T., and paramedic level emergency services to the City, plus Whatcom Medic One to the county. We employ 134 uniformed men and women working over three shifts and staffing six stations. 31 fire fighting and emergency medical services personnel are on duty 24 hours a day.
Why does a fire engine respond when I call for ambulance ambulence? EMS operates under a tiered response system. The first responders are Bellingham firefighters dispatched from the closest station to the emergency, along with a paramedic unit from Bellingham Fire Department Station One. Bellingham firefighters are trained emergency technicians who, because of their close proximity, usually arrive first and are able to render aid until the paramedics arrive. They then provide support to the paramedics while they care for the patient. This system provides the quickest response possible and enough personnel to efficiently provide care and manage the scene. Some Bellingham fire engine companies also have a firefighter/paramedic on board.
Of the incidents in 2004, 84% were EMS related (11,000 incidents), 52% of those in City limits, and 47% required transporting the patient. 6.5% annual growth projected, with increasingly limited funding. Budget $20 million for 2005, incl. $10 million for fire ops and $4.9 million for Medic One. Budget reduction efforts underway: Eliminate staff, defer FF positions, creation of BLS (Basic Life Support) units and increase inspection fees.
Respectfully Submitted, Stowe Talbot