PART 1 OF 3: SJI Fire & Rescue – ‘We turned something around that was headed in the wrong direction’ (20 mins)
A SAN JUANS.TODAY VIDEO IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Directed by: Dave Schnuckel
Audio Engineer: Jeremy Tyler
Summary written by: Jeff Noedel
Dwight Colley, Chair Fire District 3, and Noel Monin, Chief, San Juan Island Fire & Rescue were our guests Tuesday.
The interview begins with Dwight stating that the best decision the Fire District 3 Commissioners have made in many years was the appointment of Noel Monin as Chief of the agency. Then Dwight tells the story of how he came to run for the office of Commissioner two years ago.
When Dwight was sworn in as Commissioner, there was still significant discord in the agency.
Dwight said, “It’s been an experience: turning something around that was headed in the wrong direction. And it has turned around. And it wasn’t just me; it was the other two (Commissioners), as well. And the Chief. And things are going the way they should be going now.”
At 7:00 minutes into the interview, Chief Monin described how he moved to San Juan Island many years ago, as a park ranger, and how that led to him becoming a firefighter.
Monin was well known to the community before becoming fire chief because for 14 years he served as a Friday Harbor Town Council representative.
(13:00) The Chief explains how Fire & Rescue interfaces with San Juan Island EMS.
(14:45) The chief explains the three types of firefighters: full-time paid staff, part-time paid staff, and fee-paid volunteers. The agency has 40 volunteers, 33 of whom are active firefighters. He said 50 is the number of volunteers they really need.
Chief Monin explains how the firehouse is staffed 24/7.
(18:45) We ask if the pay for paid full- and part-time firefighters is competitive, and how is morale in the agency?
This CNL2 video is approximately 20-1/2 minutes in duration. This is part one of a three-part series.
Additional links:
- San Juan Island Fire & Rescue (website)
- San Juan Island Fire & Rescue (Facebook)
- San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office (County website)
- San Juan Island EMS (website)
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