The Ocean Shores Fire Dept. put on an egg hunt, Easter Sunday at North Beach High School. Would a little (or even a lot of) rain keep the kids from hunting? 

Of course not!

Hadley Ritter, daughter of Brian (of the OSFD) & Suzy Ritter displays North Beach Easter fashion (photos by Mike McGregor):

Not quite as many kids as in years past, which meant more eggs for the hearty ones in attendance:

It’s not often that a Letter to the Editor appears on the front page. This one, from Michael Boyle, who took the time from his grieving to deliver it in person, tells more about a community than a staff-written story could ever hope to:

This is long over due.  We have lived in Ocean Shores for 3 and one-half years and have needed the services of the Ocean Shores Fire Department on probably a dozen occasions. 

My wife, Michele was in poor health and suffered a series of strokes and heart attacks plus some serious falls during this time.  Every time, the OSFD responded in 10 minutes or less to transport her to Grays Harbor Community Hospital. It has always been done with professionalism and respect.  

They have treated Michele like she was a relative of their own. The kindness and love, yes love, was very apparent. I cannot say enough to express my gratitude to everyone, whether paramedic/EMT or firefighter for the manner in which she was treated.

Michele died this past week on March 26, 2009.  She asked me two weeks ago to be sure and thank the guys and gals at the Ocean Shores Fire Department for all the kindness they have shown her.

I’ve been stopped in the IGA supermarket and asked by OSFD personnel how Michele was doing.  I’ve had OSFD personnel see her in the parking lot of a restaurant and assist her into our car from her wheelchair. They didn’t do it because they were being paid; as they were off duty…..They did it because they cared!!

We have a special group of people here to serve us; well trained and very, very caring.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and God bless you all!!

Michael B. Boyle

Ocean Shores

Ocean Shores Fire Department reports 125 incidents in March, of the total 114 Emergency Medical Service calls:

03/09/2009 CATALA AV SE AV ABD PAIN                          1 EMS 

03/09/2009  OCEAN SHORES BLVD NW BVD UNCONCIOUS                        1 EMS 

 03/09/2009  CATALA AVE SE AV  BLEEDING ARM                      1 EMS 

Fire Chief Jim Hodges purchased this beauty for a mere $5,000 from an eastern Washington fire department. It’s a 1981 model, with only 30,000 miles. Council had authorized up to $30,000, so Hodges saved the city a big chunk of money. It was displayed at Monday’s council meeting.

In other good news, Sam Cohea and ACT presented checks for $3,100 to the Senior Center and North Beach Tennis Association; the latter turned the money over to the Parks and Recreation Department, to help with the Summer Recreation Program.

Pro’s: Convenient to shopping, right next to the IGA and ACE Hardware; just two blocks (OK, long blocks) from the beach; nice big lot in the heart of booming downtown; historic landmark of Ocean Shores.

Cons: It’s falling apart.

It’s the Ocean Shores Fire Station! The City is building a new one, just south on Point Brown Ave., so O.S. is getting ready to put the old one up for sale.

According to Mayor Dean Bunkers:

“Appraised value is $250,000.  We’ll sell it to you today for $500,000, just send the check.  No decision has been made concerning the ‘For Sale’ sign.”

(In case you didn’t catch it, he was joking about the check for $500K. But then again . . .)

Turn the clocks one hour ahead, on March 8. And, says the OSFD:

“This is also a good time to change your smoke detector batteries. The Ocean Shores Fire Department can give you assistance if you need it. Remember that smoke detectors are like seat belts ‘They Save Lives.’ Give us a call if you have any questions. (360) 289-3611″

103 calls in a three-week period:

Ocean Shores Fire Dept. 

 02/05/2009  CATALA AV SE AV LETHARGIC                         1 EMS 

 02/05/2009 PT BROWN AVE SE AV NAUSEA AND VOMITING              1 EMS 

This should have been posted two weeks ago, but got lost in the shuffle. (Sorry, Lillian!) An up-dated one should be ready soon.

OSFD 

Fire and EMS Combined List by Incident Number 

09-0000001- 01/01/2009  SR 115 SR DIABETIC PROBLEM                  1 EMS 

09-0000002- 01/01/2009  CATALA AV SE AV INFECTION                         1 EMS 

09-0000003- 01/01/2009  FAIRWOOD DR SW DRI DIFF BREATHING                    1 EMS 

The Fire Rating for Ocean Shores improved from a “6″ to a “5.” What that could mean to you: better insurance rates. Probably a good idea to check with your insurance person.

Details on this to follow.

Chief Jim Hodges was on the hot seat, Tuesday evening, as he and Mayor Dean Bunkers met with business owners ranging from concerned to livid. The topic: newly implemented (but “on the books” for years) fees for inspections and propane gas tanks.

One hotel owner, sitting just a few feet from the chief, repeatedly accused him of a “money grab” for the fees. A man sitting in the back of the Shilo conference room suggested the fire cheif’s job be eliminated. A small restaurant owner was literally jumping up and down in anger, demanding “What’s going to happen if I don’t pay this (expletive)?”

Most people, facing such open hostilities, might have lost their cool. Not Chief Hodges; chaos is his business, and he maintained his composure just as if he were facing a roaring fire.

Which, in a way, he was.