Orcas Island Graduates Record Fire Academy Class
The Orcas Island Fire Department graduated its largest-ever academy class, with 30 recruits including six high school cadets. The intensive, hands-on training involved ladder climbs, hose hauls, and ventilation cuts in full gear, reflecting the physical and mental demands new firefighters face. The event highlights a trend of service-minded recruits entering the fire service across Washington and underscores the camaraderie typical of academy life.
- The 30 recruits in the 2026 academy represent a nearly 50 percent increase in the department's volunteer membership. - This is the first fire academy in 13 years to include high school cadets; six students aged 15-18 are training alongside the adult recruits. - The training, which began on January 3rd and runs through April, includes weekend sessions and two Thursday evenings each month. - Recruits will earn certifications for Firefighter 1 and 2 from the Washington State Fire Marshal's Office, as well as HAZMAT certification. - In March, the recruits will travel to the state Fire Training Academy in North Bend for mandatory live-fire training exercises. - Orcas Island Fire Chief Chad Kimple and Division Chief Sam Fowler both began their careers in the fire service as teenage cadets. - The significant increase in volunteers may improve homeowner insurance ratings for island residents through the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau (WSRB). - This local recruiting success contrasts with national trends, where many volunteer fire departments are struggling with declining membership and low morale.
