Editor,

The icicle Christmas lights over the balcony danced animatedly as the wind picked up, and then the lights flickered. I lit candles to be on the safe side and set about making dinner, but as I was about to serve it, my partner Leckey’s pager erupted in static: “South Whidbey Fire, staff your stations.”

Leckey put on his duty coat, grabbed his radio, and headed into the night. I put his uneaten dinner in the refrigerator, and then the lights went out.

Warm and dry, I read a book with a flashlight, enjoying the silence inside. But outside, a neighbor’s wind chimes clattered wildly, gusts of wind slammed into the side of the building, and items flew off porches.

Between 40 and 50 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians (or EMTs) headed to six fire stations, bunked up, got into fire engines and rescue vehicles, and responded to more than 60 calls. Although 911 dispatchers were able to take all the calls that came in, there were far too many to relay over the radio, so fire chiefs dispatched teams as calls showed up on computer maps.

While I read my book, emergency responders cleared roadways that prevented them from reaching people who needed their aid. In wind gusts up to 65 mph, they put their own lives in danger as trees and branches continued to fall all around them.

I went to bed worried for Leckey’s safety, but he came home at 2 a.m., tired and sore. On Friday, volunteer firefighters and EMTs all over Whidbey Island struggled to get through the day on half a night’s sleep.

I’m writing to thank South Whidbey Fire/EMS volunteers for the way they care for their community and to remind them that, through Whidbey CareNet, their community cares for them. More than 30 providers offer free services to our community’s emergency responders. And storms like last night’s remind us why.

In gratitude,

PETRA MARTIN

Whidbey CareNet founder