Controlled burn, new apparatus discussed at BI fire meeting

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, September 3, 2025

The Bainbridge Island Fire Department Board of Commissioners received an update about the recent Bloedel Reserve controlled burn, as well as discussed the agency’s goal to accept a new type three fire apparatus as part of its Aug. 27 meeting.

BIFD deputy chief Jermey Mendola provided the board with an update about the controlled burn at Bloedel Reserve, which encompassed roughly one and a quarter acres and seven BIFD full-time members.

“We had a very successful burn last year, but this one was much more successful, much more thorough. We were able to get several members and several members from neighboring departments in for some additional training that they needed for their task books,” he said.

The Poulsbo Fire Department also participated with four members and their brush truck, he said. BIFD had four volunteers who participated, as well as members of Bainbridge Prepares and Bloedel Reserve staff members.

“It was a learning opportunity for our less experienced members to understand that type of burning, how to lay down fire back with the torches, how those fires work under certain conditions,” Mendola said.

BIFD fire chief Jared Moravec said in an email that Bloedel is the only local partner BIFD is currently working with to complete prescribed fire projects. He said other agencies have expressed interest in working with BIFD in the future for prescribed burns.

“We’re at a good spot to build this thing, and we’re doing something nobody else on Puget Sound is doing,” he said.

Regarding the new type three fire apparatus which the agency intends to use to bolster wildland firefighting, Mendola said BIFD has reviewed the soon-to-be-delivered fire apparatus from the manufacturer. “We plan on delivery, making sure those items are all resolved,” he said.

Some of the change items BIFD has requested from the manufacturer can be fixed by the in-house mechanic. These include installation of a backup camera and replacing the backup alarm system. BIFD does not have a determined delivery date as of the meeting, although the agency is hoping to take delivery of the vehicle soon, Mendola said.

Moravec shared additional updates regarding the future Highway 305 and High School Road roundabout project. He had a meeting with the state Department of Transportation as a preliminary meet and greet opportunity. He said the agency reached out proactively to get input from BIFD ahead of any design work.

“They reached out to make sure that they understood what our concerns were before they even started design, and they’re proactively communicating with us,” he said.

Moravec also said the U.S. Army recently visited Station 21 on Madison Avenue on a Blackhawk helicopter with the second battalion, 158th Combat Aviation Regiment, from the Joint Lewis-McChord military base in Tacoma to practice operating on the station’s helipad.

“I think that will serve us well in the future,” he said.