Volunteer fire fighters rush to a hay field that caught ablaze right before the Fourth of July Parade.

Fire Chief Jim Ghiglione prepares the ambulance for fund-raising.

The Lopez Island Fire and EMS departments were so busy behind the scenes of the Forth of July parade this year that they missed an opportunity long in the planning. To kick off the fund-raising drive for the 10 new AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillator) the ambulance was draped in large, attractive, handmade banners. EMTs and Firefighters were planning to walk behind the ambulance and hand out cards that detailed the need for the AEDs and provided helpful information about cardiac arrest and how to recognize it.

All this preparation had to be abandoned at the very last minute. As the parade was getting under way, there was a call to a hay field on fire. All Lopez Fire units were called into action as the danger from fire anywhere was extreme. During the fire, an aid call came out for an injury from a fall. As the fire battle was winding down after some hours, there was a call to what sounded like a severe injury on the parade route. Early in the afternoon, fire units went to the fireworks ground to water down the dry grasses. This took six firefighters about two hours. After a small break all Lopez Fire Department assets were deployed around the fireworks show on the ready for fire suppression and emergency medical response.

So, the “best laid plans” for a major appeal to the public for new AEDs had to be scrapped. It is hoped that the Fire and EMS members can pick up the pieces and continue with the drive. You will see them at various places in the Village with a banner and the cards that didn’t get handed out. Please consider making a donation in person or by mail to PO Box 911. We have had some generous donations already and have promises of more. Thank you Lopez!