Call 9-1-1 any time there is immediate danger to a person or property or any crime in progress.

In Oak Harbor and Island County, all 9-1-1 calls go to a central dispatch center (ICOM) which will determine the agency that will respond to the incident and what apparatus and personnel are needed to control the emergency.

In a non-emergency situation, you may contact ICOM 24-hours/day at (360) 679-9567.

Back to Top

What if I suspect someone is burning illegally, how do I make a complaint?

Most outdoor burning, including the burning of yard debris, is banned within the City limits of Oak Harbor and it's Urban Growth Areas (UGA's) (see these areas here: www.islandcounty.net/planning/Burn%20Ban%20Info/OH-UGA.pdf); however burning is allowed in many areas of Island County if current burn regulations are followed.

If you suspect that someone is burning illegally, you should call the non-emergency dispatch number: 679-9567.

CONTACT 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY if there is EXCESSIVE SMOKE or you suspect the fire may be out of control!

Back to Top

What are the current burn regulations?

Washington State law permanently banned land-clearing and residential burning within the City of Oak Harbor and its urban growth area as of January 1, 2001.

Some burning is allowed in Island County: Burn Ban Information: (800) 622-4627 ext. 4   >> Recreational, Residential & Land-Clearing Information: (360) 679-7343

For local outdoor burning regulations and information view the Northwest Clean Air Agency website.

Did you know....

• Burning Garbage has been illegal in Washington since 1967.
• You may be charged a fee if your fire department is called out to your fire due to illegal burning.
• Where burning is allowed, written permits are required for all fires over 4 feet in diameter. Verbal permits are required for fires less than 4 feet in diameter. Call 800-622-4627, ext. 4 for a verbal permit.
• The Fire Warden must inspect all land-clearing burn piles prior to burning (permit required).
• The Washington State Department on Ecology has published a very informative website (including a list of frequently asked questions about outdoor burning).

Back to Top

Is it true that Oak Harbor Fire Department issues free bicycle helmets?

Yes, thanks to a generous grant from the North Region EMS & Trauma Care Council and donations from local businesses, OHFD issues bike helmets to children free of charge and has done so since 1996. The child must be accompanied by an adult parent/guardian and can come to Station 81 at 855 E. Whidbey Avenue to be properly fitted by fire department personnel. The parent/guardian will be required to fill out a brief questionnaire. For more information on bike helmet safety, visit the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute website.

Back to Top

Does the Fire Department install or inspect infant and/or child car seats?

Unfortunately, this is not a service we are currently able to provide. To find the nearest inspection station, please see www.seatcheck.org or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at www.nhtsa.gov.

Back to Top

Does the Fire Department dispose of unexploded fireworks or expired flares?

The Fire Department is unable to dispose of unexploded fireworks or expired flares. Fireworks may be safely disposed of after they have been completely submerged in water for 24 hours. For more information on disposing of hazardous materials (including expired flares), contact Island County Public Works at (360) 679-7338

Back to Top

Do you offer CPR or First Aid Courses?

At this time the Oak Harbor Fire Department does not have sufficient staff to offer CPR and First Aid Courses, however several courses are offered locally by the  American Red Cross; (360) 675-2912, or (888) 216-5727 and Central Whidbey Fire & Rescue; (360) 678-3602.

Back to Top

Does the Fire Department Inspect Fire Extinguishers?

No, the Fire Department does not inspect fire extinguishers. Please refer to "Fire Extinguishers" in the Yellow Pages for businesses that specialize in fire extinguisher inspection, repair and sales.

Back to Top

Can my organization reserve your training classroom as our meeting site?

Station 81 has a 1200 square foot classroom that is maintained for training purposes. It is used daily for training classes and shift briefings. It is also the site of the Island County Firefighter Recruit Academy. At this time OHFD is unprepared to offer the use of the classroom to outside organizations.

Back to Top

Can I have my blood pressure checked at the Fire Department?

Yes! Stop by Station 81 during our business hours, 8am-5pm Monday through Friday and one of our Firefighters will be happy to check your blood pressure. Station 81 is located at 855 E. Whidbey Avenue, Oak Harbor, WA.

Back to Top

What type of fire alarm / smoke detector should I buy?

While the Oak Harbor Fire Department strongly encourages everyone to install and maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their home, we do not recommend one brand of detector over another. Very useful information about selecting, installing and maintaining smoke detectors can be found on the USFA and NFPA websites; including information about which detectors have been recalled.

Back to Top

What will the City of Oak Harbor do when disaster strikes?

The City of Oak Harbor has a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) developed by the Director of Emergency Management and approved by City Council. The 188 page CEMP is available online (CEMP: 1.20MG pdf file) and at City Hall.

Back to Top

Do you have Tot Finder stickers? Should I use them?

This is a great question and one which often brings about controversy when answered.

Oak Harbor Fire Department prefers to teach a proactive, quick response to fires and believe the use of "Tot Finder" decals could provide a false sense of security for your family. Through various public education programs, we begin educating children at a very young age about the basics of a home escape plan. Children are taught the importance of responding quickly to a smoke alarm, knowing two ways out of each room, crawling low in smoke and having a meeting place outside their home. Children may feel that by having this decal on their window, it will be okay to stay and wait for the fire department and this is not the message we are trying to teach them. Children need to learn the importance of getting out of the house as quickly as possible and get to the family's meeting place so they can be counted as safe.

There are other reasons why the use of these stickers is not recommended. One being that when children grow up and move away from home, or change bedrooms in the house, the decal remains in the window. Perhaps the room has been converted to an office or den and is no longer a bedroom at all. This places firefighters at undue risk by directing them to search for a child when in fact there are no children in that room or living at home.

Another reason why the decals are not recommended is because it provides a vulnerable spot for your home. The decals could act as a signal to unwanted individuals directing them to the location of your children.

Finally, it is important to understand that when a fire department responds for a fire, they are trained to perform a systematic search of the entire house. If firefighters were to first look for windows containing a "Tot Finder" decal, and search only those rooms, precious time would be wasted.

If you have decals in your home, we recommend removing them. Then get your family together and take the time to develop a fire escape plan indicating two ways out of each room and a meeting place outside. Be sure you have at least one smoke detector on each level of your home and remember to test them every month. Once you have a plan developed, you need to practice it to be sure everyone knows what to do. You can make it more interesting by blocking an exit with a sign stating that a particular exit is blocked by smoke or fire so family members will have to use their second way out.

Back to Top

Does the Fire Department inspect new Family Child Daycare facilities?

Yes! If your Family Child Daycare will be located within the Oak Harbor City limits and you will be caring for 12 or fewer children (including all children that reside in the home), call our Fire Marshal at (360) 279-4700 to schedule an appointment. Congratulations on your new venture!

Back to Top

Copyright © OHFD. All rights reserved.
Revised: June 25, 2008.