Tom Odegard, San Juan County Fire District 3 | Firefighter of the Month

July 15, 2008 3:41 am
Tom Odegard ... says the fire department comprises ‘real people who unstintingly give 100 percent.’
Tom Odegard ... says the fire department comprises ‘real people who unstintingly give 100 percent.’

Full name: Thomas S. Odegard

Where were you born?: Amherst, Mass.

Familial status (married/children/pets): Married/daughter/wildlife.

Name a favorite food/music/team/show, etc.: Food, menudo. Music, David Byrne and Prokofiev. Berkeley Poetry Slam. No TV. “Original Hitchkiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” “Strangelove,” “Tampopo.” Poets: Wallace Stevens, Hart Crane, Shakespeare, John Rowe. Authors: Jeanette Winterson.

What kind of hobbies do you have?: Writing and reading prose, poetry. “Paying attention.”

What is your day job?: What is the most interesting job you’ve held? Keeping up with the homestead and my wife, Connie. Jack of all trades, building our own house, firefighting.

What brought you to San Juan Island?: A 30-foot Fisher sailboat and the will to cruise the Northwest.

What area do you live in?: North end of the False Bay watershed, south end of Egg Lake Road.

What do you like about living on San Juan Island?: Having lots to do; sharing love and mutual respect with friends, firefighters and islanders.

What do you find is the hardest part about living on San Juan Island?: Small ponds, literally and figuratively.

What comes to mind when you hear “Only on San Juan Island …”?: “That’s good for the island.” “Under the radar,” and ferry schedules as a reading comprehension test.

What is your position/job within the department?: Captain (retired). Tender/pump driver operator. Water boss. Traffic control.

When and why did you join the fire department?: 1992. I went in to get a burn permit, to meet people.

What do you like best about the department?: Real-time adventure with real people who unstintingly give 100 percent.

What has been your most exciting event since joining the department?: North Bend with Joaquin Hubbard, Haymakers, Henry Island wildfire, town grocery fire.

What did you find the hardest firefighting skill to learn?: Balancing incoming supply with multiple outgoing hose streams.

Do you have other volunteer activities?: Green Party, poetry at the library.

Describe your ideal day off: Staying in bed late, reading, writing, and talking time out for cutting and stacking firewood, hot tubbing, sweat lodging or taking a long hot shower.

What are you most proud of?: Accepting love and passing it on without strings.

What would you like on your epitaph?: It is about love… meanwhile keep an eye on the light!