Submitted by San Juan Fire & Rescue

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, San Juan Fire & Rescue was paged to a confirmed structure fire on White Point Road, activating an island wide response of the Fire Department, SJIEMS, OPALCO, and Roche Harbor Water Dept.

First to arrive on scene was Engine35 (stationed in Roche Harbor), followed by Chief31, Division37, Med11, Ops31, EMS11, Engine 31 (Mullis Street), Engine 33 (Little Mountain Station), Rescue31, Tender36 (Three Corner Lake Road), OPALCO, and Tender33. Upon arrival Engine 35 immediately ensured that no people were in the building, and no one was injured and in need of medical attention, before setting up fire attack.

A total of 6,000 gallons of water were necessary to extinguish the fire. 20 members of San Juan Fire & Rescue were on scene (Three employed, 17 volunteers), plus four members of EMS (three employed, one volunteer). Additional valuable help was provided by a neighbor. It took 130 man-hours from first arrival on scene to final cleanup of hoses, gear, and equipment.

A big thank you to the dispatch team at the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department, EMS, OPALCO, Roche Harbor Water, and most of all the many employers on this island who allow our only emergency response volunteers to leave their jobs at a moment’s notice to protect our community.