Engine 53 and its crew go to work Saturday evening to investigate a report of heavy “smoke in the area” just north of Freeland. We assisted South Whidbey Fire/EMS with searching the location and fortunately it was determined there was no emergency.
These are relatively common 911 calls on rural Whidbey. More often than not it’s a permitted outdoor fire or, like the call we went to a few hours later north of Coupeville, just burned toast. But, due to the deadly nature of house fires, until fire departments know for sure that it’s a false alarm they respond as if it’s a true emergency with lights and sirens.
When it comes to the real thing where lives and property are at risk, every second counts. Rest assured we know it are on our way!
Original source can be found here.
