Fireside Chat with Chief Carleton

 Another year has come and gone. As we head into the Holiday season, I hope you're able to pause and appreciate the moments you have with family and friends. It's easy to get swept up in the pace of everyday life and lose sight of what's right in front of us. Your health is someone else's hope. Your home is someone else's wish. Sometimes what we already have is exactly enough.

With appreciation,
Chief Carleton

PUBLIC

We are still feeling the ripple effects of the pandemic. Border traffic remains lower than it was before, political tensions between our countries seem higher, and confidence in those elected to represent us continues to erode. In times like these, it's fair to wonder who or what we can rely on.

My answer remains the same: trust in compassion and in the way we treat one another. Every person comes with different life experiences, beliefs, and perspectives. What we can choose is how we respond to each other and how we move forward. As adults, we can act with kindness, patience, and forgiveness—even when it isn't easy.

I'm no different than anyone else. I have good days and bad days, and there are moments when my reactions don't meet the standards, I expect of myself. But every new situation gives us another opportunity to choose differently. That choice carries real power, even if we don't always get it right.

Do what you can to lean toward empathy, compassion, and understanding. This doesn't mean ignoring harmful behavior or lowering expectations. In my role as Fire Chief, two things I cannot overlook are poor conduct and mediocrity—they become culture if left unaddressed. Take time to reflect with honesty and remember that no one in this community faces life alone.

SERVICE

Our district continues to grow and enhance the services we provide. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the dedication of our new mission drone in honor of David Ho, who we lost two years ago. This drone allows us to operate in poor weather, provides thermal imaging and night-vision capability, and adds an important resource to our emergency response efforts.

We also held a moment of silence for David Anderson, who remains missing. Please stay aware as you move through our community and across the border and keep David and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

In addition, our new cardiac monitor—the Lifepak 35—has arrived. Our members are training on it now, and it will be placed into service in early December. This monitor will allow our responders to deliver the highest level of cardiac assessment and care available.

COMMUNITY

As we approach the holidays, here are some safety reminders to help keep your home and family protected—many of these are useful all year long:

1. Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove
2. Keep a Class ABC fire extinguisher accessible and know how to use it
3. Test smoke alarms before the holidays and twice a year
4. Install a CO detector if you have gas appliances
5. Don't run extension cords under rugs or overload outlets
6. Never leave candles burning unattended
7. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything flammable and unplug when not in use
8. Water real Christmas trees regularly and turn off lights when away or asleep

Important reminder for Point Roberts residents:
If you're calling from a cell phone, dial 360-676-6911 to reach emergency dispatch. Cell calls may connect to Canadian towers and route to Canadian 911. Landlines should still dial 911 as usual.

For more safety resources, visit: www.nfpa.org/Public-Education