Dear board directors — 78 years ago, Bill Barnes was born to a young couple who were in the process of building a small home on the southwest side of the Island.

He grew up there with his siblings, and still has not left the property.

In 1964, Bill joined the volunteer fire department. He became one of the first three professional firefighters who were hired in 1967. I came to the Island in 1960. We met in the MIHS Band, and were married in 1965. We raised three boys here, the oldest of whom is a King County paramedic.

Bill spent 31 years in the Mercer Island Fire Department and saw many changes during that time, including several proposals to merge the department with other Eastside departments. In each case, it was decided that not enough benefits were seen to changing what has worked so well for Island residents.

Recently, we have personally had reasons to call on the firefighters for their assistance. Three years ago, my heart stopped while I was driving on Island Crest Way, and my car stopped against a huge tree. Other drivers stopped and called 911, and the aid car was there within 3 minutes. Imagine my relief when one of the firefighters looked in the window and said: “Sue, is that you?” Battalion Chief Steve Mair was there, and when I asked him to call Bill, he drove to our house to notify him in person.

Earlier this month, we had to call because I was exhibiting all the signs of stroke. When they arrived at the house (again in less than 5 minutes), we were pleased to see Lt. Trevor Kissel, who had worked with Bill just before he retired. He and his crew were so professional in their work that I was immediately put at ease and knew that I was in good hands. They transported me to the hospital, where I spent 5 days being treated for a condition that was, thankfully, not a stroke.

We urge you to keep our firefighters on the Island, where they serve us so well. We have spoken with neighbors and friends on the Island who have had interactions with the department, and they are also concerned with the possibility of losing our firefighters to another community.

Take a look at the letters received from Island residents concerning their interactions with these well trained, professional, caring people, and reconsider putting them in a rotation someplace where they do not know the people, and will not get the chance to know them.

Bill and Sue Barnes,

Mercer Island