ARLINGTON – When the mother of two teenage girls died of a heart attack, volunteers from Support 46 came to comfort them.
They were there, too, to help care for Dayna Fure’s family and friends after the 18-year-old Stanwood woman was killed by her former boyfriend. And they came when a Marysville woman’s home caught fire.
“Anytime they need us, we’re there,” said Arlington fire and police chaplain Dennis Sonsteby, who came up with the idea for Support 46 last year.
Volunteers transformed an aging ambulance donated by the Oso Fire Department into an on-call support vehicle. It’s filled with blankets, coffee, snacks and “comfort packs” that include shampoo, toothpaste and washcloths.
The rolling disaster-relief center is staffed by volunteers and fire department chaplains.
The unit started responding to calls in February 2003. During its first year, it handled more than 60 requests for emergency assistance, Sonsteby said.
Volunteers have spent up to a dozen hours at the scenes of fires, drownings and other tragedies. Last month, they spent about 70 hours on calls.
“These are the most difficult moments of a person’s life, when they need help the most,” Sonsteby said. “Firefighters and police are there to take care of the physical needs. That’s their role. What we’re there to provide is the emotional support.”
Support 46 serves Arlington, Smokey Point, Darrington, Granite Falls, Marysville, Stanwood and other north county areas as requested. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Arlington pays for Support 46’s gas, insurance and some other costs. Fire districts, businesses and community members also have given donations.
Sonsteby is seeking permanent funding for Support 46 and eventually hopes to make it and North Snohomish County Support Services a full-time part of north county’s emergency services.
North Snohomish County firefighters and police say the Support 46 van, volunteers and chaplains are needed.
“When you have a person who died suddenly and unexpectedly, whether it be by accident or disease, it’s like a pebble in a pond. There’s a wave of emotional trauma that goes out to everyone connected to that person,” Marysville Fire Department Battalion Chief Martin McFalls said.
“Many of those people will come to the scene. That’s when I’ve seen Support 46 come in with their chaplains and be there to care for them,” he said. “Through the tears and uncertainty, they’re there.”
Reporter Katherine Schiffner: 425-339-3436 or schiffner@heraldnet.com.
Support 46 donations
Donations to Support 46, a rolling disaster-relief center staffed by volunteers and fire department chaplains, can be sent to the city of Arlington, Support 46, 115 N. McLeod St., Arlington, WA 98223.
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