Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund recently stepped aboard the Salish Star, the Bellingham Fire Department's marine vessel, for a firsthand look at how the city extends firefighting and emergency response services beyond the shoreline and into Bellingham Bay.
The visit, hosted by the department's Marine Division, gave Mayor Lund a close-up view of the specialized equipment, crew operations, and coordination that goes into protecting lives and property on the water. Firefighters walked the mayor through day-to-day operations, from vessel maintenance and navigation to how crews respond to emergencies ranging from vessel fires to water rescues in the bay.
What the Salish Star Does for Bellingham
The Salish Star is the Bellingham Fire Department's dedicated marine response vessel, stationed to cover emergencies on Bellingham Bay and surrounding waterways. Bellingham sits along a working waterfront with active commercial shipping, recreational boating, ferry traffic, and water-based recreation year-round, making marine emergency response a critical part of the city's public safety infrastructure.
The City of Bellingham Fire Department operates the Salish Star as part of a broader effort to provide emergency services across all parts of the city, including those that can only be reached by water. The vessel is equipped to fight fires aboard boats and waterfront structures, conduct search and rescue operations, and assist other agencies responding to maritime incidents.
Bellingham Bay sees significant boat traffic throughout the warmer months, with boaters heading out from Squalicum Harbor, Zuanich Point Park, and other launch points. The annual Bellingham Race Week sailing regatta brings dozens of additional vessels to the bay each summer, and commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Bellingham adds another layer of complexity for marine responders.
A New Video Series: Clocking In with Mayor Kim
The mayor's visit to the Salish Star was part of a new video series launched by the City of Bellingham called "Clocking In with Mayor Kim." The series takes viewers behind the scenes with teams across city government, giving residents a look at the day-to-day work that keeps Bellingham running.
The marine division episode is the first installment of the series, chosen to highlight one of the lesser-known arms of Bellingham's emergency services. While most residents are familiar with fire stations on land, the department's water-based capabilities receive less public attention, making this a useful introduction to a critical city resource.
The full episode is available through the City of Bellingham's official channels and shows Mayor Lund working alongside the Salish Star crew through their operations. The series is expected to continue with visits to other city departments in the coming months.
The Bellingham Fire Department's Marine Division
Bellingham's Marine Division has operated for years as a complement to the department's land-based firefighting and emergency medical services. Marine firefighting requires specialized training beyond standard firefighter certification, including vessel handling, water rescue techniques, and the unique challenges of fighting fires in a marine environment where water access and structural stability differ dramatically from building fires.
The Port of Bellingham, which manages Squalicum Harbor and the working waterfront, coordinates closely with the fire department on emergency response planning. The harbor is home to a significant commercial fishing fleet, pleasure craft, and charter operations, all of which may require emergency assistance at any point during the boating season.
Bellingham Bay itself stretches from Chuckanut Bay in the south to Lummi Island in the northwest, covering a substantial area where response times from shore can be a factor in outcomes. The Salish Star allows firefighters to reach incidents on the water far faster than would be possible using land-based resources alone.
Washington State's United States Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound also operates in the region and frequently works alongside local marine divisions during larger incidents. The interagency coordination between federal, state, and local responders is a key part of how water emergencies are handled in the greater Bellingham Bay area.
Why This Matters for Bellingham Residents
For residents who spend time on or near Bellingham Bay, the Salish Star represents a direct safety net. Recreational boaters, kayakers, paddleboarders, and fishing enthusiasts who venture into the bay can do so with the knowledge that a trained marine response team is on call.
The mayor's visit also signals continued attention to the full scope of city emergency services at a time when Bellingham is growing and the waterfront is seeing increased development and recreational use. Projects along the central waterfront, including the long-term redevelopment of former industrial sites near Boulevard Park, will bring more residents and visitors to the shoreline in coming years.
The Bellingham Fire Department encourages residents to learn more about water safety before heading out on the bay. Life jackets, float plans, and awareness of local weather and tide conditions are all key elements of safe boating. More about the department's programs and services is available through the latest updates on Bellingham's fire and emergency services.
To watch the first episode of "Clocking In with Mayor Kim" and learn more about the Salish Star crew, visit the City of Bellingham's website at cob.org or follow the city's official social media pages.
