Island County Fire District 3 commissioners will review strategic plans at a special session and workshop in Langley on Saturday morning, Jan. 22.

The meeting will be 8:30 a.m. at the Saratoga Inn, 201 Cascade Ave.

Fire Chief Rusty Palmer said the retreat will focus on the district’s current five-year plan, which is nearing its end date, and on getting started on planning for the next five to 10 years.

“The good news is we’ve made considerable progress,” Palmer said Thursday, “but there are some things we’ll have to revisit.”

Palmer said the board also will approve the department membership of new volunteer James Wrightson, who recently completed firefighter training.

In other district business, Palmer said Mike Helland was elected commission chairman for 2011, replacing Kenon Simmons, who will take Helland’s place as vice chairman.

Bob Elliott continues as the third district commissioner and firefighter organization representative.

Meanwhile, that was no emergency that drew nearly every district vehicle to South Whidbey High School this past Tuesday night, Palmer said.

It was the district’s first biannual all-department meeting.

“It was a chance to get together to talk about the issues, and make sure we’re all on the same page,” Palmer said.