Whidbey Island has a strong volunteer ethic that’s fueled by an involved citizenry committed to supporting their causes, communities and neighbors.
However, if you could choose one person to represent that ethic, it might very well be Gary Gabelein. After all, he’s been a volunteer firefighter for 42 years. But that’s just the beginning of Gabelein’s story of giving back to the community he loves.
“I started as a fireman, and began teaching first aid to the community,” said Gabelein. “That led to becoming one of the first EMTs [emergency medical technicians] in the district, and then helping operate a private ambulance service based in Freeland.”
He remembers the days when the fire trucks were a lot smaller and only carried 300 gallons of water. The firefighters rode on the outside of the truck, standing on the tailboards and hanging on for the ride. Gabelein has an antique fire truck of his own, a bright red 1951 GMC, parked in a garage at his home where it’s surrounded by other fire station memorabilia. He drives it in parades and gives kids rides.
He was also actively involved with a rescue squad, responding to vehicle accidents with a “jaws of life” rig. In addition, he spent 16 years on the South Whidbey Fire/EMS Board of Commissioners and then returned as a firefighter.
Gabelein spent 28 years working for Washington State Ferries, retiring with the rank of captain. He and his wife Janie raised their three children, Amy, Jon and Gwendy, on Whidbey Island in a farmhouse they built on Sunshine Lane. After the kids were grown and out on their own, they converted their home to an inn, naming it Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast.
Being an innkeeper led to yet another volunteer opportunity. Gabelein has for eight years served on the Island County Tourism Committee, which is one of the “two percent” groups, so-called because of the amount of lodging taxes collected by the county for tourism promotion.
“We figure out how to best bring visitors to Island County to shop and put heads in beds,” said Gabelein. “We’re one of the only committees in the region to continually have a positive cash flow as a result of increased tax dollars. It’s a lot of fun. I guess volunteerism runs in my veins.”
The Gabeleins’ B&B is also known for its gardens, and the donkeys and rabbits that inhabit the farm. The Farmhouse gardens were on the 2009 Whidbey Island Garden Tour and greeted 1,000 visitors. Even tourists who don’t stay overnight stop and ask to see the garden.
“We get folks from British Columbia, nearly every state and, of course, Seattle,” said Gabelein. “We also host lots of honeymooners and couples celebrating anniversaries and special occasions.”
He said that the 42 years of drills, training and hours to remain qualified have been worth every minute because it allows him to keep serving the community. His son, Jon, is also a volunteer firefighter and EMT and acts as the public information officer for South Whidbey Fire/EMS. And all their volunteer work pays off — it allows the community to get the equipment needed to protect its people.
“Nobody plans to get hurt or have a house fire,” said Gabelein. “But when the alarm goes off, we make sure people get what they need.”
