Most customers of Island County Fire District 3 appear to be satisfied with the emergency response they received, according to survey results released by Fire Chief Dan Stout.

“This demonstrates that the citizens of South Whidbey are pleased with the service they’re getting,” Stout said. “The data is pretty positive for the district.”

Using the district’s database containing the names and addresses of district residents who called in emergencies between April 2008 and April 2009, 1,304 questionnaires were mailed.

Of the 1,043 that were deliverable, 614 were completed and returned, a 58-percent response.

“That level of response is almost unheard of for this type of survey,” Stout said.

Of the surveys returned, only 55, less than 1 percent, gave the district a less than perfect score, Stout said. Many of those comments singled out other responders or dispatch services, he added.

The survey asked five questions: “Did we respond quickly? Did we resolve your emergency? Did we act professionally? Did we look professional? Did we treat you with respect?”

Stout said suggestions for improvement nearly all involved response times.

“But for a volunteer organization, I think we do pretty well,” he said.

The questionnaire allowed for written comments. “Outstanding all aspects,” one said.

Four people mailed in a total of $275 in donations to the district along with their surveys, Stout added.