Fire chief transporting bodies through 2 US-Canada borders due to Whatcom County dispute

The Point Roberts Fire Chief, Christopher Carleton, is voicing his frustrations regarding the lengthy delays in transporting deceased individuals across two international borders due to a jurisdictional dispute with the Whatcom County Medical Examiner, Aldo Fusaro. Carleton revealed that his volunteer firefighters have faced waits of up to eight hours to transport bodies, which strains the resources of the small community. Fusaro contends that he has "no jurisdiction" in Point Roberts unless specific criteria are met, which complicates the situation further. Carleton referenced a state statute that suggests the Medical Examiner should be more involved in these matters, particularly in drafting necessary paperwork for cross-border transport. He believes that a simple letter from the Medical Examiner’s office could significantly ease the process.

The chief also highlighted the emotional strain this situation places on families during their time of grief, emphasizing the need for a more efficient system. Fusaro has declined formal interviews but has offered refrigeration services, which Carleton argues would only delay proper funerals. Ultimately, Carleton hopes to find a resolution that alleviates the stress on families and improves service delivery in Point Roberts.