Hometown Heroes February 2016 by NorthEast Oregon News

Hometown February 2016

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Hometown INDEX Welcome to Hometown .

Scouting the skyline

A letter from the editor and a list of contributors

Area pilot lends services to search and rescue and wildfire missions

Soul searching

The 'perfect storm'

Rescue teams are a beacon of hope

Rural fire districts rely on volunteers to protect people and property

The best medicine

Riverbend remembers.

EMTs find that compassion, prayer and hand holding help patients

The youth transition facility recalls the busiest fire season in years

Part of the community they vowed to serve

.... 1 0

Two firefighters stand on Andies Ridge, a safe distance away from the smoke and flames of the Phillips Creek Fire in summer 2015.

What it takes

First responder reflects on what it takes for a successful emergency response

Trust abounds within the North Powder Fire Department

Cover photo:

Advertising:

Index photo:

To reserve your advertising space, contactThe Observer at 541-963-3161 or Baker City Herald at 541-523-3673.

Volunteer firefighters dig a fire line during the Huntington-area fire in 2014

— S. John Collins

— Tim Mustoe

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I ltyel<,IIIeII.Hometown

8 4 1- 9 6 S - V 4 0 0 The Observer k Baker City Herald

e COme tothefirsteditionofthe Om B t O WI1 collection The new Hometown collection is dedicated to

to dismiss the title of

the people who make up

continue the work about which they are passionate.

the great community of Eastern Oregon. This edition, Hometown Heroes, aims to honor the men and women who thanklessly protect and serve our community, particularly those who do it as volunteers.

Our highlyrespected friends,some in uniform and others not, are quick

"hero" as they humbly Many of the people we spoke to were tentative to

even pose for photos. To those of you who serve this community — those who are in our hearts and minds just as importantly as those mentioned herein — our heroes, we thank you for all that you do.

The Hometown collection will consist of several themed keepsakes. The collection will Aso spotlight some of the children, farmers and ranchers,community mentors, volunteers, veterans and

charitable individuals who make Eastern Oregon a

warm and unique place to c81 home. If you know someone with a remarkable story, please contact Special Sections Editor Emily Adair.

Emily Adair Emily is the special sections editor of the

La Grande Observer. Among other things, she overseesAgeless, Go! and Hometown. eadair@lagrandeobserver.com

•

• •

•

Ellen Morris Bishop

Lisa Britton

Ellen is a freelance photographer and writer. She works across Wallowa County and

Lisa is a freelance reporter for the Baker City

contributes to WesCom special sections.

2002-10, and for the La Grande Observer.

news@lagrandeobserver.com

news@bakercityherald.com

S. John Collins

Jayson Jacoby

John is the lead photographer for Baker City Herald, where he has worked since 1978. He

Jayson is the editor of the Baker City Herald. He also contributes stories to WesCom

contributes images to WesCom special sections.

special sections.

jcollins@bakercityherald.com

jjacoby@bakercityherald.com

Cherise Kaechele

Tim Mustoe

Cherise is a reporter and photographer for the La Grande Observer. She covers general

Tim is the multimedia editor and the lead

assignments with the WesCom News Service.

worked since August 2014.

ckaechele@lagrandeobserver.com

tmustoe@lagrandeobserver.com

Katherine Stickroth

Trish Yerw,es

Herald, where she worked as a reporter from

photographer for The Observer, where he has

County correspondent for the Observer since

Trish is a freelance reporter for the La Grande Observer and the Baker City Herald. Trish

August 2015.

covers general assignments in Union County.

news@lagrandeobserver.com

Katherine is a freelance writer and a Wallowa

The Observer k Baker City Herald

Hometown

By Jayson Jacoby

kiln, but what he felt was not so

"Perfect storm," Harper said. His memory remains vivid of what he saw that day in early September of 2015, when

much fear as awe.

a westerly gale propelled the

He's seen a lot of fires, and he's put out most of them. But never in his 18-year

Dry Gulch fire 2 1/2 miles in four minutes through eastern Baker County rangeland turned to tinder by the worst drought in more than a decade. "I saw things I haven't ever

Buzz Harper watched the

flames race past, as fast as freeway traffic and as hot as a

career had Harper sensed quite so strongly the immense, inhuman power that erupts when nature mixes all the ingredients of combustion into

one perfect concoction. He chose that adjective-

perfect — perhaps a curious one given the context, only after pondering the matter in silence for a moment.

seen here," said Harper, who has been chief of the Keating Rural Fire Protection District

yards, both literally and figura-

marvels at how that simple goal

tively, that prompted Harper and several of his neighbors to start their all-volunteer fire department in 1998 in the Keating Valley, at the southern ramparts of the Wallowa mountains about 15 miles northeast of Baker City. "The whole reason we started it is we needed to protect our own — our families, our friends,

has changed not only

our neighbors," Harper, 52, said as he rested his elbow on

the hood of a green 1982 Ford since its inception 18 years ago. pickup truck that's been con"And I hope I don't see it verted to a fire engine. again — not in my backyard." Almost two decades later, It's that sense of responsibil- Harper, who runs a cattle ranch ity for taking care of their back- owned by a pair of Californians,

Keating Valley, but most of Baker County. Back then, much of the

county outside Baker Valleywhere about three-quarters of the county's 16,500 residents live — had no nearby fire station

to call if their house or property was ablaze. Today, the Keating department is one of about a dozen

volunteer agencies, spanning most of the county's inhab-

ited areas, whose members are trained to douse house fires and,

in many cases, to do whatever else they can to save property

Tim Mustoe

Smoke billows above the tree tops behind this house, which sits just a few miles south of the Philips Creek Fire in summer 2015.

and, potentially, lives. The job isn't always as

to car crashes on Highway 86,

dramatic as the Dry Gulch fire.

edge of Keating Valley.

Harper said he's more likely to get a call from a neighbor who's worried that the clothes dryer

smells funny and seems to be running a trifle hot.

Regardless of the problem, Harper will climb into his truck

and head out, accompanied almost certainly by Rosco, his year-old, pint-sized toy Australian shepherd. Rosco, Harper insists, can run cattle with dogs four times his size. The growth of Baker County's

which runs along the southern Or traveling to southern

Baker County to supervise a couple hundred Oregon prison inmates assigned to work on a major wildfire. "If I'd known then what it would turn out to be, I probably wouldn't have done it," Harper sald. But his grin suggests that his regret is not altogether serious.

"We want to help peoplethat's what we do," Harper said.

"I grewup here. These are my

subscription fees, in many cases are offset in part by the savings that property owners can realize on their insurance bills if they live relatively close to a fire station, Timm said. But although their financial situations vary, one thing that

seems universal among the rural departments is the challenge of recruiting new, and younger, volunteers.

Morgan said the average age of his volunteers is around 60,

which happensto be his exact age. "It's tough to get young people," Morgan said.

lost paid jobs during the Great Recession that started in 2008, Hampton said. The time

commitment can discourage volunteers, too â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they have to devote as many hours to training

as paid firefighters do. He's optimistic about the future, though, in part because three of his department's volunteers are in their 20s. "We want to have a viable department," said Hampton, who's 54. "We want to be there

when we're needed." Challenges notwithstanding, the dedication of volunteer has

dramatically changed the level

responders is a tribute to the

friends." But strangers also benefit from the selflessness that

county's residents, said Gary

compels the dozens of men

Timm, too, wonders where the county's next cadre of volunteers will come from.

Timm, fire division manager for

and women who volunteer with Baker County's rural departments.

"Leadership across the county in Baker County fall within a fire is aging, and there aren't a lot district or department's boundarof youngpeople coming up ies," Timm said.

corps of volunteer emergency

Baker County Emergency Management. "These truly are your neighbors," Timm said. "The largest capacity to respond to just about

Wes Morgan, chief of the

in Keating Valley about 20 years ago.

Powder River Rural Fire Protection District in Sumpter Valley, about 27 miles southwest of Baker City, said 80 percent to 90 percent of his department's calls are for its ambulance rather than its fire trucks. Many of those calls involve visitors who

That, he said, was painful. He had to watch a house burn that mighthave been saved had

were involved in a car crash on Highway 7, which runs through Sumpter Valley, or a mishap in

there been a fire engine closer

the surrounding mountains and their network of roads and trails.

any event in the county comes from these folks." Harper said his motivation was a fire that destroyed a home

than Baker City. When the Keating department

"We get everything from

through the ranks," he said.

have made two decades ago.

a volunteer with the Haines Fire Protection District for 21 years and its chief since 2000, said the district's roster of volunteers has

volunteers, but on each other.

dropped from about 20 to 10

during the past decade or so.

horseback accidents to four-

wheeler and snowmobile

Some of the volunteers who left

would get the training and equipment they needed to extin-

crashes to wrecks on the high-

moved away when they

But today the Keating fire station, a metal building that

Both Keating and Powder

tions paid annu-

to fight not only structure fires

Several other rural departments in Baker County

an ambulance. Two decades ago, Harper had no idea that besides dousing flames,he'd end up responding The Observer k Baker City Herald

S. John Collins

Buzz Harper reflects on the pros and cons of being a volunteer firefighter for a rural district and about forest fires in Baker County during the summer of 2015.

River departments raise money through subscripally by property owners.

Parked between the fire trucks is

Moreover, the departments

depend not only on their

way," Morgan said.

replaced the decrepit Keating Grange, shelters trucks designed but also range and forest fires.

That's not a statement he could

Age isn't the only challenge, though. Jerry Hampton, who's been

was formed, Harper figured he and some of his neighbors guish burning homes, barns and other buildings.

of protection for Baker County

residents in emergencies. "The vast majority of homes

have property tax levies instead of

subscriptions. Those taxes, or Hometown

Harper said when he helped start the Keating fire district, he didn't know the chiefs and volunteers from other departments, some of whose districts

bordered his own. Today, by contrast, "we're good friends," he said. "We get done with a fire and then we go out and have dinner,"

Harper said. And yet for all the progress, work remains — perhaps it

Similar to Baker County's rural fire districts and departments run by volunteers, those in Union and Wallowa counties play vital roles in protecting people, buildings and land. Union County Elgin, Imbler, Cove, La Grande, Union, North Powder and Medical Springs

Wallowa County Joseph, Enterprise, Lostine and Wollowa

always will be so in a county that

sprawls across 2 million acres. Although the proliferation of volunteer districts means most Baker County residents

can be sure trained people will respond if their house catches

of volunteer, subscriber-based City — have formed, and comorganization — the rangeland fire bined they protect more than

fire or their car crashes, tens of thousands of acres of unin-

protection association.

habited private ground, and in particular rangeland that's vital to the county's cattle business, remains outside any district's

boundaries. The solution to that problem, Timm said, is a different type

is that when he looks at a map

of Baker County showing areas

half a million acres of private land that previously was outside

that lack fire protection, he sees "pockets here and there rather

any firefighting agency's jurisdic-

than geographic regions."

operate ambulances.

tion, Timm said. Residents in the Pine Valley

In the past few years two of these associations — Lookout-

area near Hells Canyon are also working on creating another fire

Glasgow east of Baker City, and

protection association in that area. The bottom line, Timm said,

That pleases Harper. But he also understands how fragile the situation can be. "Without volunteers you have nothing — it just wouldn't work,"

These associations focus solely on fighting wildfires — they don't do structure protection or

Burnt River, southeast of Baker

he said. "It's a special breed."

•

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e save ives. ver a . Gary Zeigler, MD Lew i s Baynes, MD ESD Medical Director

Stephen Mcllmoil, DO John Page, MD

Steve DeLashmuut;MM Kaare Tingelstad, DO

Our Emergency Services Department is a designated Level IV Trauma Center. Our highly skilled, experienced emergency medicine team provides Advanced Trauma Life Supportevaluation/stabilization/diagnostics — prior to patient transfers to Level I/II trauma centers.

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The Observer k Baker City Herald

Hometown

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Ellen Morris Bishop

MicheleMusia and Joyce Himes, Wallowa County EMTs, treat a patient in the back of an ambulance.

By Katherine Stickroth The task appears impossible â&#x20AC;&#x201D; how can officials provide vital emergency

Memorial Hospital is advantageous," Emergency Medical Services Director

medical help, where distance and time are

Tim Peck said. "This direct association enhances our ability to take care of the patient, in that WMH has a larger

critical factors for people who live and recreate in the 3,100-plus square miles of

Wallowa County? Instead, the interdependence among emergency medical responders generates

resource base to seek funding for up-todate equipment.

a "Can Do" atmosphere that serves

hospital emergency room, there is a

Wallowa County very well.

smoother transition for that person, because we also assist with immediate care."

"Being connected with Wallowa Hometown

"Plus, when we deliver a patient to the

There are degrees of certified skills, starting at Emergency Medical Responder, then Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), which is the minimum entry level for Peck's ambulance crew. The next level is Intermediate EMT, which allows

advanced care for a patient, followed by Paramedic and Critical Care Paramedic. The latter can assist with aviation trans-

ports. The Observer k Baker City Herald

Peck is quick to emphasize the proficiency of his staff of four paid positions and 13 relief responders. "These people study the difficult coursework on their own time and

expense, often saying they want to be able to help when an emergency arises. They reside throughout the county, and

make a big difference by showing up to the scene first while the EMS crew travels to answer the call with equipment. "The City of Wallowa allows us to

keep an ambulance in their fire department bay. Many of our relief EMT's live there, which is a great asset for that end of the county," Peck said. Joyce Himes, an Intermediate EMT in

Joyce's coworker, Michele Musia, agrees. "Sometimes the best medicine is hold-

and decided to change careers. "I've been here since 1974," he says. ing someone's hand," Musia said. "And prayer," Himes adds with a smile. "I know most of my patients. It's gratifyMusia grew up in Joseph. After gradu- ing to be able to call them by their first ating from high school, she left to fight names when I'm helping them." fires. In addition to performing Primary "It was always my dream to return to MedicalCare as an emergency respondWallowa County." She returned home in 2015 from Lewiston, Idaho, where she worked for Life Flight, certified as a Critical Care

Paramedic. Himes and Musia bothemphasize

being prepared to lessen the chance of an emergency, especially in the

Wallowa County for 19 years, knows a

mountains and canyons that so many

lot of the locals.

people enjoy.

"A sense of community plays a part in what you do here," Himes said. "When a

"Know basic first aid and how to stop bleeding. Be mindful of the weather, and

patient sees a familiar face, it gives them

bring more food and clothes than you

confidenceand peace of mind. Presence and compassion help the patient."

think you might need," Himes said. Joe Neveau, also an Intermediate

Ellen Morris Bishop

Intermediate-level Emergency MedicalTechnician Joe Neveau (right) prepares to help paramedic Michele Musia treat a patient in theWallowa Memorial Hostpital ambulance. The Observer k Baker City Herald

EMT, rounds out the EMS staff. He taught school for 32 years at Enterprise,

er, he dutifully performs most of the maintenance on the fleet of ambulances, one of which is four-wheel drive. The entire team is led by Dr. Gary Zeigler, M.D., who is Board Certified in

Emergency Medicine. "Gary is the supervising physician for our ambulance service," Peck said. "He authorizes protocol. Without him, we could not function.

"Normally, an ambulance service in this type of area is attached to the fire service. Our attachment to the hospital brings additional benefits to each patient we serve."

Ellen Morris Bishop

Paramedic Joyce Himes contemplates the ongoing treatment in WMH ambulance. Hometown

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pIR

Cherise Kaechele

The small community of North Powder has a large fire department of19 volunteers. The department has enough volunteers and equipment due to their involvement with the Oregon Department of Forestry.

By Cherise Kaechele As four members of the North Powder Fire Department sit around the table in the small room at the fire station, heckle

each other and laugh together, the camaraderie of the volunteer

department is apparent. They're part of a team. They trust each other and rely on each other. They're part of the community

they've vowed to keep safe. With a total of 19 volunteers in the department,

nearly unheard of for a rural department, the numbers speak for themselves. Despite such a small community, the department is

strong. That is due, in large part, to the leadership of the fire chief, Sam Martin, though getting him to admit that is about as easy as it is to get the firefighters to pose

for a photo. Sam, 33, chief of the department, sits with his brother, Casey Martin, 35, as well as volunteers

Colby Thompson, 33, who is the Hometown I

assistant chief along with Chris

that's significant. There's not

Arvidson, 36, as they describe

paid departmentswho can say

what it's like to be on the rural fire department. The North Powder district

that."

encompasses 151 square miles, Sam said. There are, on average, 31 calls for fire every year — and that's actual fires. For medical calls, the department

responds to 63 calls per year. "I'm not sure if we're one of the largest districts," Sam said. "We're

Casey credits the overall attitude and success of the department to when Sam and

Colby joined. "There became a big shift in the excitement and leadership in the department when they joined," Casey said. "It got more people that had similar interest and teamwork and values to

also low on the scale of population join. That became a contagious thing. But everyone gets along population like Island City has. We on the department really well. do have a large department. We're We're lucky that everyone is on the same page and works just fortunate and active in getting in that size too. We don't have the

out. If someone moves into the district there's four or five guys hitting them up to join." The amount of equipment the department has also allows them to take care of their own calls. "We don't have to call for mutual aid," Casey said. "When we can put our resources out

together."

with nine people (living within

the department works well is at least half of the volunteers work

10 to 15 minutes of the station),

Sam saidwhen he joined, there were only three other

people in the department. "There was a shift in leader-

ship and atmosphere in the station," Casey said. "It's a pretty neat thing to be a part of it."

Possibly one of the reasons

in agriculture. "That's one of the things where the work never ends, but you

can drop what you're doing and respond to a call," Arvidson said. During the summer, the department responds to the

Oregon Department of Forestry calls and worked eight of the 10

project fires last summer, including Phillips Creek, Windy Ridge, Eagle Complex and Dry Gulch. "That's what gives everyone time,"Casey said."Everyone was involved with wildland fires during the summer and it came in handy that everyone could pitch in." The excitement may not be as present in the department if not for going out to the ODF fires, Sam said. The department isn't called out to fires in their district that often but the training required to stay certified

is significant. "Going to the ODF fires is

huge," Sam said. "It does keep the excitement up." All 19 of the volunteers are

The Observer k Baker City Herald

trained to respond to fires. Sam also said the participation in those fires is what gives them all the equipment and the financial aid the department has. "Through ODF, and the

programs we've gotten through them, it's tied into getting the equipment and the amount of

people we have on our department. (ODF) has the equipment to give away, but they also want to make sure it doesn't just sit around and not be used."

Sam said, financially speak-

waits can get pretty long when you have a patient who's not too stable. If we have a priority patient who may not be able to dispatch Life Flight, land them on scene and get that patient to the proper facility. By the time a

local transporting ground ambulance arrives in our istrict and takes a priority patient to a local hospital, the patient, if sent by Life Flight,

comfortably and doesn't rely on

treatments." Sam said the La Grande Fire Department and the Baker City Fire Department trust them to make that call.

little bit of cost but very minimal â&#x20AC;&#x201D; maybe $10,000 at most to get that equipment and maybe not even that. We were fortunate to get a FEMA grant for about $330,000." He said in the last seven

years, the department has acquired more than $600,000 worth of equipment and only

"They havea lot of confidence inus to go ahead and call Life Flight and get them started when we feel a patient needs it," Sam said. The goal for the EMTs out of North Powder is to secure the patient for the transporting

agency to come in and get the patient into the ambulance as

$80,000 hascome from the local tax base. It's not all about the fires, though. One-third of the calls the department receives is for

quickly as possible.

medical and many of the calls

community, the volunteers know the people involved in the

are accidents on the interstate and three of the volunteers are EMT certified,

including Arvidson. "There's quite a few

(accidents) in the winter time," Arvidson said. He added he lives a little farther than the other two EMTs in the department so many times he'll

show up in his personal call after they've arrived.

"It feels good to help someone," Arvidson said. "We're not a transporting agency so we have to wait for an ambulance from Baker City or La Grande and sometimes those 20-minute

The Observer k Baker City Herald

N ojl RTH<P'OWDrLK ~E R

RURAL FI~RK PM

could already be in a higher level of care facility that has the

proper team in place for specific

$230,000 on equipment from ODF," Sam said. "We have a

,~iCQ

be cared for locally, we will

ing, the department is sitting a tax levy to support them. "What we've gotten is

q~'WDp

For the small department,

responding to calls locally can be rough because in the small emergency calls. The four volunteers each have their own memorable calls

they've responded to. Most kept tight lipped about the specifics of the call that sticks out in their mind, though.

Chris Arvidson, firefighter, EMT Joined NPFD:2011 Occupation:non-emergency medical transportation Reason for joining: "I was asked by someone who was already on the department if I'd be interested in joining."

Casey Martin, firefighter Joined NPFD: 2010 Occupation:ranching Reason for joining: "Sam and Riley (my brothers) and Colby (Thompson) joined the fire department and I got interested in joining through them. There's no big one event that cause me to (join)."

Sam Martin, firefighter, command Joined NPFD:2005 Occupation:ranching Reason for joining: "I had a goodsized range fire that came onto our property in 2005, and I helped with that as just a rancher. I got voted on the rural fire board and the fire chief at that time talked me into joining."

"One (memorable) one for me was a wreck out on the freeway," Sam said. "It was pretty gruesome. I was fortunate I couldn't attend another call here in town that affected quite

a few people on the department. But the one on the interstate was the worst for me."

Casey also remembers the

Colby Thompson, asst. fire chief Joined NPFD: 2011 Occupation:ranching Reason for joining: "I had been asked to be on the (rural fire) board first and then joined the fire department four years ago."

)

the back but a real feeling of support," Casey said. "That the folks appreciate what we're doing."

call Sam alluded to. "There's definitely a situation that comes to my mind and I wasn't anywhere associated with it at all," Casey said. nBut being part of a small community, we

!$8

know everyone. And so when

give, because it's not easy for

there's a major incident it's a

their families to watch them walk out the door and toward a dangerous situation.

,tough deal for these guys. Hats off to these guys for doing what

sc-scaoK

I II„

They mentioned they're thankful to their spouses and children for the support they

"We spend a lot of time doing

they do — what they have to be a part of. Without me haying to experience it, that's one of the difficult things (about volunteerW. •, •

from our spouses," Sam said. He said many of them live on or work on the family farm which requires the other family mem-

ing): the traumatic experiences."

this away from our families and

The four volunteers admitted

•

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not needing financial help from the community or more equip-

bers to pick up the slack when the volunteers are responding to

a call.

ment. What they need most is the continued support of their community. •

•

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• •

•

port from our families (to be able "We're not looking for a pat on to do this)," Casey said.

II I

•

"It takes a huge amount of sup-

•

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Across from thecourthousein Enterprise

107 E. Main St. • 4~26-3~35~1 Hometown

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The Observer k Baker City Herald

TI T HE K Y L I E Area pilot lends his services during search and rescue missions and wildfires The wild canyons and rugged mountains of Wallowa County cast their spell on adventurers of varied interests, inviting them to explore the remote backcountry of northeast Oregon. Skilled hikers and hunters, families and soloists

power and equipment cannot cover a ground search of such a

By Katherine Stickroth

vast wilderness area in a timely

manner, emergency responders call pilot Joe Spence, of Spence Aviation Service at Enterprise Airport, to help.

Wallowa County. Archives of

flying lessons in 1979. Kicked

the local paper are replete with

back in the worn chair of his

accounts of these two making daring flights to retrieve sick or

office, Spence smiles.

injured people who resided in

"Bud was one of the most incredible pilots I've ever flown

proper clothing, gear and first aid supplies â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to enjoy the trip and

had about 30,000 hours at the

the roadless Snake River coun-

with," Spence said. "I feel blessed

end of his flying career. Stangel

try before its federal designa-

return home safely. But newcomers, visitors unaccustomed to the change in altitude from sea-level cities and the

and his close friend, Ted Grote,

tion as a recreation area.

are known in the flying community as the aerial paragons of

to have had Bud as an instructor." Searching for the lost while airborne in his Cessna 206

with the family led to his taking

usually make the best preparations â&#x20AC;&#x201D; adequate food and water,

Spence grew up with the children of Bud Stangel, a pilot who

Spence's close association

can be challenging, with deep

strenuous climbs, can become enamored with the idea of a hike.

Misjudging their abilities and stamina, they can find themselves stuck on a 7,000-foot ridge, too exhausted to make the descent to their vehicle. At other times, lifelong

Wallowa Countians, now aged and longing for "the good old days" may call up a friend to visit the old homestead in The Hills, or Dug Bar, or Bartlett, but road

names have changed and familiar landmarks like barns are gone. An unexpected snowstorm falls upon them, and they become lost. Or someone departs town to

visit a friend at Troy, choosing one of two treacherous roads: Redmond Grade or the Promise Road. Hours pass with no arrival. Calls are made to local authorities

and someone is reported missing. In all seasons, scenarios similar to these are played out in Wallowa County. Not continuously, but

often enough. When the logistics of manThe Observer k Baker City Herald

) ,;/

Ellen Morris Bishop

Joe Spence, of Spence Aviation Service at Enterprise Airport, has about 18,000 hours recorded in his logbook. Many of those hours have been spent aiding search and rescue missions or helping firefighters combat wildfires. Hometown

ravines and forested hills

ing wildfires. At those times,

limiting conspicuousness. A

Oregon Forest Service personnel will have Spence

disoriented individual may

get more confused as he gets take them up to reconnaisdehydrated and is exposed sance a fire. "The air attack guy is to the cold. "There was one fella the 'eye in the sky,'" Spence explains. "He's the traffic that, when he heard the plane's motor overhead, he director and monitors the would hide under the trees fire from above." so I couldn't spot him. But

The normal routine for

one of the searchers on the ground saw his move-

Spence's flying service includes game census flights in the spring, radio collar telemetry for bighorn sheep, or checking on collared wolves. Of course, his business also offers scenic trips for

ment and was able to help,"

Spence describes. An ejected ice cooler or other brightly colored items scattered down a cliff wall V,S

may indicate a vehicle having

those who wish to see Wallowa County from the sky. Yet with almost 18,000 hours recorded in the air,

rolled off the road to the bot-

tom of a drainage. By Spence calling in the coordinates, rescuers on horseback or with

Ellen Morris Bishop

Joe Spence examines the new propellor on his Cessna 206, a single-engine aircraft. This bigger plane allows Spence to carry higher payloads into the backcountry.

Spence's flying skills are an

climbing gear can investigate. Spence helps with other emergency situations, includ-

immeasurable asset to the

unique emergency needs of Wallowa County.

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The Observer k Baker City Herald

RESCUE TEAMS

BEACON OF HOPE

By Lisa Britton Snow flies as the searchers plunge red shovels into the white mound, frantically digging t o find the body. "You got him! You've got his head," hollers Brent Kerns. "Stop! You findthe head, you look for a pulse." It's too late for this mannequin-

cr .

which didn't have a pulse to begin with â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but still the exercise is good

practice for members of Baker County Search and Rescue (SAR).

~jw~ i s

About 15 volunteers gathered

on a recent frigid Monday night to hone their skills

on using avalanche beacons and the proper technique to find victims in the snow. Four transceivers were buried in snow piles around the Baker County Sheriff's Office, and the volunteers each had their own

transceivers strapped to their torsos.

These beacons are always transmitting

a signal, but rescuers switch theirs to

"receive" when on a search. The transceiver indicates direction and distance in meters to the transmitting bea-

con, which hopefully

is still attached to the victim trapped under the snow. Time is crucial in

finding people after an avalanche, Kerns said. "The people who will find them alive are the people with them," The Observer k Baker City Herald

S. John Collins

+ Instructor Brent kerns, center, oversees training for the recovery of avalanche victims. Jpsh Cobb, left, and Mike Dunn have located a buried transceiver and probed successfully.

he said of avalanche victims.

"They need avalanche beacons, and know how to use them." The Baker County SAR is an all-volunteer group that works with the county Sheriff's Office

to respond to emergencieslost people (children, hunters, woodcutters, hikers), snowmo-

including one at 4 a.m., Christmas Day. Earlinda Crider, 68, has had

48 years of those calls. "I joined when I was 21," she sald. Since then, she's learned to

have a packed bag ready to go

bile or four-wheeler accidents,

at a moment's notice, along with a list of the extras she

downed airplanes, water recovery and more.

might need. "It's training you hope you

The team aver ages 16 to 20

never have to use," Crider said

callouts each year, said Chris

as she headed back inside the

Galiszewski, SA R coordinator. When a potential search-andrescue call comes in to dispatch, the sh eriff is notified and then authori zes the mobilization of SAR. First, a "searc h manager" is contacted, who t hen sends out a page or text to SAR volunteers.

sheriff's office to warm up from the avalanche beacon training. Bill Markgraf, who joined the

SAR about 15 years ago, always keeps gear close in case of a call. "My pack's in my pickup all

the time," Markgraf said. SAR members live throughout Baker County, which means a volunteer is usually close at

Galiszewski said volunteers also train with the SAR teams from 10 other counties and offer mutual aid when search and rescue

hand when a call goes out.

calls come close to county lines.

The SAR also trains with local snowmobile clubs, of which there are three in Baker County,

A recent call in the Anthony Lakes area, for instance,

whose members can assist during winter rescues. "Each group is familiar with

Grant counties. The three counties' borders meet near the ski

the different areas that the

SAR with a certified dive team.

spanned Baker, Union and area. Baker is the only local

sledders use, and we use them as an on-the-snow resource for

incidents," Kerns said.

He said they also work closely with Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort's manager Peter Johnson and the ski

~o')5 '.:;~vf:"

patrol. In addition to the monthly

meeting,

Those calls can come day or night, Baker Co unty SAR had three over Chris tmas weekend,

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SEARCHING AND SAFETY

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED No special experience is

In a search, the team utilizes

a grid pattern, and members stay quiet as they look for clues. "We always go out assuming it's a crime scene," Markgraf

needed for the SAR. Training will occur at local meet-

sald.

apply," Galiszewski said. Some SAR members prefer being part of the sup-

ings and extended trainings around the state. "We need more folks to

The safety of searchers is paramount. Everyone is required to sign in and out.

port team. "If you want to come

CQUNTY's SAR

the vast playground of Eastern Oregon, be sure to tell someone where you are going and give him or her an approximate time you

BAaXR: Baker County's SAR

covers 3,088 square miles/1,976,000 acres • 541-523-6415 • bakersheriff.org/sar.htm

intend to return. The following are the steps listed on Baker County's site to help ensure

UNION:

your safety, modified to help adventurers in all counties:

yourself any safe way possible. Yell back if you hear your name called. 3) Keep calm. Pull out your survival gear, build a fire if necessary and wait. If someone knows you are missing and has

a volunteer are available at the Baker County Sheriff's Office, which is located at 3410 K St., Baker City.

contacted 911, the Search and Rescue team will do its best to find you.

Union County's SAR

teams cover 2,039 square miles/1,305,000 acres • 541-963-1017

1) Stop walking 2) Draw attention to

Applications to become

If you're headed out into

fee, we have a spot for that, too," he said. Members must be 18 can start training earlier.

S. John Collins •

CONTACT YOUR

make phone calls or cof-

years to go on missions, but

A handheld thermal imaging device, a valuable tool on searches, shows two adults and a young child.

SAFETY TIPS

• ucsar.org WAI.I.OWA: Wallowa County's SAR teams cover 3,152 square miles/2,017,000 acres • 541-426-3131

• co.wallowa.or.us/public safety/sheriff/index. html

j Ne avvreciafe a(( ofour (oca(emer8encv versonne(andvo(unfeers for a(( fhev dofor our communifv.

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The Observer k Baker City Herald

2390 Broadway, Baker City

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Giles Darro~ Mendoza, Decourtney and J

Delatorrretake a break from fir e fi ghting. Giles Darrow helped lead a well-trained 00-man crew in one of the busiest c<.

regional fir e seasons in recent ~.

Trish Ygr

Remembers the busiest fire season in years By Trish Yerges

a nationally certified firefighter

with 16 years of experience. The 20-man firefi ghting crew from the RiverBend Youth Transition Facility in La Grande

Dunten is the captain of the crew and his staff assistants are Giles Darrow, Sam Black

La Grande. "Our crew was very professional and proactive in getting there and following the guide-

"It was amazing to sit there and watch thewind come

through where it was already burned and just see tree after

lines and logistics to put it out as

tree fall like dominoes as they

logged 41 days of fire fighting on and Rick Snyder. Together they nine different fires during the represent 30 years of firefighting unusually active 2015 fire experience. season. During the 2015 fire season, Each of the men, ranging in the RiverBend fire crew worked ages between 18 and 25, a lot with the Umatilla National

quickly as possible with as little

got blown over. I told the guys,

of a resource as we are," Dunten sald. "With limited resources throughout the region and

'That's why you keep situational

complete the 80- or 90-hour

active," he said. "There wasn't a

earn their certifications. Some

Forest, the local La Grande ODF, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and the Wallowa ODF

become certifi ed as Type 1 and Type 2 firefighters and go on to

agency. They worked for 14 days on

fire was very dangerous," Giles Darrow said, "and we had one

The RiverBend fire crew did whatever was needed of them, including maintaining line,

work for private contractors. "We started the fire program in October 2011, and I'm the instructor," said Brett Dunten,

the Merry-Go-Round fire out of Union, then the Grizzly Bear

pretty awesome windstorm that

laying miles of hose, mopping

caused every firefighter on the

up, doing initial attack, patrol-

C omplex fir e near Troy,and on

line to pull out and go to the

ling, gridding, doing severity

smaller fires outside of

safety zone up on top.

work, tree thinning and, of

training, undergo testing and

Hometown

nation last year, we got fairly lot of sleep some days." "The Grizzly Bear Complex

awareness, gentlemen, and that's why you look out for each other. A gust of wind and that tree, that 80-foot, large tree,

will come down on you, and it's game over.'"

The Observer k Baker City Herald

Silva and Miguel at the Merry Go Round

course, being a

fire just outside of Union.

ir.„Y'V,

grunt firefighter. For the first time last year, ODF loaned the crew a fire

The RiverBend crew rehabs chainsaws for the US Forest Service

engine, which gave them their own source of water and the ability to act as a small task

force. At the end of

a 16-hour day, they returned to their fire camp,

enjoyed a catered meal and huddled around for an After Action Review meeting. There they analyzed their performance in the field — what worked, what didn't and

ing sense of hard-earned accomplishment.

how they could improve tomor-

ing it could be potentially danger-

row. At day's end, they set up their

ous, but Dunten said they are very receptive to the responsibility of

cots and crashed for a few hours of needed sleep, feeling a reward-

The men liked the adrenaline rush that came with the job, know-

protecting the land, people and the

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The Observer k Baker City Herald

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Hometown

==-

structures around them. "We're there to protect that private landowner," Darrow said. "That timber

the RiverBend Youth

is a part of his legacy, his grandchildren's college

Grande

Photos submitted by

fund. If that burns up, he's in a world of hurt. That's

why everyone comes running. When these guys get

"Fire ~

thanked out on fires, it's huge. They think, 'I'm a fire-

" Sam B l ack

is in his native habitat.

fighter and people appreciate me. I have worth.'"

A busy season for firefighters The Bureau of Indian AIIairs out of Pendleton, the Oregon Department of Forestryand the Umatilla and Kallowa-Khitman National Forest

agencies responded to a busy 0016

impacted, ~hich started on Aug. 1. The causes of fires throughout Northeast Oregon do vary,but they generally fall into two main categories, human caused or

lightning caused. "Ke definitelyhad some human-

fireseastm.

"Ke had about 178,192 acres that burned in 0016," said Jamie Knight,

of ourfires that year were actually

Northeast Oregon district public information officer for ODF. "It was

"As far as human causes, there are any numl~ ofthings thatcan drive that, like equipment use, which could

definitelya bigger year than we've had lately." The ODF protected acres that were impacted on the Grizzly Bear

Complex induded 10,1& acres. That fire started on Aug. 18. On the Phillips Creek fire, 882 acres were

The investigationinto the cause of the PhillipsCreek fire revealed that

it was ~ d b y a campfire, and the G rizzly Bear Comple~ fire was ~ d by lightning. Knight hada few tips forthose who want to enjoy the outdoors this

f ir e s in 2016, but I think a lot by l i ghtning," Knight said.

'The message is really the same â&#x20AC;&#x201D; just usecaution and be aware," she

include logging equipment, farming

said. "Ke really do rely on the public to helpus patrol the forest.Ifyou see sometlm~ thatjustdoesn'tlook right or you see a fire, go ahead and report

equipment and lawn mowers. It could also indude recreational causes, like

that. As always, just use caution when recreating, ~hether it's ATV â&#x20AC;&#x201D; riding

abandoned campfiresand things like

or camping. Follo~ all the laws and

that. Debris lrunur~ is another big ~ of wi l d fi r e s."

regulations."

Ortega, "Fire Engine" Sam Black and Miguel prepare for an After Action Review meeting.

Brett Dunten and Rick Snyder of C

RiverBend saw a busy 2015. Hometown I

he Observer k Baker City Herald

•

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.Hi4~ l

•

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•

Cherise Kaechele

DustyAlam, 29, is nearing his one-year anniversary at the La Grande Fire Department, but had been working at the La Grande Rural Fire Department since 2005.

•

I I •

•

II'

•

became a Quick Response Team and began to assist with medical calls. Now there are 300 to 400

calls a year, he said. The difference between being a volunteer and working full time at the fire department was subtle in some areas, while others not so much. "In this job, I come in and work my shift," Alam said of working full time. "When I'm

here, I'm here. When I go home it's a little easier for me to feel that I'm off. I didn't feel so obligated to stay in town as I did with the rural department." At the rural department, Alam was a lieutenant. Those in an officer position had to coordinate with each other when they were

going out of town, he said. "It was just a little more stressful," he said. "It was worth it, though. It was something I

chose to do." However, as a single parent,

Alam is just a couple of weeks away from his one-year

Alam said it is easier with work-

anniversary of starting at the fire department.

ing full time because he knows, generally speaking, when he's going to work and knows when he's going to need daycare.

An opening came available to work full time, and he was already on the hiring list. With

"For us to be short handed is not uncommon, unfortunately," he said of the fire department. Sometimes those on shift get

his years of experience at the

busy and people are called in if they're available. Everyone is

"I think I was prepared," he

rural fire department, it was a fairly smooth transition to working full time.

firefighter because at any given time, they may have to take off their stethoscope and put on their full gear for a fire. Within Alam's second week with the fire department, he was called out to Ladd Canyon for an accident.

"It was a pretty big one," he said. "It's not something I hadn't seen before, so it wasn't completely new to me. It's not

said of starting the new job. "But then again, I don't think you

something you want to go and

help, though, he said. "I can honestly say this has been my dream for a long

can ever be fully prepared for something (like that). I was fairly

happens."

time," Alam said. "I'm definitely

ting into. We have a great group

injuries, he doesn't focus on

blessed to come to work every day with a smile on my face

of guys that we work with and I'm lucky to work here." The fire department is split into three different shifts of five

those lives lost, but those he can still help. After the call is finished, Alam said there is usually a critical incident debrief which gives them an opportunity to talk about the incident.

willing to go out of their way to

and know that I love what I do. There's not a better job. You get

comfortable with what I was get-

to help people. If you're passion- people who work 24 hours on, ate about that, then it's the best

job for you."

and 48 hours off, he said. Everyone is an EMT and a

see, but unfortunately it When he arrives on scene to medical calls where there are

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5<p

For Alam, and many of the others on shift, it's those calls that involve children that stay with him.

"Those are always hard, especially if you're a parent," he said. Alam said it's hard to say

which role he prefers more. "You candefinitely change anybody's day with either

one," he said of being an EMT or firefighter. "Nobody wants to go on the structure fire

where someone's house burns down. Nobody wants to go to

"Around here, La Grande

(Fire Department) is the only paid department," he said. "Every other town has

Working on the fire department makes you part of a

a volunteer department with volunteer EMTs — they didn't get that because they want to make money. They want to help the community. I want to

team. It's not about the mon-

help people."

the accident where someone doesn't make it, either."

ey, it's about helping someone.

And it's not just the fire

departments either. Working together with the local police department, sheriff's office,

Oregon State Police and dispatch all make for a successful situation, he said.

"We rely on (law enforcement); it's not just one department in it for the glory. It takes all the parties involved to

make sure it's a success."

Cherise Kaechele

•

• Ear, hearing,noseandthroat problems • Allergy testing,diagnosisdItreatment • Removalofskin lesionsandmoles • Sinus problems • Headaches • Frequentepisodesof wheezing, coughingandshortnessofbreath

Stop by the Baker County Chamber of Commerce and Bnd out. The Chamber Board of Directors invite pou to come see the nex

face ofthe Chamber

JosephL.Petrusek, M.D. Ear, Nose,Throat & Allergy 710 Sunset Drive, Suite D, LaGrande St. AlphonsusSpecialty Clinic, Baker City Winding Waters Clinic, Enterprise

For appointments:541-963-8643

Meet Shelly Cutler See all the changes that have been made to the Chamber office, the conference room, the visitor center and the gift shop. Business Referrals • Maps • Brochures • Communihg Information

www.visitbaker.com 490 Campbell, Baker City OR • 541-523-5855 or 888-523-5855

The Observer k Baker City Herald

Hometown

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