Bluff Fire Department Scrapbook by Kathy Carson

Seventy-seven scanned images of scrapbook created by Kathy Carson of the Bluff Volunteer Fire Department, including Newspaper clippings; Handwritten timelines; Letters; Fire dept. history write-up; Phone list; Twin Rocks Time articles (school newsletter in Bluff); Bluff Fire Dept. newsletters; The Blue Mountain Panorama newspaper clippings; Photo of Betty Gaines; and Email correspondence. Betty Gaines founded the fire dept. with her husband, Melvin Gaines. He made sure they knew how to run the pumps and the trucks. San Juan County provided the Bluff Volunteer Fire Department with one tanker truck. Turnout gear consisted of jackets and helmets. Betty served as Fire Chief for 18 years.

January 3, 2011 Hi Folks, I kept old er pings and photos from when we first started the Bluff Volunteer Fire Department in 1975. I' kind of sentimental that way. Now, I'm glad that I did since there has been an interest i fixing up a scrapbook of this unique history. We are missing a lot, and if anyone runs across nything, please feel free to add it. Sadly, Betty Gaines admits that she tossed out a lot of h r stuff from t he early years. nks go to Jim and Luann Hook for photos and articles that they saved. I believe that I saw St n Johnson's name on a few pieces too. Gary Lichtenstein had saved and collected also and he was the one ho suggested that we get together and figure out what to do with it all. He and Kaye Lott c e over last night and we sorted, read and remembered and told stories and now it is all p t together. W are inter sted in labeling photos so we can remember our friends. If you see someone, add t eir nam attach a sticky note and I'll get it done. Same thing if you see errors. I was in the original fire department when we first started it. I took most of the photos so I'm never in any of them. We started out with one old tanker and our turnouts consisted of jackets nd helmets - that was all we had. Fortunately, no one got hurt. We never entered any uildings, we just fought the fire from outside and kept it from spreading to surrounding areas. It's great to see that the department lives on and is infinitely better equipped and trained than we wer in the beginning years. We hope to never be needed, but we will be. Let's k e documenting. Clip those articles and take more photos, please. I have another binder that w an start to fill up. Thank you everyone! athy ( ~ ck) Carson 0 , pie s take good care of the scrapbooks. There are the two. I couldn't remove the items from the iginal book as they were tearing easily, so we11 have to just keep it as is. l ( 1 r;Ju-,.r-, {1~0 Yr¼ <<L ~ ~~ J; v\k- (, Q__ ~ ~ r; ~ / ~ Joh,)"':)~ -- _______ _, _,. ( Bluff Volunteer Fire Department Our Volunteer Fire Department was formed in the spring of 1975 because we, in town, realized a great need for this service. We also wanted to lower our fire insurance rates. Bluff is a town of only 200-250 people. The only way we could get a pumper truck from the Forest Service was to organize a department and maintain the truck. We have done so and have done it well even though our department is now very small. All of our department officers are women. I am the Secretary/Treasurer/Historian, as well as a driver. Drivers need to "exercise" the truck as it needs to be driven around town once a week to keep the batteries charged. Most of the men work out of town during the day so the women answer daytime calls. They also conduct the fire drills at the Bluff School. We enjoy our work very much. It never caused any public outcry from the townspeople but a few tourists were a little surprised once. A trailer drawn by a car was heading north out of town when it caught fire. We received the call and when we, the women, arrived the tourists were shocked and did protest. We went ahead and put out the fire anyway. The male members have never objected to there being female members and officers. In fact, they back us up fully and even insist that women always be in charge as this is unique. Recently a photograph was circulated in many papers. It was of our chief, Betty Gaines, when she was expecting her baby. It was only meant for a local paper but UPI and AP got hold of it and it went everywhere. ( The only obstacles we have had to overcome were the lack of proper equipment but that is all solved now. Our District Fire Warden has gone to the county commission and has gotten us a new pump on the truck, turnout coats, hats, breathing apparatus and many other items. As for memorable events, every fire is memorable. We don't have very many fires and are always joking that the ones we do have should be limited to spring and summer and daylight hours. We had one fire in May of this year. An old chapel, then owned by the Senior Citizens, burned at 3:00 one morning. It was an old building and burned completely. This was during the week and we all had to go to work after it was over. We were trained for our work by a fire chief from another town and by our fire warden. They worked through Utah Technical College in Provo and we received our certificates from that school. Yes, I would encourage other women to join. It has really been very exciting work and I feel we have really done some good things for our town. We have a new station house now also. Our town ambulance is also kept in this same building. I am also a driver on call for the ambulance. There aren't but three or four of us in town that want to do that kind of work. I have taken the EMT training. This has been revised, but was written in 1978. Parts of it were used in a Scholastic Magazine publication featuring two teachers, Kathy Carson and Marsha Hart, who were in BVFD at the time. I took out a sentence that mentioned that two other members were also teachers. I can't remember who they were. I can't remember the fire warden't name, but Betty does, I bet. It was John___ . He was so supportive. Our turnouts were limited to just the coat and helmet, nothing else, fyi. Needless to say, we didn't go into burning buildings, just fought from outside. Oh, the chapel. It was later determined to be arson, but one could never determine who did it. The chapel was on Faye Belle's property, west of the two story house. rt Blu""f Volunteer Fire· Lic;t U0'Jt. 13,-,t,ty & ~1Jclvin Gflines- ii-6 Eubm & Kathy Carson- 7J i?~-s'f.f~) 1:::ny J-ohnson- 71~ Iris ChRncey- 75 Bobby .'\,; 'I'rnC'y & Ed l\;cFl VPY iHco !1borto & :-:tcve Gr incs 0 l ') :~crl iE3 1-Iyl tor1 - 16 I I I <I I (. (I Gene Fou.sh<)e & ,Ji'r1 & /\w1 Cl01'V'n t: • --r'l Clcmrna Arthur -- 8? 1)-,n ', 1 rr>c0 - l-1-l A terr e fire last Friday morning bollowed out the old Kumen Jones home, located across the street from the LDS church. The old home was immediately ablaze and no futile attempts were made to extinguish ·the fire. Volunteer efforts wer.e ma.de to contain ~e fire, using tractors and shovels. The fire also consumed the stone carriage use in back of the home. The old home, presently owned by Vaughan Watkins of rovo, has been vacant for any years. Before the fire eslruction, several authorties had considered the basic tructure. of the handsome ne home to be restorable. ~ eseJ:ltly, only fourofthehisic old homes built by the ~!~ioneers are still oc- \ LoiciMisner ~ is out of hospital now and recQPeratinc at his granddaughter Jackie Fullert-s home in .Monticello. Joyce and RaNee Nielson traveled to Clovis, New Mexico, to attend Joyce's brothers Wedding. .Joe Black.and Pam Chambers ·)Vere married last •· Saturday~ Clemma Arthur's mother, Mrs. Daisy Hadden, returned to her hom~ in Globe, Arizona, after visit~ with the Arthurs for several weeks. The Aaronic PriestboodAcctivity group has ventured a. little in entertainment. For the past two months the group_ has been working on a dramatization of Hole µi the Rock. The. ten-nµnute production, written and directed by Rosalee Goldman.. was presented in its early, rough form at the Relief Society birthday party in March. Just last week the group presented the production to a very appreciative audience of Bluff grade schoolstudents. This week it will be taken to Blanding to compete in the Heritage Arts Festival. The 1ina1 performance will be at the Talent Show for the Bluff Homecoming Day. The production is a very novel and imaginative ap-· proach to the • Last Dance at Dancehall Rock". The fourteen member, young peoples' cast has expressed greatenthusiasm and ability for such a performance. David Denn!son and Clemma Arthur have aided Mrs. Goldman inproducingthe show. All-out _efforts are continu• ing to be made in the campaign to raise money for Jerri Whipple, who was seriously in• jured when she fell from a 60 foot cliff sever al weeks ago. Last Sunday a fund-raising dinner was .given. The comlJ!ittee has already raised Bluff Stuf . -~ 4...-1-1\ by Kathy Meck.· • Basketball season is over for the Bluff Angelfire team. The last game was ~ allstar game held last Thursday in Blanding. No onefromBluff was chosen to play on the allstar team. .Maybe- next year. I think I heard there will be one last tournament April 1, 2 and 3 in Blanding, but Pm sure of the times • . n:X The Volunteer Fite Departent is going to sponsor one ~ ore evening of Bingo in April. e watcbi.ng tbe poster in tbe • Post owce IDr the oxact date. ' They need your support so please come out and play. It is really a lot of fun. -\...--. For those of you who didn't go to the Talent Show Saturday, March 2'1, . 17ou really m~sed something. .It was sort of unorganized and not very will publicized but ·it -was a • very good show. The idea for one came •about Wben Ruben's guitar class was still going on. The kids in the class wanted to put on a program to show what they learned in the eight weeks that thet had classes. ~ The boys who completed the eight-weeksession were Matt and Jerry Cook, John Scott, Jimmy Carlson and Carl Edwards. All five of these boys performed different songs they had been working on. Other locaLpeople were also invited to share their talent. George and Mary Hatch played some numbers on fiddle and guitar; Ralph and Dick Howe played guitar and pia,no and George joined them in a few numbers also; Ruben Carson sang a few songs and then he ana Nick Mose~ who plays drums, got-- together and did a few more. Father Scott also got up on ·the stage to play two or three different pieces on the pi ano. Everyone really had a good time and I think we all thoroughly enjoyed the eve~., We h1a1<e ~ l. v t-1"1 -r,dt-,.;t'l "- f=>~ er,, this town. The Talent Show was held at 8 p.m. at the Bluff School. Maybe we· will have another one soon. I sure hope so. (When l get my film back, Pll try to get· some pict~es published.) That is all for this week, Remember, if you have any Call news, let me know. {I have a new number• 6'122273) or come by after school ,n~,-Vlw~~ ' I SAN JUAN RECORD, Thursday, :S:e:pt:e:m:be = r -;l:5,~ 197;;:;:;'1~-~ P:ag:e~14;--- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - Bluff volunteer fire fighters headed by 'expectant' chief by Margie Teeter When there is a fire in Bluff a unique group of fire fiehters show up to extquish the blaze. They are members of the Bluff Volunteer Fire Department. The group includes a pregnant fire chief, school teachers, cafe owner and cafe workers, a service station operator, housewives and senior citizens. It all started abouttwo years ago when a group of concerned citizens met to discuss upgrading the department. •we decided we needed something better,• Fire Chief Betty Gaines said. •·so we had a meeting.• Mrs. Gaines was elected assistant fire chief , but the man who was elected fire chiefwas unable to spend enough time on the position, and before she knew it she was the new fire chief. She's still wondering how she got involved in the whole thing. Although she's expecting a baby in two months, she continues to be active in the department management. Mrs. Gaines says that she does get some kidding about being a woman fire chief and about being pregnant. One man keeps asking • Why would a woman want to be fire chief?" and Mrs. Gaines• brother wonders "Who's ever heard of a pregnant fire chief?• Mrs. Gaines says it isn't all that hard. The volunteer members all workwelltogethe rand everyone helps do the work. After the group was organized the prospective firemen began taking a fire fighting course taught by Dick Frank, then the Blanding fire chief. Members of the Bluff Volunteer Fire Department pose beside their fire truck. The membership includes school teachers, a cafe owner and several senior citizens. The members received certificates from utah Technical College upon completion of the 24-hour course. The department has 14 active members, eight of whom Bluff Stuff by Alvin Reiner Once again I forgot that on holidays UJ!Cle_ Sam an~• Aunt" Dorothy (our postmistress) are on vacation and thus the mail doesn't go through. Perhaps I could have folded my Stuff Bluff comumn into a paper airplane, stood on top of the Navajo Twin rocks, waited for a good wind from the south and let it fly to Monticello. However I would have probably been cited for air pollution, so I thought I had better wait another week. If you noticed the flags flyinc at the Howe Brothers Rock Shop and the Recapture Lodge the day after Labor Day, it wasn't because they forgot to take them down. Instead, it was in honor ofArlieHooper• s birthday; as for his age, he will probably only admit to being older than our present fifty-star flag which came into being in 1959. Our fire chief, Betty Gaines, has had her photograph grace newspapers as far away as Atlanta, Georgia, Although Betty was singled out, the rest of the fire department deserve recognition as well, even though they all aren't pregnant women. At any rate it's good to see this type of publicity emanating from our community rather than the malignant misconceptions per petrated and disseminated by a few disgruntled individuals. Marsha Hart is in need of old clothes, kitchen utensils, costume jewelry and dolls. No, she hasn't been hit by hard times, but desires the aforementioned for use in her kindergarten class. Our town council, previously known as the board of trustees, held a busy meeting on Tuesday, -September 6. Treasurer Laurel Thompson reported that we•re still solvent with $ 1,466.20 in the kitty as of August 31. A discussion revolved around maintaining the street light at the corner by the Twin Rocks Market. It was felt that the light was needed at this location but Mr. Adams had deelined to pay one half of the cost as other merchants in town had done with the lights near their businesses. This problem will be looked into in more detail, in the future. The council voted in favor of a resolution allowing Jack 281 ~,~u or u - FORESTR AND 11tt coan: FI HE ~ Bluff Fire Chief Betty Gaines stands beside the department's fire truck. Secretarf-treas urer Kathy Carson is behind the wheel. The truck is a Z0••year old State Forest Department truck. Snobble and his group to proceed with their plans to build a desert study center up Cottonwood Wash. Several citizens expressed anger over the locked gate which denies access to Cottonwood Wash and the public • lands. Ed Carlson stated that this might be his last meeting as he and his family would be moving to Blanding. Although Ed and I have had disagreements on several matters there• s no denying that Ed has spent innumerable hours on behalf of the town as a council member, and as headofthe Bicentennial Park committee. Therefore I'd like to thank Ed in behalf of the citizens for all his efforts. He and his wife Terry have also been active members of the volunteer fire department. Alvin Reiner advised the council that some county recreation funds are still available, and the council should decide on what recreational facilities they might desire for the town. Some of the ideas discussed included water fountains at the parks and roadside rest areas, a shelter at the Navajo Twin Rocks, picnic tables, fire places and new bleachers. If anyone has any suggestions, please contact me so we can consider your ideas and I can present them at the next county recreation meeting. The upcoming fall elections were discussed as the present board was picked by the county commissioners; therefore there will be elections for mayor, two 2-year council members and two 4-year council members. lfyou•re interested in tossing your hat in the ring contact Glenn French, Gale Bachman or Diane Sampson by September 18. Diane Sampson was installed as the new town clerk. It was good to see a large number of interested citizens attend this meeting and participate in our town's affairs. There have been two recent appointments in our community. Merlin Morgan has been selected as the bishop of the Bluff L.D.S. Church while Baxter Benally has been installed as senior warden at St. Christopher's Mission. Congratulations to the both of you in assuming these high positions in your respective churches. I understand Mir um McC leery has been bed-ridden with a sore back. I trust that by the time this comes out you'll be back at work in the Bluff Elementary school. It is with sorrow that I write about the recent deathof Tony Holliday and his wife in a recent car crash. Tony had worked at the Bluff school two years ago. That• s it for this week. are women, and would like to get a few more volunteers, according to Mrs. Gaines. Other officers in the department are women, also. Kathy Carson is the secretary-treasurer and Marsha Hart and Iris Chancy are assistant fire chiefs. The women joke among themselves about being "fire persons-. Fire person Clemma Arthur says •Bluff is a liberated town". Despite the jokes the members take their jobs seriously, saying that someone has to do it. They feel it is only logical that women do it because the men are often away from town working. The women fire fighters have gotten some double takes. Mrs. Gaines recounts how they were called to one trailer fire. When the women fire fighters showed up, the lady at the trailer asked: •What are you women doing here?• There is no fire alarm system in Bluff and the volunteers have no fire phones. But Mrs. Gainess figures that most fire fighters are notified within three minutes of an alarm. Sometimes they show up they came when they weren't even wanted. A person was having a controlled burn and asked that the truck be slipped for standby. Before long the whole department showed UD. The department uses a State Forest Department truck that holds 1,500 gallons of water. There are also fire hydrants throughout the town. At present the fire truck, a 20-year-old Army surplus gas truck is parked at the fire chief's house while the fire station is undergoing remodeling. The station is being winterized to prevent freeze ups. !!'he volunteer fire department has become a family af fair for the Gaineses. The fire chief's husband, Melvin, a worker for the Department of Transportation, spends his spare time keeping the fire truck in working condition. Her daughter, Donna, telephones other volunteer members when a fire is reported. Mr. Gaines isn't at all upset that his wife is the fire chief. "Better her than me,• is his sentiment. The group holds monthly meetings. And once a week the truck is taken out on test runs. Six of the volunteer firemen are qualified to drive the truck. They have saved several trailer houses and have respe)llded to ~ ~il!iiil:iiiliillit. All the training and experience has had one side effect, according to Mrs. Gaines: "It's really made us aware of fire.• Dear Melvin and Betty Gaines Dear Editor: This letter was sent to Melvin and Betty Gaines in appreciation for their support. Please accept these small gifts from the current members of the Bluff Fire Department as a very inadequate thank you for the years of service you both put into creating and running our organization. You two were instrumental in forming the original Bluff Volunteers in 1976 and kept the department running, growing and functioning for some 20 years. The years of dedication and work that your family and many volunteers donated to Bluff FD made it a very respected Department in both the County and State and that "Respect" is a great inheritance we current volunteers enjoy. The pride and selfless service you gave this organization are the very spirit of BVFD and they have given us the boost to continue that work and to provide services to not just our town neighbors but also to other south county communities and the traveling public as well. Current Fire Chief Jim Hook looks to you two as the parents ofBVFD. The volunteers promise to answer every call, meet every challenge, and face every emergency that the future brings us - that is the tradition we follow - our inheritance from you. Thank you, Jim Hook, Fire Chief and the Bluff Volunteer Fire Department EXPECTS MORE THAN A FIRE-Mrs. Betty Gaines, left, chief of the 14- member volunteer fire department in Bluff, Utah, carries on her duties despite being pregnant. With her is Kathy Corson, another of eight women in department. AP Wirephoto ( Female firefighters Two teachers, both women, are members of the Bluff (San Juan County) Volunteer Fire Department. One, Kathy Carson, drives the pumper truck. The other, Marsha Hart, is assistant fire chief. The fire department went into business a couple of years ago when a lot of Bluff citizens were talking about the high fire insurance rates. A fire department would help bring the insurance costs down. So they got a used truck from the U.S. Forest Service, signed up a lot of volunteers, and got some fire plugs installed in Bluff. The Bluff Volunteer Fire Department has a commendable record, but there's one problem. 'It's those fire hydrants. They produce so much pressure, the force of that water shooting through a hose can whip petite women firefighters around like so many leaves in the wind. Sometimes it takes three or four persons to handle a hose. The fire department is launching a membership recruitment drive to sign up more members, though, so there may soon be plenty of firefighters available for duty on the hose crew. Mrs. Carson said she expects her husband will be the first citizen to join. ~~ c t ~ ~ Wc..J\. {n:,t u''fJ( /)1:.,. crf' 0 p~b(1$ ,e~ bl St la.sf1 c.,, ~ Not Your Usual Fire Laddies The Salt Lake Tribune, Sunday, August 28, 1977 C i Pregnant Fireperson Directs Bluff's Prideful Volunteers Fire fighters · Laurel Thompson, second from left, and Terry Carlson practice with fire hose. Volunteer fire depart,ilent uses i,500gallon Utah state forest dfpartment vehicle. Text and Photos By Tribune Correspondent Margie 'feeter BLUFF, San Juan County - Members of the volunteer fire department in this small southeastern utah town don't fit the stereotype of the average fire fighter. But that doesn't stop them from dropping everything and rushing to extinguish a blaze. Tlw hst of unusual volunteers includes a pregnant fire chkt, school teachers, a caie ow'Iler and several senior citizens, including one who gets around with the aid of a cane and a crutch. They take pride in their work. "We've kept some fires from spreadmg which could have caused some problems," one declared. Betty Gaines, the fire chief, is still wondering how she got involved. She's expecting a baby in two months but continues to be active in the depa•-tment management. Takes Some Kidding Mrs. Gaines says that she does get some kidding. She says that her brother keeps asking, "Who's ever heard of a pregnant fire chief?" • The volunteer fire department has become a family affair for the Gaineses. The fire chief's husband, Melvin, a worker for the Department of Transportation, spends his spare time keeping the fire truck in working condition. Her daughter Donna telephones other volunteer members when a fire is reported. Mr. Gaines isn't at all upset that his wife is the fire chief. "Better her than me," is his sentiment. Mrs. Gaines said two years ago residents of the town felt the department needed to be upgraded. and there is no alarm system in town, hut they . figure that mrnit fire fighters a re notified within three minutes of an al 1rm. One time they showed up at a cont rolled burn without being called. The person who was burning asked that the truck be slipped out for standby. Before long the whole department showed up. The department uses a State Forest Department tl1J('k that holds l,500 gallons of water. Mrs. Gaines says the truck bas never run out of water. When the town installed a new water system, fire hydrants were also placed throughout the town. , At presen1 the fire truck, a ::c, yearo.ld Army surplus gas truck, is parked at the fire chief's house whlle the hre station is undergoing remodeling. The station is being winterized to prevent freeze-ups. Some County Aid The department has a few fire hats but still needs coats and hats. They get some aid from the county, which supplies gas for the truck and purchases other needed supplies. In the nearly two years the group has been organized they've had only one failure. A mobile home was destroyed by fire last year, but the volunteers feel they were called too late. ., They h~v saved several trailer houses and Jave responded to many brush fires. Besides f' hting fires, the group also helps the lo •al grade school hold fire drills. The l•st one was a surprise. The volunteers called it successful, with the students getting out in 37 seconds. All of the training and experience has had one side effect, according to Mrs. Gaines. "It's realiy made us aware of fire." Fire fi{(hting can be a hot, dangerous job but the volunteer fire fighters here will always come running when the alarm is given. After all, as they say, someone has to do it. Fire C 1ef Betty Gaines, left, with s retary-treasurer Kathy Carson. Mrs. Gaines says fire department is family affair. Melvin Gaines is.11 't at all upset that bis wife, Betty. is fire chief. "Better her tha.11 me," he says. She Got the Job Unlikely members of the Bluff Volunteer Fire '. Department include a pregnant fire chief, a 1 I cafe owner, school teachers, senior citizens. "Who's ever heard of a pregnant fire chief?" "We had a meeting," she explained, '· and I was elected assistant fire chief." She said that the man who was named fire chief just didn't have the time to devote to the position and before she knew it she was the chief. It isn't that hard because everyone helps out, according to the fire chief. After the meeting the prospective volunteer firemen began taking a fire fighting course taught by Dick Frank, then the Blanding fire chief. After 24 hours of training they received certificates from Utah Technical College. The department has 14 active members, eight of whom are women, and would like to get a few more volunteers, according, to Mrs. Gaines. Other Women t" •r orticers in the department are wo ell, also. Kathy Carson is the sec tary-treasurer and Marsha Hart an Iris Chancy are assistant fire chi fs. !though the women joke among selves about being "firepersons," take their jobs seriously, saying someone has to do it. They feel it is logical that women do it because th men are often away from town wrking. "Bluff is a liberated t9wn," Firepers Clemma Arthur joked. She added, ever, that they all work hard. The women fire fighters have gotten , me double takes. Mrs. Gaines reunts how they were called to one ailer fire. When the women fire hters showed up, the lady at the ailer asked, ''What are you women oing here?" No Alarm System The volunteers have no fire phones hRE F/6-#T/.A/C eAN BE l:>ANtiERtJu~ story and ph otos by ANDREW JO:\':O:S Bluff fi re chief Bet t y Gaine s stands n e xc to the :i~e truck loade2 ~it~ Bluff stl'.de,1ts. ( The kindergarten and second graders went o ver t o the Bluff fire station to learn about what it takes to be a fireperson, and the equipment they use. Betty Gaines, the Bluff Fire Chief, met us there. At one time she was famous, as newspapers across the country wrote articles about her being a pregnant fire chief. This was when she was going to have Brian, who is now in the First Grade. All the fire fighters in Bluff are volunteers, and do it because they care about the town and the area around it. They have to learn about different kinds of fires, because some can be very dangerous if poisons are burning. They have to watch out that they don't inhale too much smoke, and that they dont get burned. It is a very dangerous job, and Betty Gaines said it can get scary at times. The fire fighters have to be able to use the different kinds of equipment that include axes, shovels, picks, hoses and air masks. Most of the fires around Bluff are caused by people not being careful, especially when they do things like burn trash. There have been some pretty dangerous fires. One happened when a gas truck was filling up a service station and a spark caused an explosion. It could have been very bad. ~trading post · caught fire in the middle of the night from electrical problems, and the Senior Citizens Center burned down, but they still haven't caught the person who did it. Those on the fire department who work without pay are: Betty Gaines, Chief; Iris Chancey,Assistant Chief; Kathy Carson, secretaty-treasurer; Donna Anderson, Jeff Anderson, Melvin Gaines. Ralph and Richard Howe are retired but they drive the fire truck every week to keep the battery charged. The kids all learned alot at the fire station. (see related photo on the next page) Porfrotf ef ~ Polar:8eor LARGE WASHERS$ 1.50 SMALL WASHERS$ .75 DRYERS 25¢ FOR 13 MIN. OPEN EVERY DAY ------------8 AM to 9 PM 232 EAST CENTRAL, MONTICELLO, UTAH OWNER: BOB LOW • • THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday February 11, 1987 - Page 3 The Bluff volunteer fire department was called out in the middle of winter to quell a brush fire southeast of town. Here, Bill Davis hoses down some hot spots amid the fog-like smoke. Also helping were Hanley Begay, Tim and Julie Smart, Ralph Howe and Ray Bowen. The fire burned several acres before it was controlled. THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday May 13, 1987 - Page 9 Firefighting students demonstrate rescue procedures. G. Kensley photo San Juan fire department training The San Juan County Fire Department, in cooperation with the Bluff Fire District, recently sponsored the Utah Technical College Firefighter 1 course at Bluff. Attending were firefighters from the Bluff, Mexican Hat, and Monticello districts of the county fire department. The course, lasting 40 hours, districts also completed the Shields, and included instruction in fire chemistry, fire behavior, pump operations, ladders, ropes, rescue, and safety. Firefighters from the La Sal, Cedar Point, and Monticello Districts also completed the State Lands and Forestry's Wildland Firefighter Course taught by Tony Dietz, from Salt Lake City. District Fire Warden George Kensley and Monticello District Chief John Saltzman completed the National Fire Academy Course Initial Tactical operations. Anyone interested in assisting the fire department should contact their local fire chief, or District Fire Warden George Kensley at 587-2897. 50 years ago (I 1t:e c/,) Under the direction of Brother Juniper, the Bluff Chamber of Commerce met to establish a volunteer fire department. • Boy Scouts leaving for the National Jamboree in Valley Forge are Craig Leavitt, Jeff Bailey, Lyon Hazelton, Bruce Adams, Paul Redd, Mark Nielson, Doug Boyle, and four Redd brothers (Don, Vernon, Grayson and Scott) from Monticello and Boyd Bradford, Kelly Bayles, Calvin Bayles, Jimmy Hacking, Grant Hurst and Mike Halliday frorp Blanding. Leaders are Cleal Bradford ahd Leonard Hurst. ~I rO 14 "")-- Bluff fire department 6f)1;h11 ia,i-.. • Continued from page 2 fire department. Board members Bluff fire departm ent look nul1:d that businesses have a substantial investment in the commufor •a few good ... people' nity and stand to lose the most if . by Neil Joslin to the service After 18 years of . ~luff ~olunteer Fire_ Departm~n,t, fire chief Betty Gam_es says it s time to step down. Games told the Bluff Service Area Board last Wednesday the community needs someone younger to take over leadership of the fire department. "You need someone with fire training," Gaines told the Board. "Whoever it is must be responsible for everything. I've been fire chief for 18 years and it's time to pass the torch." Gaines also told the Board the fire department needs more volunteers to train as fire fighters and be available to help. She explained that recruiting needs to . ·ty for whoever takes be a pnon her place because there just aren't man trained fire fighters in the Y community now. "Once we had 25 trained people, so you always had enough but now we're lucky to get anyone to show up," she added. Board members agreed there is a problem, especially with the turnover of people in the last several years. Now, they noted, there are only 2 or 3 people who hold things together. It was suggested letters be written to each business owner, explaining the situation and requesting an employee from each business be asked to join the Continued on page 8 l fire ever hit their businesses. Gaines noted that the department needs at least ten new volunteers, who are willing to undergo the ,. , ,,,-;,:.. ·.·.~-" ..- . training required. She said besides herself, Melvin Gaines and Kathy ~there is no one els; fully trained in fire fighting techniques. Board members and those at the meeting said they felt several people would volunteer if they were approached. However, some concern was expressed Jhat training might be a problem for some people. Anyone wishing to join the Bluff volunteer fire department approves regaramg ou11amg permits and regulations. The Board voted unanimously to require a building permit for any mobile home, or camp trailer, to be used for permanent living circumstances, with or without a permanent foundation. The Board also agreed to work closely with Bunker, who is also the county building inspector, and inform him of building projects started, or completed, without necessary building permits. Bunker explained that penalties can be assessed for failure to obtain a required building permit. Bluff Volunteer Fire Department Jim Hook- Acting Fire Chief P.O. Box 309 - Highway 191 Bluff, UT 84512 Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] MEETING AGENDA Fire House- Saturday, August 23, 1997- 1300 hrs I. Business Meeting need addresses, fund raising, ISO rating (9), reports (brief cases), payable fires, debriefing since last meeting, public awarenessNavajo fair parade. II. Turnouts bring all of your gear. sizes to trade out Ill. Hydrant Inspection Melvin show how Divide into 3 teams- test Bluff Hydrants, need test report form IV. Other V. Next Meeting Training Subjects 1, BLUFF VFD ROSTER Bill Davis 672-2272 or 2209 Melvin Gaines 672-2246 Bill Gaines 672-2246 Craig Simpson 672-2298 or 2243 Jim Hook 672-2281 Tim Smart 672-2391 Kathy Carson 672-2273 Mark Bond/Robbin Bond 672-2250 Kyle Bauman no phone Larry Sanford 672-2466 cell 459-4238 Ray Bowman 672-2254 Jonathan Till (JT) 672-2268 Phil Hall 672-2202 Lisa Stanley no phone Amer Tumeh 672-2393 or 2341 Vaughn Hadenfeldt 672-2290 or 2294 Denny Bellison 672-2361 Clay Hamilton 672-2205 Mark Meloy 672-2291 Theresa Breznau/ Gene Stevenson 672-2277 David Inscore 672-2240 Joe Pachak 672-2235 Jeremy Harrison 672-2467 Jim Sayers 672-2276 Frank Morrel Fire Warden SJC Emergency Services P. 0. Box 9 117 S. Main Monticello, UT 84535 801-587-3225 FAX [phone] May 24, 1997- Amer Tumah, Lisa Stanley, Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Craig Simpson, Melvin Training- 10:00 AM Gaines, Mark Bond, Jonathan Till, Phil Hall, Jim Hook. with familiarization volunteers, new to issue and to 1 :00 PM. Donning turnouts LaFranz truck. Discovered that building siren was inoperable. Total time 3 hrs. June 22, 1997- Vaughn Ha9enfeldt, Larry Sanford, Bill Gaines, Tim Smart, Bill Davis, Training- 1 :00 PM to 3:00. Grass fire behavior, burned the ball field at Jim Hook. community center, truck and pump familiarization- 6x6 tanker and small pumper. Structure/grass fire at McCracken Mesa, 3:00 P.M . Bill Gaines, June 22, 1997Jim Hook, Mark Bond, Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Larry Sanford. Responded with small pump truck and 6x6 tanker. Cause: someone burning weeds. Lost 2 structures and big wood pile. Burned 1 acre of cheat grass. The Montezuma Creek Quick-response and a Tanker crew arrived 25 minutes later. The Bluff VFD left mop-up to the Montezuma Creek VFD and returned to station at 6:00 pm. Total time 3 hrs. Comments: The Bluff Quick-response truck made initial attack but ran out of water before all flames were extinguished. A gust of wind threw fire across the yard and started a new spot fire in the cheat grass. The fire was attacked with hand tools but spread quickly to 2 acres before the Montezuma Quick-response truck with only 1 person arrived. The spot fire was quickly put out. Temperature was 100 F and wind gusts were 25-30 MPH. Two other structures were u'ndamaged although the walls on both got very hot. This was a BIA Lands fire and should be billed for a total of 15 total manhours. July 1, 1997- Craig Simpson. Standby with 6x6 tanker while neighbor burned weeds. 1 hr. BLM request. Jim Hook, Aaron McLaury. Standby with 6x6 tanker July 1, 1997at Sand Island Campground while BLM crew did controlled burn of cheat grass within the campground. July 2, 1997-Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Bill Davis, Mark Bond, Larry Sanford, Jeremy Grass fire reported at foot of White Mesa Hill off Harrison. 11 :30 A.M. Highway 191. Responded with small pumper, dispatched but recalled 6x6 tanker. Total time 3 hrs. Jim Hook, Larry Sanford, Jeremy Harrison. TrainingJuly 4, 1997Familiarization with LaFranz truck, repaired station siren. Total time 2 hrs. July 6, 1997- Craig Simpson. Tanker truck on standby for weed burning. July 17, 1997- Denny Bellison, Hoyt Axton, Jeremy Harrison, Larry Sanford, Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Craig Simpson, Jim Hook. 1300 hrs.: Received call from SO of smoke on McCracken Mesa seen from White Mesa. Dispatched Quick-response Truck and Tanker Truck. 3 private vehicles carried volunteers. Blanding FD also dispatched a Tanker. A grass fire was burning along HWY 262, Mile Post 5, apparently human started from the highway as it was a cloudless, calm day. Several houses were within a mile or so, the closest 1/4 mile away. The fire was contained and put out with water and hand tools and the Bluff VFD returned to station at 1500hrs. Burned about 8 acres. The Blanding Tanker was not needed and turned back before reaching the scene. The fire was on BIA lands, so we will bill for a total of 14 manhours. Comments: The Tanker (on loan from the County while our rig is being refitted on a newer truck) was smoking and running poorly so turned back to Bluff before reaching the scene. July 29, 1997- Larry Sanford. Tanker truck on standby for trash burning behind Dairy Cafe. August 8, 1997- Jim Hook. 2000hrs. S.O. called Recapture, wanted someone to checkout a report of smoke between Bluff and Recapture Wash. Dispatched Quick-response truck. Nothing found. Returned to station 21 O0hrs. ( August 17, 1997- Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Mark Bond, Bill Gaines, Denny Bellison. 1635 hours: Received report from K&C (Recapture line busy) that SO wanted us to dispatch to a structure fire at Halchita Community. Dispatched Quick-response truck, LaFranz truck, and Tanker. The initial attack was by the Monument Valley VFD and the house was burned to the ground and just smoking when the Bluff VFD arrived. The Bluff VFD returned to station at 1830 hrs. Comments: 1) Heard that the Mexican Hat VFD were unable to respond because trucks were inoperable. 2) Recapture dispatch gave wrong directions to the Quick-response truck but they figured out the mistake with no loss of time. 3) All equipment was dispatched from Bluff leaving no local protection . 4) The Bluff Tanker had a dead battery. Make sure all switches are off when putting it away. 5) The door lock on the Tanker bay would not open. 6) We will bill the BIA through the County for 8 man hours total. August 17, 1997- Report to Recapture of electrical arc sparking at firehouse. Melvin found that the meter base to the tanker bay had burned up. Northern Electric will remove the old meter base, attach the tanker firebay electric to the big fire house meter (billable to the County), and move the siren controls into the big fire house. August 19, 1997- Jim Hook. Attended the county fire chiefs meeting in Monticello at 1900 hrs. State Fire Marshal in attendance. Report will be given at next VFD meeting in Bluff. County will reimburse mileage. Return to Bluff 2300 hrs. August 19, 1997- Melvin Gaines. Report called to Recapture from Ruben Carson of smoke upstream of the foot bridge. Melvin drove out to see, just a smoldering trash burn on Reservation side of the river, not burning and nowhere for it to go. Re-checked it the next morning, no smoke found. 1 hour. BLUFF VFD LOG ( May 24, 1997- Amer Tumeh , Lisa Stanley, Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Craig Simpson, Melvin Gaines, Mark Bond, Jonathan Till, Phil Hall, Jim Hook. Training- 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Donning turnouts and issue to new volunteers, familiarization with LaFranz truck. Discovered that building siren was inoperable. Total time 3 hrs. June 22, 1997- Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Larry Sanford, Bill Gaines, Tim Smart, Bill Davis, Jim Hook. 1 :00 PM to 3:00. Grass fire behavior, burned the ball field at community center, truck and pump familiarization- 6x6 tanker and small pumper. Training- June 22 , 1997- (#BH001) Structure/ grass fire at McCracken Mesa, 3:00 P.M. Bill Gaines, Jim Hook, Mark Bond, Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Larry Sanford. Responded with small pump truck and 6x6 tanker. Cause: someone burning weeds. Lost 2 structures and big wood pile. Burned 1 acre of cheat grass. The Montezuma Creek Quick-response and a Tanker crew arrived 25 minutes later. The Bluff VFD left mop-up to the Montezuma Creek VFD and returned to station at 6:00 pm. Total time 3 hrs. Comments: The Bluff Quick-response truck made initial attack but ran out of water before air flames were extinguished. A .gust of wind threw fire across the yard and started a new spot fire in the cheat grass. The fire was attacked with hand tools but spread quickly to 2 acres before the Montezuma Quick-response truck with only 1 person arrived. The spot fire was quickly put out. Temperature was 100 F and wind gusts were 25-30 MPH. Two other structures were undamaged although the walls on both got very hot. This was a BIA Lands fire and should be billed for a total of 15 total manhours. July 1, 1997- Craig Simpson. Standby with 6x6 tanker while neighbor burned weeds. 1 hr. July 1, 1997BLM request. Jim Hook, Aaron McLaury. Standby with 6x6 tanker at Sand Island Campground while BLM crew did controlled burn of cheat grass within the campground. July 2, 1997- (BH002) Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Bill Davis, Mark Bond, Larry Sanford, Jeremy Harrison. 11 :30 A.M . Grass fire reported at foot of White Mesa Hill off Highway 191 . Responded with small pumper, dispatched but recalled 6x6 tanker. Total time 3 hrs. July 4, 1997Jim Hook, Larry Sanford, Jeremy Harrison. Training- Familiarization with LaFranz truck, repaired station siren. Total time 2 hrs. July 6, 1997- Craig Simpson. Tanker truck on standby for weed burning . July 17, 1997- (#BH003) Denny Bellison, Hoyt Axton , Jeremy Harrison, Larry Sanford, Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Craig Simpson , Jim Hook. 1300 hrs.: Received call from SO of smoke on McCracken Mesa seen from White Mesa. Dispatched Quick-response Truck and Tanker Truck. 3 private vehicles carried volunteers. Blanding FD also dispatched a Tanker. A grass fire was burning along HWY 262, Mile Post 5, apparently human started from the highway as it was a cloudless, calm day. Several houses were within a mile or so, the closest 1/4 mile away. The fire was contained and put out with water and hand tools and the Bluff VFD returned to station at 1500hrs. Burned about 8 acres. The Blanding Tanker was not needed and turned back before reaching the scene. The fire was on BIA lands, so we will bill for a total of 14 manhours. Comments : The Tanker (on loan from the County while our rig is being refitted on a newer truck) was smoking and running poorly so turned back to Bluff before reaching the scene. July 29, 1997- Larry Sanford . Tanker truck on standby for trash burning behind Dairy Cafe. August 8, 1997- Jim Hook. 2000hrs. S.O. called Recapture, wanted someone to checkout a report of smoke between Bluff and Recapture Wash. Dispatched Quick-response truck. Nothing found . Returned to station 21 00hrs. August 17, 1997- (#BH004) Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Mark Bond, Bill Gaines, Denny Bellison. 1635 hours: Received report from K&C (Recapture line busy) that SO wanted us to dispatch to a structure fire at Halchita Community. Dispatched Quick-response truck, LaFranz truck, and Tanker. The initial attack was by the Monument Valley VFD and the house was burned to the ground and just smoking when the Bluff VFD arrived. The Bluff VFD returned to station at 1830 hrs. Comments: 1) Heard that the Mexican Hat VFD were unable to respond because trucks were inoperable. 2) Recapture dispatch gave wrong directions to the Quick-response truck but they figured out the mistake with no loss of time. 3) All equipment was dispatched from Bluff leaving no local protection. 4) The Bluff Tanker had a dead battery. Make sure all switches are off when putting it away.5) The door lock on the Tanker bay would not open. 6) We will bill the BIA through the County for 8 man hours total. August 17, 1997- Report to Recapture of electrical arc sparking at firehouse. Melvin found that the meter base to the tanker bay had burned up. Northern Electric will remove the old meter base, attach the tanker fire bay electric to the big fire house meter (billable to the County), and move the siren controls into the big fire house. August i9, 1997- Jim Hook. Attended the county fire chiefs meeting in Monticelio at 1900 hrs. State Fif:e Marshal in attendance. Report will be given at next VFD meeting in Bluff. County will reimburse mileage. Return to Bluff 2300 hrs. August 19, 1997- Melvin Gaines. Report called to Recapture from Ruben Carson of smoke upstream o1 the foot bridge. Melvin drove out to see, just a smoldering trash burn on Reservation side of the river, not burning and nowhere for it to go. Rechecked it the next morning, no smoke found. 1 hour. August 23, 1997- TRAINING. David Inscore, Melvin Gaines, Lisa Stanley, Larry Sanford, Mark Meloy, Phil Hall, Jeremy Harrison, Jim Hook. A report was given on the Chief's Meeting held in MonticelkJ on Au_gusl 19 which was attended by the State Fire Marshall, Gary Wise. A map of the primary responsibility area was received and is posted at the fire house. Melvin Gaines then gave instruction on opening fire hydrants. The volunteers in attendance then split into 3 teams and did the first testing of all hydrants in Bluff. Several were found to be inoperable and were reported to the Water Committee. Vehicles were checked out and pumps started by all volunteers. 8 volunteers X 3 hours= 24 TRAINING HOURS. August 31, 1997- Jim Hook, Larry Sanford. Request by trucker to standby and provide traffic controt oo east side of Lime Ridge on Hwy 163 as he unloaded an RV for some stranded motorists. 1 hour. September 13, 1997- Navajo Fair parade- Jim Hook, Melvin Gaines, Joe.Pachak, David Inscore- V.ehide orientation, and inspection , turnouts, new fire alarm , parade. 2 hrs November 31, 1997 (#BH005- COTTONWOOD DRUNK FIREj - Mark Bond, Bill Davis, Melvin Gaines, Phil. Hall, Jeremy Harrison, Mark Meloy, Vance Nielson, Jo':l Pachak, Larry Sanford, Craig Simpson, Tim Smart, Gene Stevenson, Jonathan Till, Amer Tumeh. 10:30 p.m. Jeremy Harrison called the Recapture Lodge to report flames 200 yards southwest of the Kokopelli Motel on the east side of Cottonwood Wash. Larry Sanford dispatched the VFD with the phone tree. The quick response truck and the water tender were dispatched to the scene. A strip of dense tamarisk and buried wood about 100 feet long was burning intensely with flames 30+ feet in the air. The crew put in a hand line and put multiple truck loads of water into the fire, filling from the fire hydrant near the Kokopelli office. Flames were extinguished and The crew went home at about 1:30 a.m. However, at 4:30 a.m. Joe Pachak called to report that the flames were burning again so the crew was again dispatched. A call was made to request help from the UDOT shed to clear a fire break with heavy equipment as the brush was too thick for effective hand line protection. A big front end loader was sent from the UDOT Bluff shed and a 20 foot wide swath was pushed out around the fire. The fire crew went home again about 7:30 a.m. The fire has been checked twice daily for hot spots and as of December 13 is still smoking in a couple of places. in all, 90 man hours were expended and about 2 hours of front end loader time from the UOOT crew, 6 hours each for the quick response truck and the water tender. Bluff Volunteer Ftre Department r Jim Hook- Acting Fire Chief P.O. Box 309 - Highway 191 Bluff, UT 84512 Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] MEETtNG AGENDA Fire House- Thursday, December 18, 1997-6:00 P.M. I. Business Meeting Debriefing on ·November 30 Fire & Safety Report ·Funds received to pay firefighters1SO rating {9) -VFD License PJates _ Report on·Montezu ma Creek Meeting- Melvin & Craig II. Turnouts - Bring alt at your gear. ·Sizes·to tradeou t Ut. Tra1n1ng - • Station & Equipme nt Famitiar1zation Winter Setup-of Qu1ck Respo.nse4x4 _ New 6x6 Watef TendeF _ana pump Donning turnouts and SCBAs Plan for weekly vehicle start & run IV. Station Work Projects County Road Map- Amer Benches and gear racks- Need Volunteers Garage·door opener- Need V-otunt-eers . V. Other VI. Next Meeting Trajnjng Subjects PA-GE3 CAUSE: (CF-UC) There was a campfire site and many beer cans under the brush along Cottonwood Wash and it appeared that the fire had not been put out and had been abandoned. This was a favorite spot tor the drunks to hang out. COST: $1194.00 (PERSONEL- 90hrs X $6.00 = $540.00. EQUIPMENT- $654.00 (4X4 quick response truck 6hrs X $34.00 = $204.00. 6X6 watertender truck 6hrs X $45.00 = $270.00. UDOT Loader (estimate) 2 hours X $90 = $180.00.)) CONCERNS: 1)The water tender would not start (dead battery} but was jump started. Batteries have since been replaced. 2) High winds could have caused spot fires to develop near several businesses and residences. 3) Melvin was bitten by a dog at the fire house. i~sve J.n ·.::1.::1n1s L6XO8 ·o·d NOS~AH.t'l)f i~sve J.n .::1.::1n1s 608XO8 ·o·d J8!48 8J!.::l 6U!P\/ ->tOOH W!r .1N3V\IH:Nd30 3l:11.::l H33J.NnlOA .::1.::1n1s ( THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday July 1, 1998 - Page 4 Firefighting efforts benefit Bluff resi~ents A recently improved_ town protection possible. This water system, more up-to- number is then used by indate county equipment and surance companies to defire dispatch system, and in- termine rates for home and creased training for volunteer business fire insurance prefirefighters will be paying off miums. Previously, Bluff's indollarsandc entssavedon ratingwasnin eandthathas fire insurance for Bluff resi- now been upgraded to six. "The Bluff Volunteer dents. InApril, theBluffVolunteer Firefighters have really been Fire Department was under working hard to get our deextremescruti nyinaninspec- partment up and running," tion performed by a repre- said Jim Hooki Bluff's Fire sentative from Insurance Ser- Chief. "We were able to vices Office, Incorporated. document over 8000 training The ISO is a private organi- hours in the last year. The zation which inspects fire de- real kicker to our higher score though was the great partments nationwide. The resulting evaluation . improvements to the town's produces a number called the water system." Bluffjust rePublic Protection Class which cently completed a $40,000 ranges from 10 for no protec- CIB and DEQ funded tion to 1 for the very highest project which netted an ex- tra 200,000 gallons of water storage, 2 new wells and many new fire hydrants. In addition to water and training, San Juan County is installing a direct dispatch system at the Bluff Fire House. "The weak link in our fire protection system has been the way we are dispatched to a fire," said chief Hook. "Up to now, when you reported a fire to 911 the Sheriff's Office then called the Bluff dispatcher on the telephone and volunteers were notified by phone or by manually sounding the fire siren. The Bluff dispatch is also the Recapture Lodge business line and it is often busy." _ With the new system being installed now, the 911 operator will be able to automatically sound the Bluff siren directly which will greatly cut down on response time. With extreme fire danger conditions all over southern Utah this summer, it is comforting to know that local fire fighters are ready to respond. ''We still have a long way to go and will continue _o ur training efforts, but fire prevention is the key to protecting our property and families. Please be careful with all fires even BBQ grills and trash cans. Be - sure to contact local fire authority before burning outdoors," cautioned Hook. J Bluff Volunteer Fire Department News ( Issue# 1 Monthly Fire Report There were no fires in the Bluff Area of Responsibility reported. The last fire was the Cottonwood Drunk Fire 11/30/97. WISH LIST: Pager for the Recapture Dispatch (Jim Hook will beg the county) Vehicle Extraction Tool I have a grant application, will someone with those skills contact Jim to begin search? Debriefing the Cottonwood Wash Fire- 11/30/97 Man Caused Fire. - Use rubber reel hose when possible in these conditions to prevent damage from stobs. • Needed more pump gas in the Ouik Response truck. (!) - Need working spot lights on 6x6 tanker. • - Need individual headlamps & batteries. • - Need to hardwire big flashlight chargers into trucks. • - Need new batteries in 6x6 tanker. (!) - Put different nozzle on tanker rubber hose. (!) '.ATE REPORT! As of 1/21 /98 there is still occasional smoke from this fire! That is almost 2 months! (!)- Work has been accomplished (')· Need volunteer to do this work January, 1998 Safety Training There was a meeting December 18 for business/safety/training at the fire house at 6:00 pm. Members present: Kyle Bauman, Denny Bellson, Mark Bond, Kathy Carson, Bill Davis, Bill Gaines, Melvin Gaines, Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Phil Hall, Clay Hamilton, Jeremy Harrison, Jim Hook, Ken Lytle, Mark Meloy, Joe Pachak, Tom Rice, Amer Tumeh. MOTIONS MADE AND CARRIED: Jim Hook- Chief Jackie Warren- Treasurer BIA labor payment go to BVFD general funds checking acct. (balance $304.88) REPORT ON MONTEZUMA CREEK MEETING: Melvin Gaines & Craig Simpson Summary; BVFD does no initial attack on oil and gas well fires without supervision from Hazardous Materials Team. (AMEN!) OF INTEREST: When you get new or replacement license plates for your vehicle you can get special Volunteer Fire plates if you are listed as a volunteer. See Mark Bond's flatbed pickup to see how they look. WORK PROJECTS: Countv Road Map- Amer Tumeh is building a frame with plexiglass cover. Donating materials and labor. Garage Door- Vaughn Hadenfeldt & Joe Pachak straightened, oiled and adjusted the doors into the little fire house. Jim Hook cut a new key for the lock (on red tag by fire whistle). The door is working much better. Thanks! Gear Rack & Bench- Denny Bellson, Ken Lytle, Tom Rice have visited Blanding FD and have designed & will build a great bench. Materials will be bought from BVFD funds. Info Cards- Ken Lytle for 10 codes & LaFranz 2 Training Opportunitie Jan. - Feb. - March Other Activity and Training; 12/31 /97- Standby Quik Response truck for the Great New Year's Eve weed burning. 1 /18/98- Community Center tree irrigation with 6x6 tanker and LaFranz pumper. Bauman, Bond, Hall, Hook, Rice. There will be several training sessions and classes offered by San Juan County and State of Utah over the next 3 months. Please make an effort to attend 1 or 2 of these as this type of formal training is invaluable for our ability to protect our community's people and property. This training also counts as we make a bid to get our ISO rating reduced (fire insurance). Let Jim Hook know if you will attend any class so we can coordinate transportation. Frank Morrell says they will reimburse expenses for car pooling. If Simpson's, Hadenfeldt's, DeLorme's or Recapture's vans were available we can handle any# of people. Wlldland Fire Training Blanding- 1/23/98, 6-10 pm & 1/24/98, 8am-5pm (lunch provided) Monticello- 1/30/98, 6-10 pm & 1/31/98, 8am - 5pm (lunch provided) Basic Firefighter Monticello- 2/23-28/98, 6-10pm Mon-Fri All day Saturday Monument Valley- 3/23-28/98, 6-10pm Mon-Fri All day Saturday (The Monument Valley FD basically died when the hospital closed so this is an effort by residents and teachers to get it going again) Bluff Volunteer Fire Department P.O. BOX 309 BLUFF, UT 84512 Mailing Label Weekly Vehicle Startup Assignments Coming Soon! 6X6 TANKER & PUMP DECEMBER 19 TRAINING On Friday, December 19, Melvin Gaines gave instruction and practice in use of the 6x6 tanker and new pump. This is a newer, more powerful diesel military truck. It runs great but yow do need to know how to start it. It is also very long so be .sure to have a spotter before you try to put it back in the fire bay. Attendees: Denny Bellson, Mark Bond, Bill Davis, Melvin Gaines, Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Clay Hamilton, Jeremy Harrison, Ken Lytle, Joe Pachak, Tom Rice, Amer Tumeh . 1 BASIC FIREFIGHTER TRAINING! attend: See Jim for carpooling! plan to MONTHl Y Fl-RE- REPORT There were no fires reported in the last month. The trucks were taken out by volunteers 2 times for controled burns. Believe it or not the Cottonwood Drunk Fire let out a little smokeagain just days before this last rain. If you go to iook at it beware of stepping into burned out holes. WISH LIST STATUS Melvin Gaines gave me a pager which is in Monticello getting set up for the Recapture Dispatcher right now. Frank Morren, the-county fire marshal, says there are 2 more pagers in the BVFD. Lf you have a county fire pager, _Jlease tum it in to Jim Hook. It will not work with the crystals that are currently in it. Rick Baitey sent me a note about a vehicle extraction tool. The county is willing to help fund and also find additional funding to purchase a tool for the Quik Response Truck and wants to see us with a tool compatible with others in the county. We will use this to help the ambulance crew at auto accidents. January Ttat·nfng Denny Bellson, Jeremy Harrison .. Ken Lytfe,Tom Rice, & Larry Sanford attendedthe 2nd half of the-WHcHafld--Fi-Fe-H'atRiAg-iA--Jaooary. . HELP WANTED! We need someone or two to wlre the flashlights into the trucks! FINANCE REPORT cc.aunt balance: $98.07. See Jackie Warren for details. PROJECTS UNDER WAY L .Amer TumehCOUNTY MAP.. 2. l.ytle_/Rice/Bellson BENCH. Its drawn-, wood is here, needs built. 3-. INFO CARDSKen Lytle FIRE CHIEFS MEETING: 2/17/98 Monticelio- 7:00pm FIRE RESUMES : I have received 10 volunteer resumes. Please fill yours out and give to the Recapture Dispatch ASAP! Pick up another one if the dog ate yours. Wlldland Flr-e- Part 1 Everyone is welcome to a above. Recapture Lodge lobby; 2/20 6-1 0pm and 2/21 8am to finish. Presented by Frank Morrell. December framing Hours: 83 total January Training Hours: 56 total Bluff Volunteer Fire Department P.O. Box 309 Bluff, UT 84512 KATHY CARSON P.O . BOX97 BLUFF, UT 84512 Basic Firefighter Tactics Training Monticello February 23 thru 28, 1998 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Weeknights 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday at the Fire Station Monume nt Valley March 23 thru ·28, 1998 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Weeknights 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday at the Fire Station Learn everything from saving houses to saving cats and kidsff f Bluff Volunteer.Fire Department .News < March, 1~98 Issue #3 Monthly Fire Report There were no fires reported in the iast month. • BASlC FlREFlGH-TER TAC-TtCS TRAfNtNG t Where.: Monument \l.alle~ \lE=D When:. Mar.c h 23.-2a, 1-998-5 :OO-pm- to-1--{HXl---pr-n-weeK- i'tlg-Ats- • 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday TolsJs_the m.os.t important fire. training_ ~au will a\lfil getachanc.e.. ta_ [e.c.elve.... Tbis_is tbe. k.e.~ tc BeGemiof},area l functioning...department ..Wa -need max~mum tumout f-0r this week tong-class. We will caroool from the fire station but Check lt Ottt! * One -of the -gear bench/st-orage urnts 1s complete and teady tor use.__ lf ~au keep your turnouts at the stationplease.pu ts.ome kind of name.tag. in.y.our pile,_gather y.our stuff aru:l9'et it -htlfl§--tlJ} ifl--a spat-. VFO--mooey bought the. materials and Ken & T-om drew the plan anct assembly. Thaol<s Ken and Tom! ~The--eotlfl-ty. road map_.has. been-framed and mountect an<t ts waiting-for- apfastie ff6flt-and someone to hang_ it. When comglete and installed this map wUI dire.ct every_ooe to the fire. Tile. first person_ to. the building. will circla the_ locatioo-so..later arrMAg...people. know wherato follow. Amer provided the material and labor.. Thanks Amer! OTHER PROJECTS !Please Come! I will need to know ASAP who is committed to go. Of course there are lots of things for everybody to do in this department, but we need a real core of ready to go firefighters and it may be several years before the State Fire Academy will be in our area to present the course again. HE KEY TO THE FIRE STATION IS AT RECAPTURE LODGE. BORROW THE KEY, BECOME FAMILIAR WITH YOUR STATION! *Resumes As part of our effort to inventory our resources so we can be the most effective, I have asked for all volunteers to submit a resume of experience, training, and the special skills they can offer the VFD. As it turns out this is important to more than just me. The county is asking for drivers license checks, information for insurance policies, etc, etc and all this will also be very important when we try to get our risk factor reduced. They will want to see paperwork. Every one of us is important to this work. The person on the end of the hose is no more important than the one keeping the pump running or the one who answered the phone and dispatched the truck or the one who made sure the tools were cleaned up after the last fire or the one who fills out the reports and billing when it is all over. These are our human resources. If you have not turned in your resume expect volunteer Lisa Stanley to track you down in the near future. THANKS! 2 LAST MONTH'S TRAINING WILDLAND FIRE TRAINING On February 20 and 21 County Fire Warden Frank Morre! and assistant Dennis Meyer gave a crash fire course in Bluff. Thirteen Bluff volunteers attended the 2 days of training. We had 5 members finishing off the required 2 weekends of training and they all passed the test and will be receiving certificates of completion soon. The only thing remaining for them to complete is the physical testing which will be done later for those who want to be red carded. For a person to be hired to work on a big Federal fire they must have a red card certifying what training they have received and if they are physically fit for this back breaking of all work. Congratulations: Denny Bellson, Mark Bond, Jeremy Harrison, Tom Rice, and Larry Sanford. Thanks for the time you put into this. UPCOMING EVENTS & TRAINING MAY 1 & 2- Hazardous Material Awareness Friday 5-9pm, Saturday 8-12 Montezuma Creek VFD May 22 & 23- Flashovf Tra nir g. Montezuma Creek VFD LOOKING FOR: We are looking for the 4th new rechargeable flashlight that we received from the County Emergency Services last spring. Ser. #192840 DRY BARREL Figure 9.2 2b A typ,c al d barrel hyd ; an1 1 Bluff Uolunteer Fire Department P.O. BoH 309 Bluff, UT 84512 KA THY CARSON P.O. BOX97 BLUFF, UT 84512 fQ lv I, v BLUFF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT ( NOTICE OF MEETING THERE WILL BE A TRAINING MEETING AT THE BLUFF FIRE STATION ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1998, 1500HR (3:00 pm till 5:00 pm). Bring full turnouts, all of the gear you have. We will be using engines and charged hoses. Any rubber boots will do if you do not have fire boots. The station siren will be sounded at 1455 hr (2:55 pm as part of this meeting, DON"T PANIC!) TOPICS OF DISCUSSION; Fund Raising Future Training Fire Prevention Week SEE YOU THEN! NEXT MEETING- FRIDAY, AUGUST 21. 1998, 1500HRS BLUFF VFD P.O. BOX 309 BLUFF, UT 84512 KATHY CARSON P.O. BOX 97 BLUFF, UT 84512 Firefighters: M. Gaines, Hook, Inscore, Pachak, Pierson, Sanford. Returned to station 1645 hrs. June 30, 1998. False Alarm. 1730 hrs. Fire reported by phone to be in Butler Wash off Hwy 163 east of Comb Ridge. Dispatched from phone tree and sounded siren alarm. Dispatched Brush Truck to scene, no fire, smoke was from White Mesa grass fire. Dispatcher: Warren. Firefighters: K Bauman, M Bond, S Desonia, M Gaines, V Hadenfeldt, C Hamilton, J Harrison, J Hook, D Inscore, J Pachak, T Rice, C Simpson, R Lippman. July 2, 1998. Standby. 1410 hrs. Fire Marshal requested BVFD dispatch Brush Truck and Tender to footbridge to standby while Sheriff' s deputies try to bum the river bottom in search for fugitives. Dispatched Brush Truck+ V Hadenfeldt, T Rice, D Bellson lo bridge. Standby at station Tender+ M Bond, C Hamilton, M Meloy. 7 other firefighters responded to siren and stood by at home. Deputies used our case of fussee to light fires. Everything under control and no suppression needed. Released at 2100 hrs. July 18, 1998. Brushfire. (#BH015) 1845 hrs. SO reported 911 call of fire at bridge Hwy 191 west of Sand Island. Dispatched Brush Truck to size up, fire about .1 acre on side of road south of the river 1/4 mile on west side of the road Mile Post 20 (Navajo Reservation). Witness Winifred Begay said a hitchhiker had set the fire and then caught a ride south. Fire was spreading quickly so called Tender also. Dispatcher: Angela Brenner. Firefighters: M Bond, J Hook, G Lichtenstein, T Rice, L Sanford. Returned to station 1945 hrs. July 19, 1998. Assist Hovenweep Wildfire. 1700 hrs. SO requested Blush Truck+ 2 to assist on a quickly expanding fire near Hovenweep National Monument. The fire eventually reached 3000 acres and involved interagency fire management, smoke jumpers and several air tanker drops of retardant. Several Navajo homes were evacuated for a short time. Dispatched Brush Truck. Firefighters: G Lichtenstein, T Rice. Bluff Volunteers released from fire 0300 hrs 7/20/98. Truck broke down 8 miles east of Bluff. K Lytle met the Blanding Road Shed tow truck at 0900 to assist. Truck was out of gas, the gas gauge is not working. Also had a stick through the side wall and flat tire (repaired free at Turquoise Service). July 24, 1998. Vehicle Maintenance. 2 flat tires on 6x6 Tender. No brakes on truck. Repaired at Blanding Road Shed. M Gaines, J Hook. ( l I I I May 23, 1998. Vehicle Accident. Passerby reported a tipped over pickup with load of hay at Comb Ridge, Hwy 191. Dispatched Quik Response. Vehicle gone. Utah Highway Patrol requested a wash off of straw from highway. Volunteers: Hook, Inscore. May 26, 1998. Wildland Fire. (#BH0ll- WHITE MESA 4, SJC#F810). 2330 hrs. Dispatched by SJSO to assist Blanding FD and Montezuma Creek VFD at grass fire near Wnite Mesa Village. T38S R22E section 23. Fire out at 0200 hrs 5/27. Dispatcher: L. Hook. Dispatched Quik Response & Tender. Dispatched Volunteers: 6. Standby at station: 12. (12 hrs training). Bluff Cost: $283 .60. May 31 , 1998. Structure Fire. (#BH012- MUSTACHE RESIDENCE FIRE). 1830 hrs. Skip Meier came to Recapture to report smoke on the mesa south of Bluff. Telephone tree initiated and Tender dispatched while Quik Response drove to top of Cow Canyon to locate fire. Binoculars revealed a structure in flames near Gray Point. The fire was 20.5 miles by road from the station on CR 483, Navajo Reservation. T41S R22E section 7. A mobile home was nearly gone when VFD arrived. This may have been an arson fire. A deputy from Kayenta was dispatched by S.O. to investigate. 2000 gallons of water were used on the fire and it was nearly out at 2015 hrs. Tender returned to Bluff at that time, POV stayed at Hwy 191 to direct Officer from Kayenta, Quik Response remained until the officer arrived. Depart to Bluff at 2130 hrs. Dispatcher: Warren. Dispatched Quik Response, Tender, 1 POV. IC: Hook (Chief). EMT/Safety Officer: R. Sampson. Volunteers: Bellson, M. Bond, B. Gaines, M. Gaines (Asst. Chief), Lichtenstein, Meloy, Pachak, Tumeh. Damage- Total Loss. June 6 & 7, 1998. STANDBY. The Bluff VFD was put on 24 hour active duty by the Bluff Coll1llland Post to provide 2 minute response to the helipad at the Jones Farm. Bout 15 helicopters operated from the area for 3 days during the manhunt. The station was manned by a full crew with 4-8 hour shifts until the helicopter activity terminated. Class B foam was borrowed from Blanding FD and Montezuma Creek VFD and all hands trained on foam use. Montezuma Creek VFD stationed a Quik Response Truck and crew with extraction tools at the Bluff station also. Bluff firefighters: Bellson, Davis, Hadenfeldt, Hook, Inscore, Lichtenstein, Rice, Sanford, Till, Tumeh. (56 hours training) June 7, 1998. Plane Incident. 1600hours. Dispatched by Bluff Coll1llland Post to a possible fuel spill and el problem at the Bluff Airport. Dispatched Quik Response & Tender. It was actually a small plane that had landed, the pilot had smelled electrical smoke which turned out to be the brakes. 6 volunteers were dispatched. Returned to station at 1700 hrs. June 8, 1998. Wildland Fire. (#BH013- MELON FIRE). 1530 hrs. Mark Bond came in to Recapture to report a fire out of control 2 miles up Cottonwood Wash on Guymon Ranch property north of Bluff. Activated Siren and phone tree. Approximately 3 acres of greasewood and tumbleweeds were burning. Hand lines were dug around fire to contain it and prevent it from spreading into the thick tamarisk along Cottonwood Creek, water and Class A foam were used to extinguish the fire. Three loads of water were hauled to the fire in the Tender. There were moderate winds up canyon and the fire had escaped from Kevin Guymon on a land clearing fire. No bum permit had been obtained. The fire was out at 1715 hours. Dispatcher: Warren. Dispatched Quik Response, Tender, 2 POV. Firefighters: Bauman, Bellson, M. Bond, Davis, Hadenfeldt, Harrison, Hook, Inscore, Lichtenstein, Lytle, Meloy, Pachak, Pierson, Rice, Sanford, Simpson, Tumeh. A verbal warning was given by the Chief and a promise of watermelons for the VFD was given by Mr. Guymon. A money donation will also be accepted. June 9, 1998, Car Fire. (#BH014- MILE POST 15) 1800 hrs. Dispatched by SJSO to a car on fire at mile post 15 on Hwy 191 south of Bluff. The fire was extinguished with Class B foam and water. Firefighters at the foam unit were in full SCBA turnouts. Evidently the owner of the car had worked on it that day and there was a small fuel leak which ignited. There were no injuries. Dispatcher Warren. Dispatched Quik Response, Tender, and 1 POV. EMT & Bluff Ambulance: Carson+ 2, PA Desonia. Firefighters: Bauman, M. Bond, B. Gaines, Hadenfeldt, Lichtenstein, Lytle. Standby at station: Hook, Inscore. June 9, 1998. False Alarm. 1630 hrs. Kathy Inscore called Recapture to report the smell of strong smoke at Coral Sands Trailer Park. It was a large BBQ fire near a trailer. Dispatcher: Warren. Dispatched Lafrance Engine. I I I I BLUFF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTICE OF MEETING THERE WILL BE A TRAINING MEETING AT THE BLUFF FIRE STATION ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1998, 1500HR (3:00 pm till 5:00 pm). Bring full turnouts, all of the gear you have. We will be using engines and charged hoses. Any rubber boots will do if you do not have fire boots. The station siren will be sounded at 1455 hr (2:55 pm as part of this meeting, DON"T PANIC!) TOPICS OF DISCUSSION; Fund Raising Future Training Fire Prevention Week SEE YOU THEN! NEXT MEETING- FRIDAY, AUGUST 21. 1998, 1500HRS A!!& J Pf1 1998 BLUFF VFD P.O. BOX 309 BLUFF, UT 84512 KATHY CARSON P.O. BO X 97 BLUFF, UT 84512 "This is the Bluff Fire Dispatch, this is a fire emergency ....... ." April 9, 1998 When you answer the phone and hear this message, you respond. No thought is _given to past grievances or differences of opinion. Lives might be at risk, property is in danger, your neighbors need help. It has been said that a common enemy brings a people together and our VFD is proof that that is true. I overheard someone the other day say how gung-ho the fire department was becoming. I think it was meant to be derogatory but I took it as a compliment. Yes, we are trying to organize, to train, to plan, all so that we will be able to help when the call comes, decisively, effectively and keeping ourselves from getting hurt in the process. We are all committed to that. This letter is a call for help. As I have mentioned before, Bluff has a very poor rating with the ISO, a group that inspects and rates fire fighting abilities for communities. Insurance companies use this rating to determine rates for fire insurance policies within that community. One of my goals has been to get ourselves in shape and then ask for a new inspection and hopefully a better rating. I thought that we would be ready sometime next fall. However, just like real fire emergencies, the ISO isn't going to wait until we think we are ready to respond. I got word 2 days ago that we will be inspected, regardless of readiness, on April 16 at 9 :00 am, one week from today! Yesterday I received the list of requirements and it made my head hurt. I can't get it all together by myself, the same as I can't put out a house fire by myself. If there is something I know you can do I will get in touch with you this week. Expect that. And a main thing is the resume with your experience, great or small, it all needs to be in our records. Another is our organization. After a lot of thought and quite a bit of talking I offer the following chain of command: CHIEF Jim Hook CHIEF ENGINEER Melvin Gaines · CAPTAIN Bill Davis CAPTAIN Craig Simpson TRAINING OFFICERS Vaughn Hadenfeldt David Inscore As we progress, everyone else will be assigned specific responsibilities and tasks but of course has to know everything else too. You know as well as I do that the day there is a big fire in town, no matter how we organize, there will only be 3 people here to respond and you could find yourself as the Incident Commander. That is reality in Bluff. So, now you know the need. Let's get to work!! Bluff Volunteer Fire Department ( Jim Hook- Fire Chief P.O. Box 309 - Highway 191 Bluff, UT 84512 Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] Dear Bluff Resident, The Bluff Volunteer Fire Department was inspected this last spring by a private company called Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO). This company publishes a list of communities with their fire protection abilities which is used by various insurance companies to set rates for fire insurance policies. Most communities are inspected once every ten years. At the end of the inspection the ISO assigns a Protection Class number with "1 O" being the very poorest protection and "1 " being the very best. This letter is to inform you that, as of 1 August, 1998, Bluff has been assigned a Protection Class 6 rating. This is an improvement of 3 points over the previous rating of Class 9 and we understand that most insurance companies may offer substantially reduced rates for your fire insurance. The amount will of course depend upon other factors unique to your property, but we have been advised that it is sometimes necessary for policy holders to contact their insurance company directly to inform them of this new rating and to determine how this might affect their rates. Water system improvements by the Bluff Water Works committee and Service Area #1, new fire fighting equipment provided by San Juan County, and increased training and participation by Bluff Volunteer Firefighters have all helped us gain this new rating. Please support your Volunteer Fire Department, we are here to serve and protect. If you have questions about this letter or need further assistance please feel free to call. Sinc:rel~ f~ ~~r-Im Hook- Chief Bluff Volunteer F~re Department ( NOVEMBER 1998 NEWSLETTER Last Month September 25-26, 1998. Training, 12 hours total. Pezeshki, Bellson, Harrison, M Bond, Hook, Meloy, Sanford, Davis. Pump training and overhaul, presented by Utah Fire Academy. Did a bunch of repair on the American Lafrance Engine pump. (96 hrs) Certificates have been received and are in your file. October 2, 1998. Fund Raising. Community center chili dinner. $256.00 received earned from $120.00 business donation of food. October 5, 1998. Public Relations. 1 hour. M Gaines gave tour of the station and equipment to preschoolers. October 7, 1998. FIRE DRILL. 1000-1100 hours. Elementary school called in a 911 fire report. Siren and pagers activated by 911 operator. Kids out of building in3-minutes, FD oo scene in 8minutes, Demonstrated SCBA, pumps, protective clothing. Dispatched 3 fire apparatus and ambulance. Discovered propane fence and electric panel are locked, we don't have equipment to get into them. Need bolt cutters and large crescent oi: pipe wrench, MBond,. Hamilton, Harrison, Hook, Inscore, Lichtenstein, Lytle, Meloy, Pachak. EMT Reed Sampson. (18 hrs) October 7, 1998. TRAINING. 1000-1500 hOUl's. Denny Bellson attended U-aining in Montezuma Creek on-Jaws_of_ Life tool and vehicle extraction. (5 hrs) ( October 9, 1998. Structure Fire #BH0 16. Charlotte Grey house fi-re 0400 hrs. Received page and fire siren sounded. by 911 operator to respond to structure fire at 180 E. Main. Dispatched all 3 fire trucks. Ambulance and 2 EMT (Sampson & Carson) also responded. Ashes from the stove had been placed outside the front door in a cardboard box at midnight. 2 women and 2 children were asleep in the trailer. Charlotte woke to see light from flames at front door. The door jam and 3 or 4 rafters and roofing were on fire. They attempted to carry water in pans to extinguish-it and then called 911 from the K&C puffin. We were on scene in 5 minutes from siren page. There was heavy smoke in the whole neighborhood and some confusion as to what was on fire. Smoking wood was removed from the roof and door and water was applied from brush truck pump. A search of the building was performed with SCBA. The LaFrance was hooked to a hydrant and lines charged for backup. The second woman strained her back in a fall while.. carrying water before FD arrived. Bellson, Stanley, M Bond, Davis (captain), Desonia, M Gaines, Hall, Hamilton, Harrison, Hook (chief),. Inscore, Lichtenstein, Rice, Sanford, Simpson (captain)-, Tumeh, Warren. Back in service at. 0530 hours. October, 1998. EQUIPMENT. Rick Bailey delivered a new Jaws of Life tool, ram, hydraulic pump and2 halogen. work lights for the FD brush truck. October 23, 1998. TRAINING. 2 hours. Hoses, lays and carries. Watched 2 videos from fire academy, reviewed tools on trucks and checked out all vehicles and pump engines. Siren was not working, found burned wires at old wiring outside firehouse. Meloy and.Iuscorerewired it Hook, Inscore, Meloy. (6hrs). October, 1998. HYDRANT TEST. 2 hours. Volunteers did biannual fire hydrant test. Harrison, Inscore, Pearson, Viktora, Lipman. (10 hours). STILL NEED TO DOl-This is unfinished stuff from the October work. See last newsletter. Craig Simpson group do assigned hydrant inspection. Map hung on the north wall. The second gear rack finished & in place. The grant info ready for use. The business fund raiser letters. November Newsletter- Page II , PLEASE PASS THE PAGER! Last month we started a rotation of the 6 pagers we have in the department and for the most part the first month was successful. The plan simply is for each person to babysit a pager for 2 weeks and then pass it to the next person in their group. Keep it with you all of the time. I have been sending out reminders when it is time to rotate. Please do not bring it to me to pass on or if you are going to be out of town, I just can't keep track of it and don't want to put more time into it. You need to share some of the responsibility. I think we will be doing really well if 3 out of the 6 pagers are in town when a fire call comes, and that is 3 on their way. The siren will sound for 40 seconds simultaneously and the Lodge dispatch will call through the telephone list like we have always done. If you get a Reminder in the mail but do not have anything to rotate let me know asap. NEW STUFF! I have just received a note from Rick Bailey with a list of equipment that we can expect to receive from the county after the first of the year. It will blow you away! Nearly $14,000 worth of gear from bolt cutters and radios to drip torches , hydrant valves and boots. When we put out we will be noticed and encouraged. We have a new radio for the 6x6 and the sheriff has promised a used one for the Lafrance engine. Beginning this month everyone will be receiving a Newsletter from the Fire and Rescue Academy at no charge to the department. I have also tapped into their library for training films, etc. Consider the certification article. UPCOMING TRAINING! Small Plane Crash Rescue- Friday, November 20, 5:30-10:00 pm and Saturday, November 21, 8:00am5:00 pm, at the Blanding Fire Department, 50 West 100 South, Blanding, ur 84511. This is another course taught by the Fire and Rescue Academy and will be very helpful as we learn how to use the Jaws tools we have and should apply to many aspects of rescue and fire fighting. RSVP Please tell Jackie (672-2281) or Blanding Fire-Chief Hawkins (678-2003) if you will be going. NOTE- MANY OF YOU HA VE DONE VERY LITTLE TRAINING THIS YEAR. WE WILL BE DOING AN AUDIT OF TRAINING HOURS IN JANUARY. PLEASE GIVE ME SOMETIIlNG TO PUT IN YOUR FILE. YOU NEED TO KNOW! The small truck is now covered for winter and must have the heater turned on. Uncover it carefully before you head out and cover it back when you are done. ALWAYS tum the radio off, it runs the battery down. When you flow a hydrant put a hose on it to prevent erosion and damage to.landscaping. We are getting complaints! HA VE A GOOD THANKSGIVING! Bluff Volunteer Fire Department P.O. Box 309 Bluff, UT 84512 KATHY CARSON P.O. BOX97 BLUFF, UT 84512 ( Bluff Volunteer Fire Department News SPRING, 1999 Issue #8 Last Month Training Jan. 22- Utah Fire Code- Monticello (Hook) Jan. 29- BVFD Meeting/ Hydrant Use and Care (Bluff Water Works) Jan./Feb. Fire Log 7 Fire Essentials & 4 Live Fire Props (Utah Fire Academy) First Aid & CPR (EMTs) March 4 & 11 THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED ANY AND ALL OF THIS VALUABLE TRAINING! Feb. 11-27 FIRE DANGER IS VERY HIGH IN BLUFF NOW. NO RAIN, HIGH WINDS. BURN W/ CAUTION! 1998 Activity Summary Structure FiresWildland FiresVehicle IncidentsFalse AlarmsFire DrillOther (fugitive)- 4 8 2 6 1 2 - DELORME SJC FIRE #F901 2/19/99 TREE, 1515 hrs. CHILD WITH MATCHES. Mrs. Delorme called the Lodge office to report fire. 4 year old was playing outside with matches which ignited short dry grass near the hogan. Fire spread to an ornamental scotch pine. The 15 foot tree ignited, this about 15 feet from the DeLorme home. The fire was quickly extinguished with water from garden hose. Quick response truck, 6x6 tender. J. Harrison, D. Inscore, G. Lichtenstein, T. Rice, M. Bond, M. Meloy, J. Pachak, J. Sayers, Hook. In service 1545. 2/22/99 SJC FIRE #F902- JANET YANITO, 1800 hrs. GREASEWOOD, CHILD WITH FIRE ST ARTER. Dispatched by S.O. page & siren. 2 children were playing with a fire striker in the yard in front of their mobile home, burning paper spread fire through cheat grass to a large greasewood shrub and ignited it. It was about 20 feet from their home. The parents were not home. The children were questioned by Deputy Taylor. The fire was quickly extinguished with dirt & water. Quick response truck, 6x6 tender. M. Bond, C. Hamilton, P. Hall, J. Harrison, C. Simpson, M. Gaines, L. Sanford, V. Hadenfeldt, Hook. In service 1830 hrs. 2/23/99 SJC FIRE #F903- CADILLAC RANCH REFUSE. 1100 hrs. A refuse fire flared in light wind and sent up large amount of smoke in the open area south of the campsites. It was attended by 1 man with a shovel, no water was on the scene. It was 30 feet from heavily wooded and brushy river bottom land which would threaten 3 houses if the fire spread. The fire was allowed to burn after the employee was informed of the fire danger and advised to have a hose at hand. Quick response truck, 6x6 tender, Lafrance pumper. 8. Davis, M. Gaines, V. Hadenfeldt, C. Simpson, K. Lytle, J. Harrison, P. Hall, D. Bellson, C. Hamilton, J. Pachak, L. Sanford, Hook. In service 1130 hrs. COMING! FIREFIGHTERS CHILI COOKOFF! 2nd WEEK OCTOBER FIRE PREVENTION WEEK Have any ideas for a spring fun? 1 2 1999 TRAINING SCHEDUL E Training Officers: Vaughn Hadenfeldt Tom Rice Last Friday of the Month, Chief- Jim Hook Asst. Chief- Larry Sanford Captains- Bill Davis, Craig Simpson Training Officers- V. Hadenfeldt, Tom Rice Chief Engineer- Melvin Gaines SCBA Program- Gary Lichtenstein Time 3:00 pm March 26- Wildfire, Fold-a-Tank, Pumps (T. Rice) March 31- Vehicle Extraction- Jaws of Life (Hurst Tool Company) (J. Hook) April 30- Forceab!e Entry & Foam Application (J. Hook) May 28- Emergency Vehicle Driving Required for all operators (V. Hadenfeldt) . ,.J / ~I(~ June 25- SCBA (V. Hadenfeldt) \ ' BLUFF VFD Mat1< Bond is PATCH DESIGN- working on a Bluff Patch~ JJ,' ~ ~ ~-~\9.( Roof Ventilation & Fans (T. Rice) / W--(0 August 27- ~ adios, Communication, Hazmat (J . Hook) "77 ,I Sept. 24- j Fire Preplanning (T. Rice) Oct. 29- Remedial (J . Hook) Nov. 26- Ropes & Ladders (V. Hadenfeldt) COUNTY EQUIPMENT RECEIVED 1/22/99 Approximately $15,000- Valves, Tools, Turnouts. Now contribute your share, CATCH UP ON YOUR TRAINING! 1998 Financial Gifts ReceivedTotal OutflowsTotal Gains $1069.86 $ 547.49 $ 522.37 Checking Balance $ 827.25 - as of 12/31 /98 see Chief for detailed report Bluff Volunteer Fire Department P.O. Box 309 Bluff, UT 84512 I 1999 ~ KATHY CARSON P.O. BOX97 BLUFF, UT 84512 84512 ) t-Class Rate Bluff Volunteer Fire Department News Issue# 9 Su MM er Ira in in.9 2/23/22· TRAINING. P. Hall, Hook. 6x6 Tender driving check, pumps and hoses. Watered the community center trees. 4/6/99· TRAINING. 2 hrs. Hurst tool company representative gave training on the new tools we have received. A junk car was donated by Bluff Motors. Rice, Bond, Hadenfeldt, Pearson, Sanford, Simpson, Harrison, Dilego, Hook, Bellson, Pezeshki. 4/8/99- TRAINING. 2 hrs. Lafrance Engine familiarization and refresher. M. Bond, V. Hadenfeldt, C. Hamilton, D. Bellson. 6/15/99- TRAINING. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PLAN. Utah Fire Academy, Steve Johnson. Monument Valley and Montezuma Creek also came. Meloy, Desonia, Hook, Lichtenstein. Also attending from Monument Valley- Paul Parrish, Laverne Juan. From Montezuma Creek- Casey Leboy, Verissa Lee. From Cedar Point- Zeke Raby. From SJ County- Dennis Mayer. 2 hrs. 7/8/99- PAGER TEST. 1700hrs. accidental pager/siren test by Jaws of Lite Training April 6, 1999 radio repair man. Hook, Sanford, Melvin, Hadenfeldt, Hamilton, Desonia, Simpson, Pachak, Johnson, EMT Sampson. 8/6/99- TRAINING 1500 hrs to 1900hrs. Ventilation and ladders. Tom Rice and Fire Academy films. Practiced with SCBA taking charged hose, radio, fire tools up ladder to roof of the fire station to simulate a ventilation opening. Lafrance truck. M. Bond, T. Rice, J. Hook, D. Dilego, K. Carson, L. Sanford, M. Sewell. 4 hours x 7 volunteers. 28 hours training. 8/20,21/99- TRAINING. Utah Fire Academy, Orem. J. Hook attended a 2 day course at summer fire school on the new Fire ~eporting System UHRS-5. This was paid for by San Juan County 1d makes Bluff VFD eligible for various grants. No other department in San Juan County is currently sending in these reports although most will start filing them this year. Fall, 1999 Su MM er Fire Log 3/12/99 SJC FIRE #F908-TODA, 1630 hrs. Dispatched by Sheriffs office to a brushfire along Hwy 191 near the Todahadakani Headstart School, about mile post 13. A long stretch of tumble weeds against the right of way fence had been set fire to and abandoned. It was extinguished with water from the Quick Response truck. Quick Response truck, 6x Tender. M. Bond, V. Hadenfeldt, D. Inscore, T. Rice, J. Hook, P Hall, D Bellson, M Pearson, J Warren. In service 1745 hrs. S/1/99- STRUCTURE FIRE BH16.ANEfHCOMMUNITY. 1509hrs paged by SO to backup Montezuma Creek VFD as only 2 volunteers were responding. This was a fire that started in a bedroom from an electrical short in some stereo system. The fire was out when we arrived but helped cold trail it and do salvage. 3 Montezuma Creek firefighters were on scene with 2 engines. From Bluff- quick response truck and 1 POV (Simpson). Rice, Simpson, Hook, Pezeshki, Sanford. In service 1630hrs. S/7/99- GRASS FIRE BHl 7. Bluff, south of Post Office. 1515hrs. Jesse Sosa called Recapture to report fire burning along road. An electrical wire overhead had shorted against a cottonwood branch and dropped molten aluminum into \fie grass. 2 small sheds were immediately threatened. 3 small spot fires were extinguished with water. Quick response, 6x6 tender. Bellson, Bond, Rice, M Gaines, Simpson, Davis, Hook.In service 1600hrs. S/18/99- DUMPSTER FIRE AT SAND ISLAND BH18. 0220 hrs. SO called Recapture, reported by deputy Taylor. lea 1 1/2 line and 200 gallons of water. 6x6 tender. Hook, Sanford. In service 0330hrs. 7/9/99- MCCRACKEN RANGE FIRE 500 ACRES. Rice, Dilego, Hadenfeldt. Quick response. Standby Hook, Sanford, Desonia, Lichtenstein. 7/17/99- VEHICLE FIRE BH20. Comb Wash at hwy 163. Quick response, 6x6 tender. Bond, M Gaines, Rice, Lytle, Hook, Dilego, Pachak, Sanford, Bauman. Ambulance- Kathy & Christy Carson. 08/29/99- FIRE 091 0hrs. INCIDENT #22. SO page & siren. Mark Royce trailer at Roy Pearson. Propane valve in kitchen stove broke during cleaning and escaping gas was ignited by the pilot. This was called in on 911. Resident turned off the propane tank. No damage. Quick response and Engine. M Bond, B Davis, M Gaines, V Hadenfeldt, D Inscore, T Rice, J Hook, D Bellson, C Hamilton, J Pachak, J Warren, M Pearson, L Sanford, M Sewell, EMf Reed Sampson. In service 0930 hrs. 8/18/99- VEHICLE EXTRACTION. INCIDENT 123. 1845 hrs. Passerby reported to Recapture that there was a 2 car collision & rollover at Butler Wash on Highway 163. Recapture Dispatch called sheriff office 911 and SO sounded the siren and pagers. Found 1 man trapped behind the steering wheel in a small van. When the Jaws tool was finally started the drivers door was quickly opened and we helped EMfs remove the victim from the car. 6 total patients. Quik Response I, Quik Response II. M. Bond, Melvin & Betty Gaines, V. Hadenfeldt, G. Lichtenstein, T. Rice, J. Hook, K. Bauman, J. Warren. Bluff Ambulance- Carson and Sampson. Also Blanding Amhulance and a Rescue Tmck resnonrlerl. TN SF.RVTC:F. 2020 hrs. 2 Wo r(( Pro...iect It Grant $$$$$$$ A GOOD OLD FASHIONED FLOOR POURINGI SEPT. 24 WE NEED YOUR HELPFRIDAY, 9/24/99 Thanks to some brilliant grant writing last spring by Gary Lichtenstein, the BVFD was approved to receive $3500 from the State Forest Service and Utah Fire Academy to be matched with $3500 from San Juan County Emergency Services and BVFD sweat. This money will be used to upgrade our department response and training, specifically for: *NEW DOORS IN THE OLD FIRE BA VS AND ELECTRIC OPENERS for ALL DOORS! *NEW HEATER & INSULATION FOR OLD STATION! *GENERATOR FOR OUR LIGHTS! *TVNCR AND OVERHEAD PROJECTOR! Also, San Juan County will buy the concrete if we provide the labor to pour a floor in the old fire station. Denny Beflson is organizing the pour and he needs help. We will all be pouring a floor at the fire station this coming Friday afternoon. We need labor, Be There! BLUFF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT P.O. Box 316 BLUFF, Uf 84512 Goodbye- Philip Pezeshki & Jeremy Harrison Resigned- Amer Tumeh Hello- Derek Haskew & Marty Sewell The Mexican Hat VFD has disbanded so we are the first response station for a fire there. We have their Quik Response truck in Bluff to help us get there. Income- $285 for Reservation fires! I ~ ;I'I . - KATHY CARSON EMT/ FIREFIGHTER P.O. BOX97 BLUFF, UT 84512 84512 u First· Bluff Volunteer Fire Department News Issue #10 Emergency Vehicle Driving Course Utah Valley State College is sending an instructor to Montezuma Creek to present the basic emergency driving class to EMTs and Fire Fighters on December 11 & 12, 1999. The county is requiring this for all drivers and this is a good time to get it done. Meet at Montezuma VFD on Saturday and Sunday at 0800 hrs 1700 hrs. We need to know if you will attendCall Recapture (672-2281) today so that the instructor can plan supplies. Farming ton Daily Times- last week a cop with lights & siren going was hit by a motorcycle as the police unit ran a stop sign. The driver lost a leg ........... Come take the training for Emergency Vehicle Driving- IT COULD SAVE A LIFE!! UTAH FIRE ACADEMY TRAINING/2/10/00 Fire Department Organization 101. This training will address roles of different fire positions, ie hief, captains, safety officers. Lets divide the work! Call Melissa at 435-587-3225 to RSVP for materials. November, 1999 From the County-1) POLICY! Lights & sirens will not be used during training exercises in order to reduce risk to trainees, private citizens & property. 2) The County Commission has approved a rate of $7.50 per hour for County VFD volunteers working outside their 5 mile community boundary. 3)Radio frequencies- VFD communication with the San Juan Dispatcher should be primarily on channel 2 (EMS channel) or channel 4 (Sheriff's Office channel). On scene communication within ourselves should be on channel 11 (SJ Fire). #11 only works unit to unit meaning line of sight for a couple of miles. On it no one else hears our communication. The other channels are heard all over the county. State highway channels should not be used as these have been heard all over the state. BEFORE YOU SPEAK- THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING! 4)Montezuma Creek invites you to their biweekly training sessions for new people on their department. They meet at 7:00 pm and the schedule is: 11 /30/99 -Protective Clothing 12/14/99 -Fire Extinguishers 12/28/99 -Ropes & Knots 01 /11 /00 -Fire Control 01/25/00 -Ladders I 02/15/00 -Ladders 11 This is a good way to "catch up" on training you have never had or missed this year. They will give you a schedule past 2/15/00. 2 Ladders, Ropes & Desert Rose Motel Check out the new doors at the Fire Station. How do you get in? 1) Go in the big building south door, get the key on the red tag by the siren and On Friday, November 19, 1999 at 3:00 pm, we will be training on ropes & ladders. We did a little ladder work last summer, enough to know that we need to formally study the subject! If you have never climbed a ladder in full turnouts and SCBA dragging a charged hose boy have you got a surprise coming! Do it now so the surprise won't be during a structure fire incident. In addition, we will do a practical exercise at the Desert Rose Motel. This is the biggest wooden structure in town and presents some big challenges for the Fire Department. The building is equipped with a sprinkler system that we need to know about and which requires attachment to our engine in order to function most efficiently. We also want to know if we can get on the roof if we need to! BE THERE! • ,, ~-: ' ~ .,., J" • ~ -- -- .. ~ .........._ Attic fire in Farming ton last week also ...... .... How long before it is our turn again? unlock the little bay door. OR use the keyless remote on the siren pole. The code is "2281" then "send" then "1 ". Rearm the remote then "2281" "send" "2 or ' 3". It takes practice. TRY IT!!! BLUFF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT P.O. Box 316 BLUFF, UT 84512 • KATHY CARSON EMT/ FIREFIGHTER PO . BOX97 BLUFF, UT 84512 84512 BLUFF VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT JIM HOOK- CHIEF/ P.O. Box 316 BLUFF, UT 84512 NEWSLETTER UPDATE4/28/09 Saturday. April 29. 5:00-7:00 PM CHILI DINNER- FUND RAISER BVFD will be doing a chili fund raiser at the Nada Bar during the Gourd Show. Nozhoni Bridges has donated all of the food, other folks are going to Pot Luck the side dishes, and Jackie Warren has done all of the chili cooking. We need YOU to come and serve or at least come and make a donation. I will take the Lafrance Engine down for show. No experience necessary, the guy who delivers it will teach us everything we need to know. I just need people who care about little kids and doing something to protect them from burns, scalds, electrocution, and unattended firearms. The Trailer will be set up at Halchita on May 2, Aneth the afternoon of May 3, Montezuma Creek on May 4. We have 25 people listed as volunteers and only 2 who have committed to helping me in Bluff. Please call the Lodge to let me know you will help. Wednesday, May 3. a:00-12:00 am LIFE SAFETY TRAILERFire Safety and Accident Prevention are 2 of our duties we don't think about much. I have arranged for the State Fire Marshall's Office to bring a special FIRE SAFETY training prop down for us to present to the Elementary School. I need 4 -6 volunteers to take kids through it. May 26. 2000. 3:00- 6:00 pm WILDLAND FIRE TRAINING This will be our monthly training program and will be presented in-house by Tom Rice. The weeds are growing and we could have a very active wildfire season. Come to reacquaint with tactics, tools and pumps. Apri I 8 and 9, 2000 VEHICLE EXTRICATIONIf you missed coming over to Bluff Motors Saturday you really missed some great training. Bluff, Blanding and Montezuma Creek participated. 3 volunteers from Shiprock came over and with the incredible help and support of Donnie Sumner and Bluff Motors, we demolished about 8 cars. We basically knew nothing about it until then, but for our final test we removed all glass, 2 doors, the roof and pulled the steering and dash in about 15 minutes. That was the slowest time but I think we were voted Most Improved!! CHANGES COMING!! been reborn with about 7 volunteers so far. I will be their Acting Chief for 1 year until they get on their feet. We are meeting every other Sunday afternoon so they can get up to speed. A "new" truck and Halchita Fire Bay is in the works also. Until then, we are still First Response Fire to that area. * If you have not returned your equipment inventory form to the Lodge, please do so. I would like especially your email addresses (if you have one) so I can save on Fire Department postage when I want to communicate to each of you. Starting with this newsletter I wi II begin adding Bluff businesses to the mailing list. We need your support, both financially and labor wise. We are why your Fire Insurance is half of what it used to be, how about reciprocating a little? Suggestion: Assign an employee as a volunteer or make a yearly donation. Thanks to you who already do this & more! * By August the Ambulance Service will likely cease to be run by the Monticello Hospital and will come under San Juan County Emergency Services. This should be a tremendous advantage for both the Bluff Fire Department and Ambulance Service because we can pool resources / and needs for the advantage of both. One BLUFF VFD of the first changes will be a meeting PO BOX 316 and training room addition to our BLUFF, UT 84512 station, promised in 2001. *Weare expecting a new (as in additional) truck this year! This will be a Tanker("' 3000 gallon tank) which will help us respond to reservation fires with some punch. Also, we may get a "newer" KATHY CARSON EMT/ FIREFIGHTER engine from Monticello as they P.O. BOX97 BLUFF, UT 84512 84512 upgrade.This means a new bay is required and that is promised in 2001 also. * The Halchita/ Mexican Hat FD has APR ,,. 27 33usA ;-i M 2000 Bluff Volunteer Fire Dept. Newsletter ( Summer, 2000 Issue #12 ( Debriefing Old ~ond Fire 6/17 Incident Log We had our first really frightening fire of the summer season on June 17 (see incident log). This fire threatened several structures and if conditions had been what we have seen this summer with high temperatures and strong wind the outcome could have been very costly. I think our response was great! There were no less than five "911 " calls reporting the fire, the first quick response truck rolled within 1 minute of the page and siren alert, all 4 trucks eventually were on scene and pumping. We hooked a hydrant, laid hose with the truck, and pulled our first ever 2 1/2" attack line to a fire (did you see the kick that it had!), 3/4 of our firefighters reported to duty, and as far as I know, no injuries although I did ask several people in tennis shoes to please leave the black area. Things that were lacking were 1) lncjdent Command, who was in charge until I got off the Lafrance? 5/4100. HELICOPTER CRASH. #027. 1611 hr. We were dispatched on Thursday, May 4, 2000 at 1611 hours to a helicopter crash & fire on McCracken Mesa (SLM T40S, R23E, Section 6, SW 1/4 of SE 1/4 at the end of County Road 411). We were at the crash site at 1630 hours. We responded with 5 firefighters and 2 quick response trucks. Upon arrival we found 2 ambulances and several sheriff department vehicles already on scene. The life flight helicopter arrived about 20 minutes later. Montezuma Creek VFD was also on scene. EMTs were working on the survivors so we turned our attention to the helicopter which was still burning a little and smoking a lot. The tail section was still erect but the front of the helicopter was smashed nearly flat to the ground and burning. Most of the debris was within 30 feet of the main body section. We applied water and AFFF foam to put out the fire and cool the wreckage. We were told there were three fatalities in the wreckage. The only sign of the victims visible in the wreckage were 2 leather boots protruding from under some metal. The Incident Commander told us not to try to uncover the bodies so when the wreckage was cool we left the scene. We were in service in Bluff at 1800 hours. (This report sent to insurance company) Quik Response #1 & #2. D. Inscore. L. Sanford, M. Sewell. J. Warren. D. Bellson. V. Hadenfeldt, J. Hook. 2hrs. Fa1alities: Volun1eers 199□ 1c 19ga Wildfire statistics Bumaver 12% "Driving our trucks and overexerting our bodies are the biggest dangers we face. Work carefully'' 2)Commynjcation, we have got to get our radios out and working at the first call, I should have hooked to the hydrant in front of the pottery factory but once the Lafrance drops hose it is pretty much a stationary pump and can't move. 3) Yehjcle problems. The Tender had a bad battery and not much for brakes. I am not having much luck in getting repairs done at the county shop but other departments are having the same problem. Regardless of the "should have done's" we did great! The quick response trucks did just that, got in there and held the line until the big guns came up. We cut off the fire's fuel with water and hand line from all sides. The Gaines' did what needed to be done to get the ender started and to the scene. Congratulations Firefighters! 5/5/00. FALSE ALARM. #028. 2235 hrs. Received (911) pageout from S.O. to respond to a fire at 790 W. Main. This is the Comb Ridge Trading Post. A bonfire was in progress and a dozen partiers wondered what the excitement was about. VFD still jumpy from the helicopter fatalities. ,Quik Response #1 and #2. Lafrance Engine. M. Gaines, D. Inscore, C. Simpson, K. Carson, J. Warren, M. Bond, M. Meloy, G. Lichtenstein, D. Bellson, V. Hadenfeldt, J. Hook, K. Bauman. D. Haskew. 1/2 hour. 5/26/00. MOTORCYCLE/CAR ACCIDENT. #029. 1400 hrs. Co. Rd. 8447 and Hwy 163 at Halchita. We were dispatched to assist Mexican Hau Halchita VFD for vehicle fire. A rented Harley Davidson Cycle driven by a Finlandian male broad sided a local car that turned in front of him, the motorcycle exploded and burned, killing the driver. There were 4 people injured in the car. The Halchita VFD had put the fire out but the tires were smoking and reignited while we were there so we put the fire out with water. Quik Response #1 and #2. M. Gaines, J. Pachak, J. Warren, M. Bond, M. Meloy, T. Rice, G. Lichtenstein, D. Dilego, V. Hadenfeldt, J. Hook. 1.5 hours. 5/26/00. FALSE ALARM. #030. 1600 hrs. Heavy smoke reported south near Mexican Water. Could find no smoke or fire. Quik Response #1 and #2. G. Lichtenstein, T. Rice, J. Hook. 1/2 hour. 6/17/00. OLD POND FIRE. #031 (county fire #F006). 1855 hrs. Responded to 911 report of fire behind Hozhoni Pottery. Welding sparks had ignited cheat grass which burned off the property and into tall weeds and trees on the neighboring property. High flames and dense smoke. Owner and neighbors were applying water with garden hoses. Quik Response #1 & #2, Lafrance Engine, 6x6 Tender. M. Gaines, B. Gaines, M. Pierson, M. Bond, T. Rice, G. Lichtenstein. V. Hadenfeldt, J. Hook, C. Hamilton, K. Bauman. D. Sumner, C. Simpson. A. Brenner- dispatch, J. Montella- Fire Warden and many bystanders. 1.5 hrs. 2 UPDATED 2000 TRAINING SCHEDULE June 30 Hazmat Awareness. Bluff Fire Station. 3:00 pm (Vaughn Hadenfeldt). newsletters for information. Please take training seriously and attend every one you can. Your training officers are working hard to keep our program relevant and interesting, do our art b attendi . July 27, 28, & 29 Wildland fire Green Card Training. Blanding. 6-10 pm on Thursday and Friday, 8hrs Saturday. Firefighter I only requires the first 4 hrs. New people please try to attend at least the first session. RESCUE HEROS August 3 Initial Attack Trailer from Utah Fire & Rescue Academy. IN BLUFF! Maximum 24 people. Required for Rookies! 6:00 to 10:00 pm August 5 Initial Attack Trailer (Blanding) August 10 Creek) flashoyer Trailer (Montezuma August 12 flashover Trailer (Blanding) from Utah Fire & Rescue Academy. Sept. 29 Emergency Driving. Bluff Fire Station. 3:00 pm (Tom Rice) trainers Mark Bond, Larry Sanford, Gary Lichtenstein Oct. Chili Dinner Fund Raiser (Jackie Warren) Oct. 27 fire fighting with Foam for Structure, Auto and Wildland. (Tom Rice) Bluff Fire Station 3:00 pm. Nov. 17 Ventilation & Ladders. Bluff Fire Station 3:00 pm (Vaughn Hadenfeldt) Other training opportunities may present themselves as the year progresses. Watch community bulletin board and intermittent JAWS OF LIFE GREEN CROSS AWARD You may remember our first vehicle extraction last fall. We were awkward but did rescue a Polish man trapped behind the steering wheel after a head on collision on Hwy 163 east of Butler Wash. In recognition for their efforts in performing a successful rescue with the Jaws of Life, Vaughn Hadenfeldt and Tom Rice have received the GREEN CROSS AWARD. This is part of a program sponsored by the Hurst Jaws of Life Tool Company and receiving it qualifies the department to be considered in the running for the newest rescue tool, a Hurst EK Combo. More important to us, it recognizes 2 of our firefighters for their efforts and our department for the advances we have made. There were many of you involved in that rescue and you are all HEROS, you all deserve congratulations and thanks. Thanks even more to those of you who have trained yourselves further on these rescue tools so we will be able to help when the call comes. Tom and Vaughn have each received a certificate and patch for their turnouts. Wear it with pride for our whole department. 3 ©2@@@irfl@@@ fcre@G® @Mr? C ®illl@fl®@@@ ~@f?'[[/\)@f?@ A big thank you to those of you who made donations to the fire department this year. We have no source of income for our organization except gifts. Your gifts of cash and labor help us take the department beyond the "just a building" phase into a living, responsive tool to protect our community's safety and property. The professionalism growing in the Bluff Fire Department is a direct result of your involvement. We thank you and look forward to continuing to serve you well. BUSINESS SERVICE DONATIONS Abajo Archaeology Bellson Construction Bluff Cuts Bluff Motors Far Out Expeditions Gaines Farms & Trucking Pioneer House B&B Quality Evaluation Designs Recapture Lodge 2000 Grant Proposal BUSINESS CASH DONATIONS (( Calf Canyon B&B Gary's Fire House Flicks Marty's Images of the West Mokee Motel Nizhoni Bridges Sand Island Music Festival COMMUNICATION BLUFFVFD 1999 Report of Incidents Structure Fires Wild Fires Vehicle Fires Rescue 3 3 2 2 EIRE HYDRANT TESTS Members of the Bluff Water Works board who also are volunteer firefighters (Mark Bond, Ken Lytle, Tom Rice) started the spring inspection of fire hydrants in Bluff on May 17. This simple inspection looks for leaks, accessibility, and operation with a short flush of each hydrant. Besides )eing critical for guaranteeing our fire suppression water supply when we grab a hydrant, this biannual inspection adds points to help us keep our fire insurance rating lower. Gary Lichtenstein recently completed our grant request to the Utah Fi re and Rescue Academy for year 2000. You remember how we benefited last year from his labor and our 1999 grant award, namely new doors, door openers and a new floor at the station, and for our training program a tv/vcr and overhead projector and screen. This year we concentrated on better communications. We asked for money to buy headsets and radios for the engineers on the Lafrance engine and 6x6 Tender so we can communicate .to all parts of the fire. Also we are asking again for a computer system to help in our fire reporting system and training records sections. Currently this is all done by hand (very time consuming) but our turning in UFIRS reports (Utah Fire Incident Reporting System) is what qualifies us for grants. Believe it or not, we are the only department in the county doing this and tapping into the grant funds. We should find out if we are successful sometime next month. Thanks many times over, Gary! 4 Fire Danger Extreme Restrictions in place. As you may know, since June 3, 2000, Bluff, along with the entire southern half of Utah, has been under a fire restriction order put in place by state and federal fire officials. Prohibited are all open fires except campfires in designated campgrounds; smoking except in vehicles, residences or within a 3 foot fire break; and all fireworks. Doing any of the above without a specific permit is a class B misdemeanor. I have been monitoring our fire danger ot the Interagency Fire Center website and will keep it posted on the bulletin board until it goes down. Until that time, we will hit any wildfire with everything we have in order to protect structures and prevent fire spread. Layton City fire Department, Utah. Killed in the line of duty while searching a burning residence for a reported lost child. He is survived by his wife and three children. ( Brother, ,when you weep for me, rememher it was meant to he. Lay me down and when you leave, rememher I'll he at your sleeve. In every dark and choking hall, I'll be there as you slowly crawl On every roof in driving snow, I'll hold your coat and you will know In cellars hot with searing heat, at windows where a gate you'll meet In closets where young children hide, you ,k_n ow I'll be there at your side. The house from which I now respond is overstaffed with heroes gone . Men who answered one last bell, did the job and did it well. As firefighters we understand that death's card dealt in our hand A card we hope we never play but one we hold there anyway. That card is something we ignore as we crawl across a weakened floor For we know that we are the only prayer for anyone who might be there. So rememher as you' wipe your tears, the joy I knew throughout the year As I did the job I loved to do - I pray this thought will see you through. ~ by Preston Price, Hanove~ Volunteer Fire Department Report any unauthorized burning to the Sheriff or to the Chief. IAST .RESPECTSfirefighter Kendall 0. Bryant. 2/14/64-3/31/00 Bluff Volunteer Fire Department Jim Hook- Chief P.O. Box 316 Bluff, UT 84512 I Stamp I I I Bluff VFD Newsletter ( Issue #10 Winter, 2000 Dumpster Fire The Good News- Oh no, I feel a newsletter coming on! garden hose. The rest of us all did whatever we did when we heard the siren or the pager. I hope you have studied that moment when you heard the alarm and especially how you responded. I was running some machinery and didn't hear anything until my wife came looking for me, the siren hadn't gone off at that time. I told her to call 911 and get the page-out started and I drove to the fire station. With a gesture I told Tom, who had just pulled the Quick Response out, to take off by himself with that engine. I threw on my turnouts, took the Tender and went to the scene. Someone had dumped stove ashes with a little heat still in them into the dumpster and eventually that ignited some cardboard and finally the plastic doors covering the dumpster melted and burned. Vance said flames were 20' in the air when he got there. About 8 or 10 of us responded, we drowned the fire, stirred it with the pike pole and went home. Everything went fine, no injuries, not much damage, all of our equipment in good shape. That is what I am going to put in the report I send to the county and the state. When is the best time to write a newsletter? 4:00 a.m. I guess, because that's what time it is now. I woke up at 3:30 this morning from another weird fire dream in which I couldn't find my pants and the trucks wouldn't start. I wish I could call of you right now, we need to talk. ( _:,. lowa-12/23/99. 3 Firefighters/3 kids die. Let's critique our last fire call. It was 3 days ago on January 11, 3:20 p.m. A dumpster was on fire behind the K&C Store, 20 feet from the building and a propane tank. Tom Rice noticed smoke behind the store and went to investigate, then went to get the Quick Response Truck. Bryan went to the Lodge to tell us that there was a fire, and Vance Nielson went after the fire with a fire extinguisher and a Now the bad news- 2 "Heads would roll!" Gosh I get a lot of fire magazines and safety bulletins in the Chief mailbox. Did you know that more firefighters are injured fighting dumpster fires than structure fires? Know why? Firefighters don't take them seriously. Think about what might be burning in a dumpster and the hazards they pose. For instance paper and cardboard (burns), many kinds of plastic (toxic fumes), hair spray cans (explosions and shrapnel), paint & cleaners (more explosions and flammable liquids thrown out), glass bottles (bursting glass shrapnel), let alone steam from water hitting superheated metal (scalding). We won't even talk about the nearby propane tank or the hot and burning stuff floating up with the heat and raining down on the roof of the store and nearby structures or dead grass & leaves. Need I say more? YES! If I were a paid Chief and you were paid Firefighters, heads would roll, yours and mine. Instead, lets look at what I saw wrong and commit ourselves to doing better next time. ATTlTUDE ABOUT LITTLE FIRESThe fact is, we don't have many fires. But if we only respond to a call when we decide our help is needed or if we think it might be serious, by the time we do have a serious fire we won't even know how to respond. Practice makes perfect (or a close approximation) so let's use every call as a chance to practice. Let's treat every one like a serious fire. It is good for us and good for the community to see that we know how. We don't mind a bit responding even to little things, we won't complain a bit. It's what makes for professionalism. ( REPORTING THE FIRECall 911 ! That gets us together and working as a team the fastest. Don't be embarrassed to call, don't wait to see how Call for Help ,. ., _ Then fight the fire! bad it is. 911 needs practice too. First call 911 then go for the extinguisher, 'then go for the truck. You'll find you then have help coming instead of being helpless if your first efforts fai!. Ther~ u,ac '::11 nhnn in the store and 2 phones outside the store. If you get to a radio first, have the Sheriff's Office page us out. In this incident Luanne finally called 911 after coming to get me. - 1t~ ....., ... ,..,. •• ._,, , . BLUFF DISPATCHERWhen someone come~ into the office with an emergency, procedure is 1) call 911 and 2) call thro'ugh the Volunteer phone tree. We didn't want to over . respond (see ATTITUDE above). rns·tead we tried to call the Chief on our walkie talkie 1 then went looking for him, then went out back to see what was burning. That cost +/- 3 minutes in response time. Time for a fire to double in size. TRUCKSUnless we come up with another pla~. we need every truck on every fire in town. We need Continued on page 3 3 \ Continued from page 2 all of our "tools" on scene, not back in the fire house. What happens if the Quick Response dies before it gets there, if we need a ladder, if a pump won't start, what if we need another radio to call an ambulance? Tom took the Quick Response, I took the Tender, the other 2 trucks sat in the barn. When you get to the station, grab a truck! 2 & 2. "ONLY COUPLES DANCE"Lets make that our motto. I should not have motioned Tom on to the fire by himself. Don't go until there are 2 people in the truck or in 2 trucks, or until you know that there is at least 1 more fire fighter on the scene. I was right behind Tom but what if my truck hadn't started? I sent Tom to an unknown situation by himself, I owe more than ,that to Blair and Kelly. Sorry Tom. ( PERSONAL SAFETY GEARWhere the hell were your turn outs? Why didn't ", w~ ,pull out an SCBA? $2000 worth of stuff per person to helRprqte ct us from.·injury and how many of us showed & c "riaked"' (so to speak) while our turnouts hung ·up at K_ neglected at the station? (see ATTITUDE above). Our tax money bought that stuff to protect us from real threats. I wonder what Workers Comp and OSHA would say to you, to me, if one of us were injured whiie "working" naked? Does awelder 1weld without a helmet & shield? Does a carpenter w9rk on a house barefoot? Does a teacher Worchester,:Massachusetts 6 Firefighters die. work in school without mace and a bullet proof vest? I don't think so. DIRECTING OTHER FIREFIGHTERSMy rule has been that whoever leaves for a fire should write on the dry board behind the turnout rack where the fire is so everyone following knows where to go or, if it works out, have one person stay at the station to send reinforcements as they arrive. I didn't do that so some of you didn't even know where the fire was. REPORTING TO DUTYI know we haven't really talked about this but it happens almost every call. We hear the siren, we follow the fire truck or see where it is going and then drive by equipped or not, (see SAFETY GEAR above) to see if we are needed. If it looks like a couple of firefighters are there we just cruise on back home or to work (see ATTITUDE above). NEW RULE! If you are too busy to help, don't respond. If you respond don't just drive by. Report to the Incident Commander and find out what needs done and if that person doesn't need you let them release you. I really have no idea who responded Tuesday other than Tom, Gary and I, but I did see a bunch of people go by peripherally. The IC needs to note who responds so at the very least we can take a head count when we leave! FIRE OUT, RETURNING TO STATIONThe fire ain't out until it is out! There was no flame in the dumpster when I hit it with the fire hose, but did you see the ball of smoke and steam come up out of there? It burst back into flame when I fogged it because of the extra air that nozzle setting brings with it. At the very least the dumpster would have smoked and stunk all night long. A couple of years ago when we had the Drunk Fire back in the tamarisk along Cottonwood Wash we thought the fire was out but were called back again in a couple of hours when it flared up bigger than it was to start with. Water is cheap and tanks are easy to refill. Always cold trail the fire before you leave the scene. FINALLYPlease do not be offended or take personally any You may notice that my list of wrongs above. of the half of the time. I don't know how else to myself includes and make us a better department without things fix these Listen, I didn't ask for this job and I it. about talking up at 3:30 in the morning with wake to ask didn't responsibility to you. I am sure you my about nightmares department too and find things I our and eyeball yourself have license to critique all We about. didn't think improve ourselves. When I to is goal the ourselves if 6 firefighters killed in that the about read last month and then 3 more killed in setts warehouse in Massachu kids who died anyway, the little 3 Iowa trying to rescue lives and the welfare of and safety responsibility of your your families weighs heavy on me. Bluff VFD Newsletter Issue #10 Winter, 2000 Dumpster Fire The Good News- Oh no, I feel a newsletter coming on! garden hose. The rest of us all did whatever we did when we heard the siren or the pager. I hope you have studied that moment when you heard the alarm and especially how you responded. I was running some machinery and didn't hear anything until my wife came looking for me, the siren hadn't gone off at that time. I told her to call 911 and get the page-out started and I drove to the fire station. With a gesture I told Tom, who had just pulled the Quick Response out, to take off by himself with that engine. I threw on my turnouts, took the Tender and went to the scene. Someone had dumped stove ashes with a little heat still in them into the dumpster and eventually that ignited some cardboard and finally the plastic doors covering the dumpster melted and burned. Vance said flames were 20' in the air when he got there. About 8 or 10 of us responded, we drowned the fire, stirred it with the pike pole and went home. Everything went fine, no injuries, not much damage, all of our equipment in good shape. That is what I am going to put in the report I send to the county and the state. When is the best time to write a newsletter? 4:00 a.m. I guess, because that's what time it is now. I woke up at 3:30 this morning from another weird fire dream in which I couldn't find my pants and the trucks wouldn't start. I wish I could call of you right now, we need to talk. ( ~ ' lowa-12/23/99. 3 Firefighters/3 kids die. Let's critique our last fire call. It was 3 days ago on January 11, 3:20 p.m. A dumpster was on fire behind the K&C Store, 20 feet from the building and a propane tank. Tom Rice noticed smoke behind the store and went to investigate, then went to get the Quick Response Truck. Bryan went to the Lodge to tell us that there was a fire, and Vance Nielson went after the fire with a fire extinguisher and a Now the bad news- r j ~ R, ~ / >'f / 01 Bluff firefighters attend winter fire school Bluff firefighters recently , on pages. Four firefighters from the Bluff Volunteer Fire Department attended the Utah Fire and Rescue Academy (UFRA) in St. George on February 2 and 3. Bluff firefighters joined with other firefighters from throughout the state who enrblled in courses designed to improve initial attack strategies and enhance firefighter survival. Lt. Vaughn Hadenfeldt and Chief Jim Hook took the twoday "Strategy and Tactics" course, where they learned important lessons and skills related to evaluating a situation and deploying resources to handle it quickly and effectively. "Organization and resources are always a challenge for a volunteer fire department. This course prepared us to think about how to organize the resources we have for each incident," said Chief Hook. "This course will also help us understand how to balance risk versv.s value when we roll onto a scene." Firefighter Bryon Himelick and Lt. Gary Lichtenstein said that despite the bruises they received, the "Firefighter Survival" course they took was invaluable. They spent two days learning about risks to all firefighters, and the dangers to volunteers in particular. "Of the approximately 100 firefighters killed nationwide each year, most are volunteers," said Himelick. "We learned how to avoid the situations you never want to get into, and then how to get out of them." Himelick and Lichtenstein banged through walls, jumped headfirst onto ladders, and rappelled off of ax handles to practice maneuvers that they will share with other San Juan County firefighters who might find themselves in dangerous situations. Bluff firefighters were able to attend the training through a partial grant from UFRA. Rick Bailey, director of Emergency Services for San Juan County, encouraged the firefighters to attend and also provided funding. Chief Hook said, "I really want to thank Rick (Bailey) and the county commissioners for making it possible for us to attend the fire school. We really appreciate the support they are showing for the department and the communities we serve." The BluffVFD responded to 28 calls in 2000, including three structure fires. In addition, they responded to several vehicle accidents, including the multiple fat:1lity accident in Aneth last summer. PAGE 2 BLUE MOUNTAIN PANORAMA WEDNESDAY MARCH 14, 2001 County fire fighters respond to tank fire near Hovenweep by Neil Joslin Jim Hook, his crews were called What do you get when you mix to be the first responders because fiberglass and lightening? How the Montezuma Creek fire fightabout a nice fire. ers were all in Farmington, New Fire fighters from throughout Mexico for training. San Juan County were -called to "It's about 30 miles for us, but respond to such a fire Saturday we were the closest," Hook afternoon at around 12:34 p.m. explained. The fire was located 1 mile east Hook said two fiberglass holdof the Hovenweep turnoff, in ing tanks were struck by lightenMcElmo Canyon at a site known ing, and were fully involved as the Ismay Slodine Park Unit. when his crew arrived on scene. According to Bluff Fire Captain - He said the tanks were 12 feet in Fire crews from Bluff, Blanding and Monticello were all called to respond to a fire at this unit 1 mile east of the Hovenweep turnoff in McElmo Canyon, near Ismay,_on Saturday afternoon. The unit is owned by Journey Operating LLC, of Houston, Texas. One water holding tank was destroyed. Photo by Katie Joslin diameter and about 15-20 feet high. Amazingly, a small building just a few feet from the tanks was spared any damage because high winds blew the flames and smoke away from it. Units from Blanding and Monticello, including San Juan County's HAZMAT unit were also dispatched to assist. Crews stayed on scene until around 4:30 that afternoon. Brian Baer, a spokesman for Journal Operating, said the tanks only contained water but they were made from fiberglass, which does ignite when hit by lightening. He said the tanks were destroyed, but gave no damage estimates. There were no injuries. Hook said this was the fourth lightening-related fire his crew has fought in the past nine months. Baer explained that is the first such incident for any of his company's facilities in San Juan County. :;JJ R. Officials thank fire fighters and donors Bluff firefighters responding to a vehicle fire last month. BVFD has just been awarded an $11,000 Fitness and Wellness grant from Jeff Bailey photo FEMA. '( ;2.te - DI The County of San Juan and Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands would like to thank the following for all their support, time and equipment used in the suppression of the sawdust fire at Timber Products: Grand Comity . Agencies, Monticello Fire Department, Blanding Fire Department, Montezuma Creek Fire Departmen t, Bluff Fire Departmen t, Paradox Fire Department, Dove Creek Fire Department, Tom Brown, Inc., San Juan County Road Department, Sonderegge r Construction, -LeGrand Johnson Constructio n, Bureau of Land Manageme nt, Forest Service, Moab Interagency Fire Center, San Juan EMS, Mt. Peale Bed Jim Breakfast , & ConSon & • Blankenage l, Knut struction, UP&L, staffofTim ber Products, Lone Peak Strike Team, Prairie Dawg. We would also like to offer a special thanks to the La Sal Fire Departmen t and the community of La Sal. To all of those listed, you displayed a spirit of determinati on, faced the task before you with confidence, and demonstrat ed extraordinary professiona lism. We congratulat e you on a job well done! Rick Bailey, San Juan County Fire Marshall Gary Cornell, Southeast Area Manager, Forestry, Fire & State Lands James Montella, Interface Specialist/ District Fire Warden THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - Page 4 Massive sawdust fire extinguished (continued from page 1) One problem is that EnviThe sawdust was spread, no ronmental Protection Agency "'' more than five inches deep, (EPA) regulations put sawmill onto the ground, where trucks owners_in a frustrating prefollowed to spray water on the dicament. The sawmills creremains. The result is that an ate, but are restricted from intimidating pile of fuel was burning, a~ enormous amount quickly reduced to nothing of refuse. In fact, sawmills more than a field of sawdust. used to be marked by large, First to respond to the fire cone-shaped buildings where on October 6 was the La Sal the refuse was burned. Seeming to dwarf Mt. Peale, a mountain of sawdust at the Timber Volunteer Fire Department. It Now, as a result of the EPA Products Mill in La Sal was made into a molehill by fire fighters. The soon became apparent that it regulations, sawmills simply fire at the mill, whk '1 was expected to smoulder for months or years, was more than they could place the sawdust into enorwas extinguished by the "divide and conquer'' strategy. Staff photo handle. Fire Departments mous piles . There are few from throughout San Juan markets to sell the sawdust, so County, as well as Grand it simply sits and grows in size County and State and Federal at the sawmill. Unless there crews, have been on the scene. are local ordinances mandatEquipment from the sawmill ing that the sawdust piles are was moved from harm's way treated (San Juan County does and buildings were wet down not have these ordinances to prevent their loss. Crews yet) the result is similar to a Not to make a mountain out However, no matter how much . remained on duty around the pile of freshly cut hay, a pile of] of a mole hill, but it is easy to water was put on the sawdust clock watching the fire and organic matter that is prime understate the size of the saw- fire, it failed to reach the mul- protecting adjacent structures. for eventual spontaneous comNear by residents have bustion. dust fire at the Timber Products tiple inner cores of the conflaBecause the costs were sawmill in La Sal. The moun- gration, which lie deep in the watched the fire through the next ten days with great inter- mounting and local crews were tains of sawdust which were on heart of sawdust mountains. Fire fighters justifiably feared est, fascination and concern. exhausted after several days of fire at the mill were enoqnous, that the fire in the mountains Ron and Shannon Krist live intense fire-fighting efforts, covering approximatel y four of sawdust would burn and just up the draw from the fire: San Juan County Commisacres and towering nearly 50 smolder for months and months, a draw that could easily turn sioners declared a State of feet in several places. They repif not for years. The prospect into a chimney sucking the fire Emergency on October 11 and resent the evidence of nearly 13 was of a time consuming and ex- their direction if conditions asked the state for help in years of work at the busy sawpensive effort which would were right. Both Shannon and fighting the fire. A Level Two mill. When the sawdust pile spon-. leave picturesque Old La Sal in neighbo_r Darla Martin praise Fire Team took over the fire - . taneously caught fire on Octo- a smoky haze and threaten the the efforts of the La Sal Vol- fighting efforts on Friday and unteer Fire Department for implemented the "divide and ber 6, fire fighters faced a blaze watershed. However, instead of facing a their outstanding dedication conquer" strategy by Friday that appeared to be impossible fire that could rage for months and for staying on duty even evening. to put out. Because of the efor years, the fire Bailey reports that the state was largely exwhen other crews were sent forts of the firefighting teams, tinguished has by Monday, yet to respond to the reOctober home. Fire Chief Ron Barnett ·the fire scorched, but did not burn the sawmill buildings. 15. . l au est fofvVBV'fi 'ti~ft"'=f'JI . • Their secret? They m a d e ~ molehills out of the mountain. A Level Two Incident Response Team is credited with coming up with the idea of simply moving the sawdust fuel away from the fire and spreading it in a field adjacent to the sawmill. After several days of work, the large and monolithic mountain of smoldering sawdust quickly became a five inch •' base of compost in Jim Blankenagel's field. .,___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __, I Fire fighters make molehills out of mountain, stop sawdust fire 1,11111rwe It is a simple idea, but implementing the plan required a lot of work. Excavators and backhoes started knocking down the enormous piles of sawdust, many of which were still on fire . The smaller piles were doused with fire retardant foam and loaded into belly dump trucks, which transported the smoldering sawdust to the adjacent field. (please turn to page 4) --....... .,._nd Pr1·ce 80(!1 L EYp .-.,~')r,1~00; K.e..THY C:.6RSON ••• PO BOX 37 BLUFF UT 84512-0097 • -)1~~rl. (: /I,, 1, fI,, I, If I, fIf 11, fI, 111, f, 11, f, If I,, If ff 11 fIf fI, f, /If, I,/ ... VOLUME EIGHT, NUMBER THIRTY-TWO OCTOBER 10, 2001 BLUE MOUNTAIN PANORAMA Firefighters hailed as heroes for helping save La Sal saw mill Wood pile could burn tor weeks by Neil Joslin Spontaneous combustion deep inside a huge pile of scrap wood at the La Sal saw mill, in Old La Sal, has been identified as the cause of a fire that brought firefighters from two counties to the mill Saturday night. Fire crews from Grand and San Juan Counties responded to the call with water tankers and other fire fighting equipment. By midnight Saturday, crews from Montezuma Creek, Bluff, Blanding, Monticello, La Sal and Moab were tr in to decide how best to 1g t t e massive ire. l\1onday morning, crews were still. on scene, where the fire continues to bum. . According to San Juan County Emergency Services Director Rick Bailey, the fire is impossible to put out because its core is deep inside the 100-foot-high pile of discarded wood, which covers an area the size of a football field. Efforts to dowse the fire with a water cannon, mounted on a Moab Fire Department truck, did little but cause a lot of smoke. Bailey said there was no way to get enough water onto the fire to do any good because the water couldn't get to the source ·of the fire. Bailey reported that the idea of using planes to drop fire retardant on the fire, or using helicopters to drop water from buckets was considered, but not seriously. Both would be day time operations, an even those methods wouldn't get water to the source of the fire. "The problem is that because of federal regulations, this wood can't be burned off like they used to do," Bailey explained. "So it just sits here, building up and then you have a situation like this." continued on page 2 £a Sal saw mill fire presents huge task for firefighters ... Firefighters from Moab sprayed water on flames but the huge pile of waste lumber was too involved to be dowsed. San Juan County officials said the enormous pile, bigger than a football field and about 100 feet high, could bum for several weeks before it is out. Fire crews from throughout the area were on scene late Saturday night, but could only try and keep the fire from spreading to nearby buildings and equipment. It was reported the fire was started by spontaneous combustion deep inside the wood pile. Staff photo Spraying it down ... Firefighters spent the early hours of Sunday morning spraying down the massive wood pile at the La Sal saw mill in an effort to keep the flames from spreading, and save nearby buildings. Staff photo PAGE 2 BLUE MOUNTAIN PANORAMA WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10, 2001 La Sal fire still burning Continued from page 1 Crews worked throughout Saturday night, Sunday and Sunday night to keep the blaze from reaching the mill's buildings and equipment that are located adjacent to the wood pile. In addition, mill owner Fred Stocks used heavy equipment to forge fire lines between the huge pile and the buildings. Crews then soaked the pile with water through the weekend to keep it from burning enough for fire to reach the buildings. Crews were also concerned that ashes from the fire could ignite brush near the bottom of the wood pile and threaten nearby homes to the south. However, the prevailing winds kept the fire moving toward the mill itself. Around 2:30 a.m . on Sunday, the Moab Fire Department had to NOW PLAYING AT THE San Juan Theater In Blanding OCTOBER 10-18 American Sweethearts PG- 13 Starnng Juli a Roberts and Catherine Ze ta-Jones and Legally Blonde PG- 13 Starnn g R. Witherspoon Call For Show Times 678-2653 No Shows On Sunday or Monday leave the scene. Bailey said he was worried at that point because the fire was threatening the buildings and "things didn't look good." But the firefighters still at the scene did yeoman work to keep the fire contained. The buildings were sprayed with water and foam to keep them cooled down. "These guys were absolutely heroes," commented mill owner Brenda Stocks Monday. "We had firemen from Blanding, Monticel_Io, Bluff, La Sal , Moab, Montezuma Creek, the Forest Service and BLM. They were all heroes, and I want them to know that." Stocks explained that the first "tiny pillar of smoke" from the fire was seen around 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Local crews worked to put it out by digging into the pile. But as they dug, the cavern got bigger and bigger and the fire got hotter, she noted. Twice, the fire was thought to be buried, but it reignited. The last time was at 2:30 p.m. when a thunderstorm and high winds came through and rekindled the blaze. It's been burning since. Other reports indicated that the fire had actually started as early as Thursday morning. Stocks said there were some comments from neighbors about "wisps" of smoke being seen on Thursday. But the first real signs of a fire weren't visible until Saturday. By Monday morning, Bailey reported the fire was mostly con- Watching the advancing inferno ... Moab firefighter Dave Engleman stands high atop the back side of the burning wood pile and watches as the flames creep his way. Winds threatened to spread the fire toward the buildings and machinery on the Staff photo north side of the pile. The fire looked like a volcano as it crested the top of the pile. tained, but not under control. He said the enormity of the wood pile will ca.use the fire to burn for weeks, until it burns itself out. However, for now, the mill and the nearby buildings appear to be out of danger. A fire crew is standing by at the fire station in La Sal, just in case, Stocks said. Bailey was scheduled to meet with the Fred and Brenda Stocks, and La Sal fire • officials on Monday to go over contingency plans should the fire gets worse. However, Bailey noted that unless high winds come up, the fire should be contained to the pile without many problems. He also noted that the weather forecast was calling for rain in the area later in the week. Brenda Stocks reported that the saw mill itself will be closed for a ·:Jhae ~ Help Is Just Around The Comer"' Interior Paint Values ✓ time, and there will be no specialty cutting done. But the mill's inventory is in tact and available for purchase. DEADLINE The deadline for all ads, announcements, notices, etc. is Friday at Noon. If you submit something you would like returned please include a self addressed stamped envelope. 'fhank You. ;\Jeed a nen, look? 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Kare Interior Primer K 388 oss Fi Reaas True, 82 South Main • Blanding, Ut~ J San Juan County Fire Chief's Association recognized with State Forester's award. ( The San Juan County Fire Chief's Association has been honored for outstanding service to Utah's State Fire Assistance Program for their support on the sawdust rural fire from October 6, 2001. Utah State Fire Management Coordinator Dave Dalrymple presented the association with the Utah State Forester's Award during ceremonies held at Sundance Resort in Utah County. "The Association was a key player in assisting state and federal agencies in controlling explained fire," this Dalrymple. "Without their cooperation and assistance the Sawmill Fire would have been much worse than it was, both in terms of facilities destroyed and associated costs." Firefighters and equipment from La Sal, Monticello, THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - Page 3 and Bluff Blanding, Montezuma Creek played a key role preventing the loss of The BluffVolunteer Fire DeThe Grant Program is adsawmill buildings and equipgrant a received has partment by the U.S. Fire ministered ment valued at $650,000. As2003 the from $30,528 of (USFA), a diAdministration Their actions also prevented Grant Firefighters to sistance and assists FEMA, of vision the spread of the fire into sawthe by administered Program throughout departments fire mill products valued at $1 milHomeland of Department U.S. States. United the of spread the as lion, as well The funds increase the effecfire into adjacent wildland in- Security's Federal Emergency (FEMA). Agency Management of firefighting operativeness terface with 10 homes valued milof$750 part award, The fire apparatus, new tions, at more than $750,000. over to distributed being lion service medical emergency Personnel from these agenin departments fire 7,000 prevention fire and programs, cies worked in rotating shifts to provide 24 hour per day cov- 2003, will be used by the Bluff and safety programs in local erage enduring extreme heat. Fire Department to purchase departments. For more info, call Tom The award was presented at up-to-date self contained their for apparatus breathing at 301.447.1853. Olshanski a meeting of county fire warfirefighters. dens held each year by the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The meeting assesses wildland fire control efforts of the Grant for Bluff fire department Bluff lire depart,nent receive grant from FEMA The Bluff Volunteer Fire Department has received a grant of $30,528.00 from the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The award, part of $750 million being distributed to over 7,000 fire departments in 2003, will be used by the Bluff Fire Department to purchase up-to-date self contained breathing apparatus for their firefighters. "Firefighters play a key role in safeguarding America, and these fire grant funds provide first responders with the resources necessary to protect our communities from all hazards," said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "I join President Bush and Secretary Ridge in applauding our nations firefighters and share their commitment to ensuring that first responders have the proper equipment, resources, training and support to fulfill their responsibi Iities." The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of FEMA, and assists rural, urban and suburban United States. These funds increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, emergency medical service programs. and fire prevention and safety programs in local departments. "In this nation, far too many individuals lose their lives or are injured by fire. Among these victims are firefighters, who provide emergency response services to their fellow residents," said U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison. "The nation's firefighters and American homes are safer today through this important UNTY ,4.~ernoon fire destroys two buildings in }Vl.ontezuma ereek... Units of the Montezuma Creek, Bluff and Blanding Volunteer Fire Departments responded to a pair of structure fires in Montezuma Creek last Thursday afternoon. The two buildings were across from the Mussi Cafe, and appeared to be abandoned. The first fire report was called into San Juan County Sheriff's Dispatchers shortly after 3:30 p,m. The Bluff Department was called in to assist Montezuma Creek, and arrived too late to save the northern most of three buildings. The middle building also became involved and fire fighters worked to extinguish the fire. Four members of the Bluff Department, arrived shortly after 4:00 p.m. Later a unit from Blanding arrived on scene with three fire fighters to help with the effort. A crew from Rocky Mountain Power and EMS personnel from Bluff and Montezuma Creek also responded. A nearby camper shell was Staff photo damaged. Witnesses reported kids, possibly with matches, playing in the area after school. No one was injured in the incident. ( N ew Fi re T ru ck ro lls in to B lu ff il :• }Jew addit ion to ljluff Jire Depa rtme nt... ( and Nate Seeley, of Seeley Oil Company, and Bluff Fire Chief Jim Hook (right), shows off the town's new mini-pumper to Kim which was purchased with a generous donation Redrock Well Service. The truck carries $15,000 worth of equipment, much of courtesy photo from the Seeley's. labeled in Arabic. of Agriculture grant, San Juan fire engines to protect the were all by Gary Lichtenstein, the truck went Utah, in Once town, and a fully-equipped Captain Bluff Volunteer Fire County, and Bluff VFD. nt Co., the Equipme Ross to to The new truck is manufac- vehicle that can respond Department City, for Lake Salt in dealer the s on Bluff Volunteer Fire tured by Pierce Manufacturing fires and accident . detailing and n inspectio final on the Navajo Department has acquired a Company. It is called a mini- highways and Bluff in arrived truck new The leaving without new fire engine, the first pumper, which looks like a Reservation, at the end of November. ." exposed town the is but engine, sized regular fire brand new structure Federal funds for the truck County Rick Bailey, engine the town has had since smaller, carries 300 gallons of of and Director ·pg1rurn S! ~U!lC;}S ·g~.nnp the fire department began water, and travels at highway Administrator San for Services cy Emergen per mini-pum Bluff's speeds. truck OU S! ;}J;)l!.L ·pugnc Ol ;}WO:'.>l;}M operating in 1973. The grant for applied County, Juan France La 1967 a replaces unit S! ;'lUOA.I;'lAt[ ·yoOl!:'.>S l!~!H CH\f is a four-wheel drive of ent Departm the from funds years recent in which engine, lC l~ns l!lllOS J;}AO A.IOP!A equipped with compressed air responds "Bluff ure. Agricult cal mechani by plagued was d!l!SUO! dwcq;) g1c1s vz gl!l foam, a relatively new techhe area," wide a in calls to to responds Bluff s. problem 01 qcuc)l: l!HM gwc~ ~u!ugdo nology that can shoot a foam give will truck new "This said, an across year a calls 50 over gql WOJJ 'uoscgs O:'.>UOJS: ;'l}!lU;'l substance the consistency of the on mobility better them square 200 almost of area a ;'ll!l S;'lY::,!UOll!:'.> ogp!A gq.L shaving cream just like their increase and s highway said, Hook Jim Chief miles. The 'J;'llC;'ll!.L CU;'ll\f stream of water. incidents to respond to ability us. for perfect is truck gl!l U! ·w·d "This d q~!l! gyuq s,yool!::,s $193,000 truck was purchase lands." Navajo on structure two have 1 srq1 now We ,(cps1nq. ent ~ I :g 1c ~U!U;'lA;'l with funds from a Departm In mid-November, ll!~H ogp!A uoscgs 600Z gql JO -q~!l! gql Moqs {l!M lliC;'ll ncq -lOOJ O:'.>UOlff UCilf UCS ;'ll!.L oapµ :aqlg qffJII ~ - 6 I SAN JUAN RECORD ~~ ~ t__,;, Bluff Fire Chief Jim Hook (right), shows off the town's new mini-pumper to Kim and Nate Seeley, of Seeley Oil Company, and Redrock Well Service. The truck carries $15,000 worth of equipment, much of which was purchased with a generous Courtesy photo donation from the Seeley's. New mini-pumper in Bluff The BluffVolunteer Fire new truck arrived in Bluff Department has acquired at the end of November. Federal funds for the a new fire engine, the first supplied were truck brand new structure fire Department the through engine the town has had since the fire department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Amerbegan operating in 1973. The truck is a four- ican Recovery and Rewheel drive unit equipped investment Act of 2009 with compressed air foam, (ARRA). The office of Rural Dea relatively new technology that can shoot a foam velopment operates a substance the consistency range of programs, includof shaving cream just like ing affordable housing, a stream of water. The water systems and system $193,000 truck was pur- upgrades, and economic chased with funds from a development. USDA RuDepartment of Agriculture ral Development in Utah grant, San Juan County, invested more than $299 million in 2009. and Bluff VFD. "Bluffs funding is typiThe new truck is manufactured by Pierce Man- cal for Rural Development, ufacturing Company. It which awards grants and is called a mini-pumper, issues loan assistance to which looks like a regular local governments and organizations sized engine, but is small- nonprofit er, carries 300 gallons of for fire and police protecwater, and travels at high- tion, health clinics, libraries and other public uses." way speeds, Bluffs mini-pumper re- said Liz Black, Team Leadplaces a 1967 La France er for Rural Development engine, which in recent in the Monticello office. More information on years was plagued by mechanical problems. Bluff USDA Rural Development responds to over 50 calls a programs is at www.ruryear across an area of al- dev,u 5da.goy/ut or by calling 435-587-2473. most 200 square miles. Chief Jim Hook said, ' "This truck is perfect for us. We now have two structure fire engines to protect the town, and a fullyequipped vehicle that can respond to fires and accidents on the highways and on the Navajo Reservation, without leaving the town exposed." Rick Bailey, County Administrator and Director of Emergency Services for San Juan County, applied for grant funds from the Department of Agriculture. "Bluff responds to calls in a wide area," he said, "This new truck will give them better mobility on the highways and increase their ability to respond to incidents on Navajo lands." In mid-November, Chief Hook, accompanied by future firefighter Jill Hook, flew to the Pierce manufacturing plant in Bradenton, FL, to attend the final inspection and drive the apparatus back to Utah. They toured the Pierce plant, where they learned that the company is preparing about 20 similar trucks for use in the Middle East. The control panels for those trucks were all labeled in Arabic. Once in Utah, the truck went to Ross Equipment Co., the dealer in Salt Lake City, for final inspection and detailing. The Kathy Carson ( From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: Gary Lichtenstein [[e-mail]] Sunday, June 05, 2016 9:10 AM Gary Lichtenstein; Jill Hook; Kristen Bushnell; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; Thomas Hook; [e-mail]; Malyssa Egge; Brandt Hart; Jim Hook; Liam Downey; Michael Haviken; Mitch McComb; Ned Krutsky; Vaughn & Marsha Hadenfeldt; [e-mail]; Josh Ewing; Ron Clark; Atsushi Yamamoto; Kathy Carson; Josh Ewing; Dawn Dilego; Dessa Hadenfeldt; Lacey Hook; Sandy Mailliard Kelly Pehrson; David Gallegos Jim's Appreciation Party Jim with Leather Helmet 2016 6.4.jpg; Chiefs leather helmet cropped 2016 6.4.jpg Greetings, Thanks to everyone for making Jim's Appreciation Party a special event. And thanks to Mitch, Brant, Brandt, Josh, and Anthony for taking the call that we were paged to in the middle of it. For those who could and couldn't make it, see photos attached. Thanks again to everyone who chipped in for Jim's leather helmet. Here's a summary of my presentation: Over the 18 years that Jim has been chief, Bluff has developed a reputation for being an effective, reliable, department that anchors the south end ofSan Juan County. Over the past two decades, Jim has recruited and supported a dedicated crew of volunteers who have an average length ofservice to the department of 8 years. Over half have undergone FF 1, IL and or Wild/and Firefighter training, a proportion that beats the national average. The county has both recognized and reinforced our strength by providing resources that grew from 3 apparatus in 1998 to 8 now, including the brand new Mini,. outfitted when delivered with $20,000 of new equipment. The County has also provided match funds for our grants to the tune of $330,860 since 1999, built Bluff afire station, and provided critical equipment such as a Thermal Imaging Device, Light Trailer, Foam Trailer, and 18 sets of brand new turnouts. Most people, even firefighters, have no idea what it takes to run a fire department. Most people don't see all the paperwork, chief meetings, meetings with neighbors and others who have special needs and complaints, who might think that their taxes pay for firefighters and fire services. Most people don't see the NFIRS reports, county accountability reports, and other administrivia that consume hours of time and effort, and that is required to make a fire department work. That's the work that makes us eligible for grants and that improves the town's ISO rating, which went from the lowest possible (10) when Jim first took over the department in 1998, to a 6 a few years later, which saves home and business owners thousands of dollars each year on property insurance. And then there's the maintenance and up keep. Every time a firefighter jumps into truck for a call, and it runs, and the equipment on it all functions correctly --it's a minor miracle that reflects hours of somebody's constant attention between calls. For the past 18 years, most of that work has been done by Jim. Finally, there are the between times, those quiet moments when the flood ofpaperwork is staved off, trucks and equipment run good enough, and the pager isn't going off. That's the time when you'd think that the chief could bask in the glory of his accomplishments. But no. Because it's in those quiet moments that the volume ofconstant worry intensifies in the Chief's mind. 1 1 I Scenarios play out-that curve leading into Cow Canyon, the elementary school, the power pack on the Jaws ofLife, the water barrels on that burning truck that turned out to be diesellived and yet-to-be-lived scenarios that constantly challenge the Chief to be one step ahead of disaster. We all experience the missed family time, the vacations not taken, the sudden disappearances. The chief experiences these in greater proportion. And when the dispatch center for the town is in your living room, the entire family lives with the constant chatter of background voices and beeps and jolts all day everyday, everyday (and night) ofeach year. To endure these hardships voluntarily and with dignity for even a year is commendable. But to be the Chieffor nearly two decades reflects an extraordinary and incomprehensible level of dedication. Jim has exemplified the highest standards ofservice during this time, while providing strong leadership and building a department that is a source ofpride for those of us who serve, our neighbors in town, and neighbors and partners throughout the County. Tonight we express our deep appreciation to Jim, Lu, and Sophie, Tom, Jill, and Lacey, for all you've done make the department what it is today, a source of confidence and pride for those who serve, our neighbors in Bluff, and firefighters and administrators throughout the County. In our department, helmets work sort of like belts do in kempo. You start out with black, move with experience to yellow, then maybe to red, and, white. We've never had an emeritus chief before, so we decided it would be fitting for the semi-retired chief to go back to black, representing humility, as well as the alleviation of major responsibility he's carried for 2 decades. So, members of the department and Kelly Pehrson gave personal donations, and the County kicked in a couple hundred more. It is with great pride and gratitude that we give this very special, classic leather helmet to Chief Hook. Jim, you have built a legacy for this department that it will be our duty and privilege to continue. Over and out, g. 2 COMMUNICATIONS Call 911 ( COMMUNICATIONS CENTER- San Juan Sheriff's Department (587-2237) CALL "SAN JUAN". Dispatch for Sheriff's Office, Ambulance (EMS), Search & Rescue, Fire To Report a Fire *Historically, call sheriff at 800+ number, they called Chief, K&C, or individual firefighters. *Now1) 911- immediately identifies the calling location on SO computer, but not necessarily the fire location. From cell phones this calls Emergency services closest to the tower receiving the call. Has been confusing. 2) ..!.::.800-269-7911 for areas on the reservation not in the 911 system yet. 3) Radio- Other county employees 4) Walk ins- ie come right to the Lodge, ie the accident 9/18/99 5) Burglar Alarms- ie K&C To Alert VFD 1) Pagers- We have 6 in town. 5- 2 person groups share for 6 months, also 1 always with the Recapture (RL) receptionist. Activated from "SAN JUAN". 2) Siren- Sounded automatically with pagers by SAN JUAN for 40 seconds. Needs reset after each alarm, BEWARE LINE VOLTAGE! Breaker is outside on the south side of building. 3) Telephone- "SAN JUAN" to RL directly or pager, then RL calls phone tree. That call will must be kept very short and direct. "Fire at the School!" Practice with your phone answerers (kids especially). RADIO PROCEDURES When Using a radio 1) Be brief and to the point 2) Make sure the air is clear, don't cut into conversation. 3) Keep mike 1-2" from mouth, use a higher voice, do not shout 4) keep mike on the radio- can activate broadcast accidentally 5) Stay away from antennae when broadcasting- Burns & cancer 6) Use Common English instead of 10-codes. ?)Arrival/Progress Reports. Acknowledge pageout, request directions, report when enroute, when at scene, when leaving, and when "In-Service" back at the station. 8) Call for assistance- For a Deputy, Ambulance, or additional fire units request through the "SAN JUAN" Dispatch, don't call direct. Don't ask advise from "SAN JUAN", tell them what you want. Montezuma Creek VFD, Blanding, Mon. Valley VFD 9) Our call signsa. "Bluff Fire", Bluff Quik Response", Bluff Tender", etc. b. 1Z650 (CHIEF) 1Z651-1Z659 are available Bluff #s. Bluff Equipment 1) Mobil Radios- Truck mounted, most powerful for long range (safety). Power- Either on with key or you manually turn on after starting truck. (TURN OFF AFTER SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF) Controls- Volume, Squelch Scan Function- Radios listen to several frequencies but transmit on the priority channel only (exceptions). Don't try to reprogram during a call, too confusing. The microphone must be grounded for radio to scan. 2) Handheld Radios- 3 in station, 1 at RL. Less powerful, shorter broadcasting range but good receivers. Keep antennae high, change location for best transmission, know how to change batteries. 3) Pagers- Change batteries, low power signal, scan, reset. Frequencies & Repeaters "2"- Ambulance Priority. Also best for Fire Dept. long range communication. "4"- Sheriff's Law Enforcement. Second best for Fire long range. 2) 3) "11 "- San Juan Fire. Line of sight frequency. Stay on this for fire scene communication. Will not reach more than 5 miles or so. Abaja Peak Tower to TV tower over Bluff. Get to know dead air spaces, move to better location if not sending well, don't keep trying in bad locations. Push the microphone button down and pause slightly before speaking so the repeater can kick in. 1) ~ I \)Jl ('vv.-l . r ~ -tet.A.JN c(l_li);t_t!VJ b6-('J 1Y\-UJ r1.).,1,; wj l(}\1-.'X hc,;« ~ b M,~ d~ (l;t, ~ e; e 0. .., Kathy Carson From: Sent: To: Subject: Bluff Fire [[e-mail]] Saturday, September 03, 2016 10:47 AM Anthony Lott; Atsushi Yamamoto; Brandt Hart; Brant Murray; Gary Lichtenstein; Jill Hook; Josh Ewing; Kristen Bushnell; lacey hook; Liam Downey; Malyssa Egge; Mitch McComb; Ned Krutsky; [e-mail]; Ron Clark; Sandy Mailliard; Thomas Hook; Vaughn & Marcia Hadenfeldt; Britt Hornsby; dawn dilego; [e-mail]; [e-mail] Border Fire Thanks so much to Denny, Mitch, Jim, Gary, Vaughn, and Josh for spending their prime sleeping hours this morning at the structure fire down at the Utah/Arizona border. We had to run through the same tasks that we typically would share with a second or even third department, and tackled them all safely and efficiently. For those of us who weren't able to receive word of the call, we're working on getting you connected to pages and also on some really amazing improvements to the siren system that will proudly rebroadcast the tones across the valley. The 1z503 crew stood by us in the dark in case we hurt ourselves beyond the usual aches and pains of tearing a steaming house apart, and kept us hydrated and rested. Thanks Kathy, Dessa, and Malyssa. For those of you who spent time in the smoke last night, please take an opportunity to cycle your turnouts through the washer and the drying racks. We'll talk a bit more about this at this month's training meeting. Finally, the UFRA Firefighter 1/11 class will begin on the 15th of this month. If you think you'd like to attend, even if you're not sure you can be there for the whole thing but would like to try it out, let me know and we'll get a book for you and get you signed up. It's free training, and some of the most enjoyable time you'll spend as a firefighter. And if you are taking classes in Moab at the Regional Fire School, let us know that too, and David Gallegos will take care of lodging for us. Thanks everyone. Safe travels, Anthony Anthony Lott Bluff Fire Department PO Box 316 Bluff, Utah 84512 1 Print Subject: 3/19/17, 9:10 AM Thanks Bluff Fire ([e-mail]) To: [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; Date: Wednesday, January 4, 2017 11 :21 AM DearBVFD, I've been wanting to send out some thanks - first round will be to those of you from fire and EMS who got up at five-thirty am to help out at the rollover south of Halchita. I was apprehensive about how much patient care we might be looking at, and relieved that Kayenta was already on scene with ambulances, and that we were bringing a crew that could have tackled it even if we were the only responders. As that incident continued to unfold, Navajo PD moved into a deep and prolonged investigation of the crash, which is understandable, and we will enthusiastically keep law enforcement officers and other workers safe by controlling traffic during an emergency. However, as Jim and I approached our sixth hour of traffic control 1 thought we'd better have a conversation about this as a group. I will speak with Chief Gallegos about the particulars of this, but I wanted to pass along the suggestion that if you find yourself stuck at a motor vehicle incident that is stable (nothing on fire, no one needing rescue), and you need to get back to your work and life, please ask dispatch if they can send the State or County road crews to relieve you. Our specialty is taking care of the first really nasty hour or two of an emergency. After that, if possible, we should be passing the work along to the paid employees of the county. When I'm IC, I'll be doing all I can to get you back home as soon as possible. If I'm not there to advocate for you, then whoever is in charge should go ahead and ask dispatch for help getting people home. This brings me to my second round of thanks. Dawn and Mitch have accepted new roles as Captains in the department. They have both been with Bluff Fire for many years and I think that they are people we can naturally look to for help planning and staying organized through an incident. Please pass along your appreciation when you see them. I'll have their red hats available shortly. As always, thanks to all of you. Stay safe. Anthony nthony Lott Bluff Fire Department about:blank Page 1 of 2 ( Betty Gaines, May 7, 2018 We actually started the Bluff Fire Department in 1975. Betty started out as Assistant Chief. When the man who was elected chief was unable to spend enough time on the position, Betty became chief. In 1977, Betty was pregnant and expecting Brian. This caught the attention of a couple of correspondents for the San Juan Record. According to one, Betty "has had her photograph grace newspapers as far away as Atlanta, Georgia. My mom even sent a clipping from the LA Times. We in the Bluff Fire Department became known nationwide. The majority of FF were Bluff women. There was a quote in the SLTrib that said Melvin isn't at all upset that his wife, Betty, is fire chief. "Better her than me," he said. We had training, but not a lot of resources. We had a 20 year old tanker, helmets and coats. That was it in the beginning but Betty was always trying to get us the things that we needed. She served as our chief until 1995 when she said it was time to step down and that the town needed someone younger to take on the leadership of BVFD. She said, "I've been fire chief for 18 years and its time to pass the torch." Thank you, Betty (and Melvin too), for leading the BVFD for so long. The torch was passed into capable hands and we have a great department to carry on your legacy. ( In San Juan Mortuary Danny S. Palmer, Director The family wishes to express their gratitude for your many kindnesses in thought and deed, and for your attendance at the funeral services. For upcoming viewing and funeral infonnation, go to www.sanjuanmortuary.com Memo ry In Loving Memory 'Betty Scliear {iaines Born: December 26, 1943 - Pleasant View, Colorado Died: May 3, 2018 - Blanding, Utah Services Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Bluff Cemetery Officiating: Craig Sharp (Nephew) Family Prayer ...... '. ..... , .......•... :.-... :........ Jeff Anderson (Son-in-law) Prelude ................................. :....... Anna Hart and Randy Bouchard Invocation ............................................. Shirley Gaines (Daughter) Life History ....... ,. .............................. Donna And:rson (paughter) Tribute ............................................................. Bnan Games (Son) Tribute ................................................................ Bill Gaines (Son) Closing Remarks .............. ................ .......... Craig Sharp (Nephew) Benediction .................................... ................ Kathy Sharp (Niece) Postlude ....................................... Anna Hart and Randy Bouchard Interment: BluffCemetery Pallbearers Bill Gaines (Son) Brian Gaines (Son) Jeff Anderson (Son-in-law) Garrett Gaines (Grandson) Troy Perry (Grandson) Tyler Cook (Nephew) Honorary Pallbearers Melvin Gaines (Husband) Bob Strode (Brother-in-law) Jacob McBride (Grandson) Craig Sharp (Nephew) Vance Nielson (Former boss and family friend) Duke Simpson (Family friend) Jerry Howell (Family friend) Marx Powell (Family friend) A Chief's Prayer When the morning sun lights the highway, making twisted metal glare And long shadows mark debris that's strewn all over there When cool dawn peace is jarred by hydraulic jaws And urgent radio chatter drowns out the raven's caws Bless our crews today, and those we've come to save Bless our f amities and keep them safe while we are away When summer heat ignites and thick smoke darkens mid-day skies And our crews respond to threatened homes and troubled neighbors' cries When we don our packs and hydrants flow and pumps begin to whine And we pray our training is enough and that we've arrived in time Bless our crews today and those we've come to save Bless our f amities and keep them safe while we are away When the town siren's wail breaks the stillness of the night And EMS and Fire rush to save a person's life When a heart fails, blood spills, or halting breath turns skin to blue And the roads are icy, miles long, and minutes seem too few Bless our crews tonight and those we've come to save Bless our f amities and keep them safe while we are away When my time is ended and I take my rest and no longer jump to the pagers' tones When my breath has ceased and spirit leaves and the cold sets in my bones And I wander in the in-between where word and deed are shown Lord rescue me, give me strength, and take me safely home Bless my family, bless my crews, keep them safe while I am away Bless our families, bless our crews, keep them safe, I pray. Gary Lichtenstein l ( From: Jim Hook [e-mail] Subject: Bluff, Stay Fire Aware! Date: May 24, 2019 at 8:48 PM To: Jim Hook [e-mail] • I From: Bluff Fire [mailto:[e-mail]] Sent: Friday, May 24, 2019 7:42 AM Dear Bluff Resident, While we're all enjoying the wet spring weather, we'll soon dry out as hot temperatures return and summer approaches. Now is the best time to cut down your lawns (and weeds) before they dry out and become hazardous. In the summer heat the sparks from a trimmer or mower can ignite the grass chaff and start fires that spread quickly from home to home. Please take steps to protect yourself and your neighbors by reducing fuels around your house and cutting fire breaks (paths 3 to 4 feet wide cleared of vegetation) between your yard and adjacent yards. Bluff Fire Department volunteers have put together the attached guidelines for properly mitigating your property against potential fire hazards. Additionally, the BVFD can help you assess your property and help you locate fire breaks. Feel free to email ·[e-mail]) or call [phone] for assistance. Finally, if you want to burn material you've gathered from your yard you can do so up until June 1st by calling [phone] for a permit. After June 1st open burning is banned without permission from the San Juan County Fire Warden (see attached information). Thanks everyone, and stay safe! Anthony Lott- Chief Bluff Fire and Rescue u F, HO E IG TIO ZO E TAY FIR D FUEL TRE T E T ZO ES AWAR EAR N I TE F CE HO Non-co, l>ust ilJle area 3 foel out from home Ret.luc fuel !oat.I, keep lean nd green; few trees. w II prun d Prune nd thin trees and hrubs IC l J I E ( • M t n t in y rd ow ry out in p rmlt • O nd oth r it m nd lo i luff • C n c n we d before h y o n h Im urnl t b b rn d, Burn barrels re rt Jun 1 nc In m n ry g yo r f r b rn permit: t y Bluff Fire Aware.docx ( (43 ) 459-0704 ff (43 ) 87 2237