Food Baskets Delivered to McNary/Hon-Dah Residents

During these tough economic times, everybody is feeling the pinch, some more than others. But thanks to the White Mountain Fire Fighter’s Association’s and the generous donation of people and local businesses, those in need received a holiday food box with non-perishable food items, including a gift certificate to Wal-Mart for additional food items.

The food boxes were collected and sorted by the WMFFA and distributed to more than 100 families on the White Mountain, including residents in the Hon-Dah and McNary Communities. Firefighters from the White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue, Hon-Dah Fire Station, delivered over fifteen (15) food boxes to needy residents.

Deputy Chief Brock from the Hon-Dah Fire Station knows that there is a much greater need within the community than those boxes delivered. It is during the holidays when people seem to act, but people are in need all year round, he says. “You can help all year around, by donating to your local food shelter; whether that is your local church, food bank, or organizations such as the WMFFA.” In addition to food items, Deputy Chief Brock says, “don’t forget about clothing, baby stuff and personal hygiene items.”

For more information on how you can donate, contact your local donation center.

Deputy Chief Attends HazMat Management Course

When it comes to hazard materials (HazMat) incidents the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have a lot to say about it. Both agencies set personnel competencies for responders and incident commanders when working with HazMat in the emergency setting and the documentation requirements to improve responder safety. Although NFPA is related more to emergency responders, OSHA makes it clear that they are also for the industrial worker.

Because HazMat can affect people, property and the environment days to years after an incident has occurred, OSHA and NFPA require that incident commanders understand all the rules and regulations that apply to them in terms of response, safety, documentation and agency cooperation. Although OSHA only requires a minimum of 24 hours of incident command training, very often this is not enough because most courses only simulate a HazMat incident and don't focus on the documenation process enough.

To help prepare incident commanders to effectively coordinate and manage resources within a HazMat environment, the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) created the Leadership and Management of Surface Transportation Incidents (LMSTI) course.

The LMSTI is a 40 hour course that utilizes NIMS/ICS guidelines and is designed to prepare participants in leadership and management of WMD/WME HazMat incidents involving surface (rail and highway) transportation. The course integrates with the HazMat/WMD Technician for Surface Transportation course and actually requires participants to lead and manage incidents under NIMS/ICS guidelines and structures. Challenging, in-depth planning and decision-making processes are involved, which helps prepare participants in managing and documenting responses to real-world emergencies involving surface transportation incidents in their communities.

Deputy Fire Chief Jacob Brock, who attended this course in Pueblo, Colorado, stated that this course was paperwork intensive. HazMat incidents, he said, “are slow operations, because federal mandates, such as OSHA, and national standards such as NFPA, require a written incident action plan (IAP) for all modes of operation. The formalization of the IAP is an OSHA and NFPA requirement, and without it, should an injury or death occur, not including environmental damage, the incident commander can be held liable.” Deputy Chief Brock said very often people want to react quickly to a haz-mat incident but they can’t. This class, he said, was “no joke” as it made him aware of his responsibility as an incident commander to these incidents and just how intensive the documentation process must be.

SERTC is Colorado's State Training Center for Domestic Preparedness and is funded in part for eligible responders through DHS/FEMA. For Deputy Chief Brock, all expenses were paid, excluding meals, through DHS/FEMA funding.

For more information on SERTC and the HazMat training they offer, visit them at www.hazmattraining.com.

Fire & Rescue Benefits from Eagle Scout Project

Thanks to Chandler Brady and his Eagle Scout Project the Whiteriver Fire Station 810 got a new “face lift”. Due to the financial difficulties that the Tribe is facing, funds have not been available to restore the station. The project consisted of painting the entire interior of the station and performing some minor electrical and plumbing repairs.

Chandler, a sophomore at Blue Ridge High School, is a member of the same church that Firefighter Ralph Mangan attends in Show Low. One Sunday Chandler asked Ralph if he knew of any projects that needed to be completed in the Whiteriver Community that he could undertake to obtain his Eagle Scout Award. After some discussion it was decided that Chandler would head up the restoration of Station 810.

Chandler planned the project with Ralph and Station 810’s Deputy Fire Chief J. Whipple. He worked with local businesses, friends, and associates on obtaining donations of equipment, supplies and labor. He also arranged for a group of volunteers to work along side of the firefighters to perform the work. Chandler estimated that the he personally devoted approximately 253 hours to the project and that the volunteers and the firefighters spent a combined total of 122 hours working at the station.

The Fire Department would like to thank the following businesses and individuals that contributed to the success of the restoration project as well as Chandler’s Eagle Scout Project: Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Jones Painting, Mountain Paint Center, Sherwin-Williams, AZ Central Heating Supply, Barber Plumbing, Pinetop Pawn Company, Satellite Connection, Lon Hoffman’s Farmers Insurance, Horne Collision Center, Hatch Toyota, Center Tire, Toy Trader, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Ultra Sound Specialties, High Five Signs, YESCO, Dr. Paxman, Dr. Savage, Rance Pullin, and Ellison.

Public Safety Departments Can't Help You If They Can't Find You!!

The 9-1-1 Physical Address Committee is again busy improving the current address system. When this project first started in the mid 1990s personnel used hand drawn maps and vehicle odometers (to determine distances) in creating the address system. Now, thanks to modern technology (Computers, GPS, aerial photography, etc.) and thanks to the GIS Group at Tribal Forestry the system has been greatly improved. However, the committee still needs your help! Residents need to learn, post, and use their physical addresses properly.

Addressing the Canyon Day Community has been a real problem due to the many scattered homes that are located off the main roads. However, with this new technology the addressing of Canyon Day is finally completed. A new map with all of the Canyon Day addresses has been posted at the Canyon Day Convenience Store. All Canyon Day Community members are encouraged to check the map to find your address. Most former addresses remain the same and a few have been changed. Many houses never had addresses assigned them. So learn your new address.

A committee member is also going door to door in Canyon Day distributing letters that documents your correct addresses and encourages you to purchase address numbers to put on your house. Be sure to indicate your correct address on your utility bills where it says "Change of Address" (Frontier Communications (telephone), Navopache Electric, Tribal Utility, Satellite Companies, etc.) Be sure to notify the post office of your change of address as well.

The committee and the public safety departments strongly urge all home owners to be sure their correct addresses are posted on their houses. Address numbers can be purchased at most hardware stores (Ace, Home Depot, Lowe's, Wal-Mart, etc.). They do not have to be red & white, just make sure they are reflective so they can be seen in the dark. Most stores sell the black & white reflective numbers and various decorative type numbers.

Originally the address number, street signs, posts, and hardware were purchased through an Injury Prevention Grant. Those funds and supplies are long gone. If any organization has funding to purchase the numbers and tin plates please contact me. It costs $820 to purchase one hundred sets of numbers (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9). The tin plates used to install the numbers are $2.50 regardless of the size. The committee asks that you contact Fire Chief Paul D. Kuehl at 1-928-338-1701 if your organization has funding available to help purchase these numbers.

The fire department was able to purchase new street signs and posts recently with federal stimulus funds that came through the Tribal Transportation Committee. These funds were used to purchase over 350 new street signs and posts to replace those that were damaged due to careless drivers, or missing due to vandalism and thefts. It costs over $100 per intersection to replace these signs.

Housing Authority purchased the new street signs for Sunset Heights, the new subdivision at Fort Apache Junction. The three new streets in this subdivision are named after Miguel (Escapa), Diablo (Eskininla), and Pedro. They were three of the four Apache chiefs who met with Major John Green of the U.S. 1st Cavalry in 1869 and agreed to the creation of a military post at the confluence of the East and North Forks of the White River. Eskiltesela was the fourth Apache chief at the time.

The committee apologizes for any inconveniences you may encounter by changing your physical address. Remember, these changes are necessary to improve the system. People, delivery services, and most importantly the public safety departments will find you more quickly with the improved and update system and with the correct and highly visible address on your houses.

WMAFR Receives Equipment Funding Assistance

Determining how to provide a much needed service and doing it safely and efficiently is one dilemma. Determining how to fund it, given the financial constraints of the Tribe, is another. But thanks to District V Navajo County Board of Supervisor Jerry Brownlow and Assistant County Manager E.L. "Dusty" Parsons, the White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue is on their way to do both.

On December 7, 2011 at the Hon-Dah Public Safety Complex, Mr. Brownlow and Mr. Parsons presented a cost sharing check in the amount of $2,500 to help the White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue purchase some much needed rescue equipment. This new equipment will enable firefighters to perform rescue and recovery work more safely and efficiently.

The Department is always in need of equipment, whether it is to replace old and worn out equipment, or to purchase specialized equipment for the first time. Because specialized equipment is designed to overcome specific obstacles, it is very expensive and often times cost prohibitive.

One such obstacle that rescuers face during rope rescue/recovery incidents is the edge of the cliff. During these operations, firefighters have to counteract excessive forces caused by friction when the ropes goes over the cliff's edge. Such forces and stress jeopardizes not only the integrity of the equipment, but also the safety of the firefighters and the victim.

With the additional funding from Navajo County, the Department will be able to purchase a high directional tri-pod (see picture). Although the uses for a high directional tri-pod are limitless, the most frequent is to reduce cliff edge trauma in raising and lowering systems. The end result is a safer and more efficient rope rescue/recovery operation.

The White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue would like to thank Navajo County for these funds, and for enabling the department to provide better and safer service to their residents and visitors of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

Ten New Firefighters Honored

After successfully completing the White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue’s Fire Academy, ten students were honored during a ceremony held at the Whiteriver Unified School District’s Conference Room on September 15th.

The new firefighters that were honored are: Sharon Baha, Gillespie Childs, Timathea Ethelbah, Esther Hernasy, Jonidean Hood, Vincent Larzelere, Savanah Martinez, Priscilla Skidmore, Shelly Smith, and Sarah Tessay.

This fire academy was very successful due to the coordinated efforts of the Tribal WIA Program and the Fire Department. After a thorough screening process nineteen students were selected to participate. Deputy Chiefs Jacob Brock and Jerold Whipple were the certified lead instructors for the academy that began on April 4 and ended on August 19, 2011.

Deputy Chief Cole was the master of ceremonies. The event began with the posting of the colors by members of the American Legion Post 60. After the invocation by Pastor Robert Jiminez, Chief Paul Kuehl read an excerpt from the book Cochise comparing the learning process of the young firefighters to that of the young Apache warriors more than one hundred years ago. Mr. Curtis Suttle, USMC (Retired), was the guest speaker. He shared his experience as a Marine and the importance of setting one’s short and long term goals. He encouraged them to continue their education and to advance up through the ranks. Chief Brock then spoke to the assembly about the actual training aspects of the academy. Priscilla Skidmore, spoke on behalf of the class, thanking everyone, family members and staff, for their support. After viewing the Academy Highlights video, the chief officers presented the certificates to the new firefighters. Pastor Jiminez provided the closing prayer and blessing.

Ten Students Successfully Complete Fire Academy

On August 17, 2011 Fire Academy Class 2011-4 completed their five (5) month long training (approximately 530 hours) to become structural and wildland fire fighters.

Fire Academy Class 2011-4, the fourth (4) academy conducted by the White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue Department, began April 5, 2011. Students attended class two to four times a week, learning how to combat and prevent fires and perform basic rescue work, while learning about the culture and history of the fire service and the team concept needed to be effective and safe in the job.

In an effort to increase the number of Tribal member fire fighters, the White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue, in cooperation and assistance from the Workforce Initiative Act (WIA) office, held the fire academy during the summer months. Over 25 people were screened for selection, and in the end nineteen were accepted into the program. Of the nineteen, and through attrition, only ten (10) were allowed to take their State Exam to become Certified Firefighters. State testing results are currently pending.

Training for these recruits will continue into the fall to receive their medical training and certification. When these recruits become certified fire fighters and medical providers (e.g. EMR or EMT), they will be eligible for full-time employment with the White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue, and possibly other fire and EMS departments in the region.

Fire Academy Class 2011-4 was an approved course authorized by the Arizona Center for Fire Service Excellence, formerly the Arizona State Fire Marshal’s Office. The course was designed to meet and/or exceed the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Standard 1001 – Professional Qualification for Fire Fighters, 2008 Edition.

The White Mountain Apache Fire & Rescue would like to thank the WIA Office, BIA Forestry, S&D Auto, Eagledancer Youth and Family Services, the Inter Tribal Council Association of Arizona, and the family and friends of the students who supported them.

Ready, Set, Go!

The Wallow Fire as of June 9, 2011 has claimed 386,690 acres and 29 homes. All of these homes met or intermingled with undeveloped wildland vegetation; which firefighters call the Wildland Urban Interface, or WUI. As people move further into these natural areas to take advantage of the privacy, natural beauty and available lands, fire service organizations are confronted with new challenges – preventing WUI fire disasters.

Research suggests that “the only effective home protection treatment is treatment in, on, and around the house” and “homeowners must be responsible for protecting [their] property” (Nowicki 2001, p. 1:3). U.S. Forest Service research scientist, Jack Cohen also stated that “home ignitions are not likely unless flames and firebrand ignitions occur within 40 meters (131 feet) of the structure” and “the WUI fire loss problem primarily depends on the home and its immediate site” (qtd. Nowicki 2001, 2:4). Therefore, preventing or minimizing WUI fire disasters involves property owners creating buffer zones around their home and property. Preventing wildfire disasters also means fire agencies must help property owners mitigate the vulnerability of their structures.

In the effort to educate the community, the Ready, Set, Go! program was designed to provide firefighters with the tools for the job, and to help teach individuals how to be ready for wildland fire - utilizing existing preparedness tools like Firewise; to have situational awareness when a fire starts; and to leave early for the safety to themselves and firefighters. The program seeks to make residents and fire departments partners in the wildland fire solution.

Ready, Set, Go! was introduced in California in May of 2010 to educate residents about what is now a year-round threat of wildfire. This program is designed to gain public involvement in reducing life and property loss caused by wildfires. Ready, Set, Go! has the following three steps:

Get Ready – Take personal responsibility and prepare long before the threat of a wildland fire so your home is ready in case of a fire. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home. Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures. Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe spot. Plan escapes routes. Make sure all those residing within the home know the plan of action.

Get Set – Act immediately. Pack your vehicle with your emergency items. Stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media and your local fire department.

Go! – Leave early! Follow your personal action plan. Doing so will not only support your safety, but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat the fire.

It should be emphasized that Ready, Set, Go! is not a one-time program. It’s intended to effect permanent change in people and communities, making them safer and easier to defend by the firefighters. This type of change requires an ongoing educational effort and a long-term commitment on the part of the fire service and the public.

If you would like additional information, visit any of the links below, or contact your nearest fire station or Forestry department. Remember, your first step is to Get Ready!