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Show 6 - SUNNY TIMES - MARCH 1994 More FIREFIGHTERS from Page 1 produced by members of the brigade, the money going into the fire depart- I made a couple of calls and both people said “Ask Valli,” so that’s what ate and danced on a new cement foundation. By the second year the building was up, the crew was slightly ment pot. The first year a good crowd I did. Valli Smouse sewed for ten years start. It’s a pretty impressive story. After the tragedy our truck was smaller, news of the event had spread, and 199 people attended, mostly from Moab. The party got out of hand, there was too much drinking, and the donated by the Forest Service, with the understanding that if there was a fire in department decided not to have any more barbecues. This was when they the LaSals a crew would respond, decided to go for the Special Fire which they did. The group began meeting at private homes, mostly Frank Mendonca's and Dave Durrant's. The fire truck was unprotected in the winter months for the first couple of years. It seems that Dave and Robin Donoghue were the main forces behind getting the firehouse. The land was leased from the state for 99 years, and alliances were developed with the Castle Valley Academy and the people of Castleton. We needed to work together. The proposed firehouse was to be situated between Castleton and Castle Valley—well, actually a bit closer to Castleton since the fire truck would have a much harder time traveling uphill. Things changed when it became necessary to join the special services district to gain some steady funding. At that point Castleton residents decided to withdraw and avoid paying taxes. Our truck always responded when they needed us, and will continue to do so. Service District. The fire department was doing amazing things during that period, in an as a CV fire fighter and was there at the The first two years, fund raiser barbecues were held—supporters effort to get trained and equipped. They secured grants with which to build the firehouse, then got it built. They set up a rigorous weekly program—one session for training, the other for firehouse and equipment maintenance. They intended to be ready. They tried out the "fireman’s carry" on their companions—climbing fire ladders to "rescue" crew members from the top of the front gate; they practiced surviving smoke bombs and simulated fires; they learned to control the hoses; they imported guest trainers; the POA paid one-half the training costs so some First chiefs and approximate number of years they served: Dave Durrant (1), Frank Mendonca (3 or 4), John McGann (5 or 6), Dave Seibert (1). Crew members: Barbara & Kevin McGann, Curt Stoughton, Valli Smouse, Dennis D’Agnese, Lou & JoAnn Schmidt, Frank Mendonca, Pat & Ron Drake, Al Bricker, Bill Bouldeu, Margaret Doles, Bill McClure. Thank you all, and I’m sorry if I’ve left anyone out. Additional installments of this story, based on M firsthand recollections are most welcome. Cheers and thanks to Floyd Stoughton, our present chief, and the rest of our neighbors now on standby even as they practice their skills and help train new crew members. Our group is much too small at present. We need about 15 or 20 trained people on our crew. It is a vital service and a wonderful experience, according to Valli. And it is crucial to our valley’s safety and well-being. The fire department is always looking for good women and men 18 years or older. We definitely need you. —Cris Coffey (with thanks to Valli, Floyd, & Melody) valley residents could become emer- gency medical technicians; Civil Defense gave them a red Dodge pickup truck. It was a dynamic period with everything happening at once. In the summer they would fill up the tank from a 7th Day irrigation Another way to help: The fire department needs a job manager—someone to find and organize some volunteer labor at the firehouse. We have all the materials to insulate and make our firehouse much valve, though the creek was really more comfortable and complete. How easier; in the winter everything was about a FD work crew? paying for a meal cooked by Bill more complicated. John McGann used Boulden and Dutch Gerhardt— cowboy potatoes, with beef and fresh asparagus from Tommy White’s ranch—and to check the fire truck every winter night, just to make sure it would start if GOOD NEWS needed. Mill Creek Canyon Protected Congratulations to the 40 DEM OTWIM {BLISS Ken cfi’ Kutli Jofinson witfi tfieirfamily amffi‘iemfi invite a[[ to an openfiouse in tfieir lionor. Monday, flprif4tfi 4 pm. to 7pm. — L505. C/iurcli ’Pfaue, nagifts. BLM for closing the lower sections of Mill Creek Canyon (left and right hand forks) to vehicles. And thanks to the CV residents who wrote letters supporting the protection of this beautiful canyon. |