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Show 4A Lakeside Review, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 1983 Team is 'Uncommon' for Roy Fire Department Husband-Wif- e average of 70 miles a week, with Al covering 50 miles and Helen By SHELLEY KANCITIS Review Correspondent r o ROY It is a quiet night at the DeCoste household in Roy. While A1 studies, Helen updates her crowded calendar. Their three teenagers trade wisec-rack- s as they talk on the phone and watch television. Suddenly an ever present beeper blares out Roy Citys fire signal. Al, 40, and Helen, 39, race for their turn-ou- t gear 25 pounds each of hats, boots, averaging 20 miles. In addition, certified emergency Al is a medical technician (EMT) and Helen qualifies in advanced first aid and cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Describing themselves as late bloomers, the DeCostes have joined the world of amateur athletic achievers fairly recently. When I was a kid, I was always picked last when we divided up for teams in school, said Helen. She used to be coats, pants and red suspenders. In minutes they run to their car, arrive on the scene of a fire ic and overweight but Al became her key to physical fitness. Al encouraged me to go jogging with him. The first time I only went a quarter mile and decided it was cruel and abusive treatment. After many months of viewing her daily runs as a civilized form of torture, she gradually began to enjoy the process as evidenced by her competition this year in an Antelope Island 10 mile race. One of my current personal goals is to run the St, George marathon, said Helen. The DeCostes chomp personal goals the way E.T. pops Reeses in handfuls. Al is a pieces prime example. He did not start skiing until he was 30 years old. Through a combination of ability and persistence, he advanced in less than six years to becoming a ski patroller. Skiing led to his other athletic I dislocated my obsessions. knee skiing and had to exercise it so I started running and bicycling. Unlike most people, his introduction to running was an 11 mile race. A friend invited me to enter and said it would be a slow pace. It sounded easy so I trained a little and then ran the race, said Al. He managed to complete the competition but could barely walk for two weeks and quickly begin hauling hose. Al and Helen are two of the newest part-tim- e rookies on the Roy City Fire Department and members of an exclusive, but growing group of husband-wif- e fire fighting teams. I absolutely love challenges, said Helen who has bitten off some big ones in her latest quest. She and Al face over 20 hours of intensive fire fighting training conducted by Ron Hales, Roy City Fire Departments training officer. During the training they will face challenges which include running blinded through a maze with a 35 pound air pack on their backs, and entering a smoke filled training tower at Hill AFB where they will remain until their air pack sounds a warning bell. Theyll have five minutes to find their way out before the air is exhausted, said Hales. This simulates a real fire and tests their ability to physically and mentally handle stress. If Helen can cut it, thats great, but she wont get any special attention, emphasized Hales. Well treat her just like anyone else. Aside from challenges, both DeCostes are community minded. Helens primary motivation for joining the force is to help others. If I can prevent any . afterward. Im not really athletic, said DeCoste, who remembers being the slowest kid to run to first base. Anybody can run. It just property damage or personal injury, it will be tremendously gratifying. As a member of the Snow Basin ski patrol, Al is already takes perseverance. Als definition of perseverance would blow Websters right off the page. An example was his preparation for a Heber stead. Valley triathalon. He completed an The DeCostes are exceptionit in the top 25 percent ally suited for their new role. A accomplishment which refact which Roy City Fire Chief quired swimming one mile, cyRichard Waters recognized dur- cling 40 miles and running 13.1 ing the initial interview process. miles. Al decided he wanted to enIf a person can run over 100 miles a month, he has to be in ter, said Helen, but hes not a good physical condition, said swimmer so he got up every Waters. morning at 5 and swam laps at Together the DeCostes run an the Roy Recreation Complex. involved in helping others. He considered joining Weber Countys motorcycle rescue squad, but decided to fight fires in- - FT a feel women I the basics. should have a chance at anything they feel they can do, said Helen. We are raising our children to believe this." Im not out to prove anything, she adds. I just want an equal opi) portunity to contribute. Chief Waters sensed this at& titude when he interviewed Helen. We didnt feel she expected any special considerations, said Waters who is more concerned about having a husband-wif- e team than dealing with his first woman firefighter. "I asked them during the interview if they would be concerned about both being in a burning building at the same time, said Waters. They said it wouldnt matter. While optimistic, Waters still worries their concern for each other could cause problems. Unlike the chief, the children Im not seem unperterbed. concerned about my parents both fighting fires as long as theyre home in time to cook dinner, laughed Debbie. No dinners have been missed since the DeCostes are only in AL AND HELEN DeCoste month probation which tests them for their enjoy a lighter their first month of a six month moment at the Roy Fire Department. The be the on to Roy ability Department. probationary period. Until they are formally trained, the DeDeCoste's are in their first month of a six- Costes either observe or handle At first he could barely do one pavement, Al clearly intends to courses, the DeCoste household jobs which are not critical. A recent small fire provided length without stopping to hang continue. Its fun, like being a regrouped and began a system on to the side, but he worked up little kid again. Why stop having which met initial resistance, but the DeCostes with a taste of the to swimming a mile a day. a good time when you get is now an accepted pattern. future. I happened to be at the this older? achievement Other than cooking and long fire station when an alarm rang Naturally led to a new goal which repreDeCostes unconventional term household maintenance, so I got to ride the truck to the sents his ultimate dream view of fun reflects an evolutio- the teenage DeCostes handle fire instead of driving our car, competing in the famed iron nary process which has chang- most household chores. A plan said Helen. It was fantastic. We saw the flames as we man competition, a triathalon ed Helen and Als view of them- which Al and Helen think preheld in Hawaii. selves and each other. When pares them for adult responapproached the area. I helped For now Al is content to do we were first married, it was sibilities. pull the hose over a fence and Now the kids do all the work after they got the fire under things like ride his bike to the along traditional lines. Helen St. George marathon and then cooked and I watched. When our and we have all the fun, teases control, I helped hose it down, run the 26.2 mile course. He also children arrived, I still didnt Al, who attributes his ability to said Helen. About 40 minutes ran a marathon in Scottsdale, cook or clean and I didnt help accept and even appreciate He- into the fire I happened to notice Arizona and qualified for the change diapers. Helen was sup- lens new role to his basically Al was standing next to me. Chief Waters, who keeps close Boston Marathon, one of his posed to so she did. and flexible atDe1983. life. Youve got track of his people, is pleased for As titude toward their three children, projects Running is getting a bit bbie, 17, Susan, 16, and David, to change as you mature or you with his new recruits. On the three fires theyve been involvroutine, so Al rides his bicycle 14, matured and required less get stagnant. One thing that has not chang- ed with theyve done a super job for diversion; a diversion which time, Helen found she needed is approaching record breaking stimulation. My parents ed is their contrasting per- for us. Neither DeCoste professes raised me very traditionally, sonalities. Helens face dramatproportions. Almost everyday, regardless of weather, Al rides but as I got older and my ically reflects each new emotion much fear about their new enhis bike from Roy to his civil awareness of the world in- and her hands puncutate impor- deavor. If youre well preservice job at Defense Depot creased, I found I didnt want to tant points. She spews out words pared, you concentrate on doing with whirlwind force, laughing the best job you can and forget limit myself. Ogden, a 16 mile round trip. She enrolled at Weber State, and grimacing at her thoughts about the rest, said Al. Clothing his 65 frame in asAs Helens enthusiasm about sorted paraphernalia, including completed a degree in carpenalmost surprised at what she her new activity ricochets electric socks and battery try and millwork and worked hears herself say. operated lights on his legs, Al briefly as a cabinetmaker. Except for a tapping foot, Al around the room, Debbie is askmounts his bicycle which is dissits When the quietly, straining his words ed whether she considers it for to have her mother tinguished by a large curved homebuilding collapsed, Helen like a miner panning for gold, windshield and braves cars and returned to college and got a making sure no thought escapes fight fires. With a look of pride, snowballs on his lengthy degree in business administra- without his knowledge. Only his mixed with exasperation, she tion. She currently holds a full- wry sense of humor affords a says, My mother is not a comjourney. mon woman. A statement Admitting to occasional hair time civil service position in peek into his feelings. Salt Lake City. raising experiences as he comDespite temperamental dif- which succinctly describes the When Helen first started her ferences, Al and Helen agree on entire DeCoste household. petes with cars for a piece of open-minde- d, market Seeks Volunteers For Tax Review Program IRS The Internal Revenue Service wants to help you provide a community service by helping others. Beginning in late January or February there will be more than 50 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations in Utah and about half that number of Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites stretching from Logan to St. George. Volunteers who are willing to staff these sites are being recruited now and will be given training as early as Jan. 3 in Salt Lake City. Other locations will also provide traiing in Jau-nar- y. For more information or to volunteer to become a part of these programs, call Jan Hador ley or Bill Craig at 7 in Salt Lake City. Or e number call the 524-404- 0 524-529- toll-fre- VITA is designed to provide free tax assistance to elderly, handicapped and dual language taxpayers who cannot afford professional help. TCE is primarily for elderly taxpayers needing assistance with their federal and state returns. Volunteers are trained by the IRS to provide assistance on 1040 A, simple tax returns low-incom- e, 1040-E- Z and 1040 with schedules A and B. People with more complex returns should seek profes- sional tax assistance. Last year about 6,000 Utahns received free assistance from VITA and TCE volunteers in preparation of federal and state tax returns or who had tax questions answered. Volunteers usually once or twice a month during the filing season (January to April 15) for two hours at a location closest to their home usually at a library, senior citizen, or community center. Screening for Cancer To be Held in Kaysville womens cancer screening clinic, Jan. 13, beginning at 9 a.m., will be held in the KaysA ville Crestwood LDS Center, 550 N. 100 E. Appointments are necessary, and may be made by calling The Utah Cancer ScreenControl Program. The proging ram sponsors periodic screening in cooperation with the Utah 533-671- 2, Division of American Society. Cancer Clinic includes PAP test, pelvic and breast examination and blood pressure check. Hemoccult test for home testing for colorectal cancer are dispensed. A minimal fee based on family size and income is charged. Jllimil U H U H H Men's Joel, Levi, Kennington Reg. to $30 4 4fr 44 it it hit 4444444 44444444m Men's Meeting At the Heritage Center Levi, Wrangler, Joval t $20 Reg. $30 Van Heusen 88.1288 $799 Reg. to $28 Reg. WESTERN SHIRTS SPORT SHIRTS 4 4 Peter $999.$i2" piXgiass MI1M B, Kennington, Jantzen 1 4 CORDUROY JEANS 4 4 Farah, Wrangler, 4 4 S1 2- 5 4 4 4 Reg. to $29 Men's 4 4 $g99.$l 399 to $22 $44444444444444444444441 9 44444 44444 44444 4 44444444-irtr- 4 DRESS SHIRTS 1444444444444444444444444 w $15-$2- Men's SWEATERS ! Karman, Wrangler Reg. 44444444444444444444449 Men's Knit and $499.$g99 4 Men's Levi 4 SPORT SHIRTS Peter B, Kennington Men's j 444444444444444444444441 Boy's 4 4 Reg. $ I - sl 5 00 12 t I HUnnUUUUUUUHUUuuBPUUM, . 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 $699-$10- 00 4 4 f COTTON FLANNEL SHIRTS MIKIIU DENIM JEANS 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 HU Men's Blue 4 4 4 4 4 4 $4?9$1 299 4 IBWHHMBHlei V4 4 SPORT SHIRTS 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Reg. to $29 NARFE Plans 4 4 Reg. ly at (NARFE) will be held Jan. 12:30 p.m. at the Heritage Center. President Johnson set a goal last year of doubling the membership this ye art They lack on- - meeting. to$28 $200 5ues$1250 GLASS MERCHANDISE $11 500 RACKS SHOW CASE 50 Aft CCS 4 DRESS or m RACKS member to the January Matters of interest to retirees will be discussed and a committee will be selected to nominate officers and committee members for the coming year. Hash 4444444444444444444444444&W1 44444444444444444444444441 Circular Traveling 3 3 -l 15 more members to achieve that goal, so every member is encouraged to bring a new The regular monthly meeting of Clearfield Chapter No. 752 of the National Association of Re- tired Federal Employees 12 SMS (MMC 'Qffl eOffl Cniy $9tl00 |