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Show Volume XIV Issue XVI The Ogden Valley news Page November 1, 2007 Local Resident Don Taylor Runs for Board Seat on Weber County Fire District At 23, Ogden Valley resident Don Taylor graduated from the Los Angeles County Fire Department Academy. “I was very excited and looking forward to a long career of fire fighting.” That long career flashed by and in 2004, he retired from the L.A. Co. F.D. after 35 years of service. Taylor states, “What a great career—protecting the property of others and saving lives. I’ve been involved in fires like we have all seen on television lately, protecting homes from the flames of destruction. It is a very exciting and rewarding job. “After a 24 hour shift, I would come home to my wife Sue (married 35 years) and our three children, relating many of the different stories I had to tell, never thinking that those stories were making an impression on our son. There were funny things that happened in the station along with the dangerous situations that occurred on fires. “One afternoon we were dispatched to a brush fire. As we arrived on the scene, we found a fire in a canyon behind a neighborhood of homes. The incident commander told each captain of the strike team of engines to pick a home that they thought they could save, and then protect it from the roaring flames that were being pushed by the devil winds coming up the canyon. As we were driving up the street, we noticed an elderly lady standing on an elevated wooden porch at the rear of her home, spraying the brush with a garden hose. We stopped and told her she had to evacuate. While the fire was still down the canyon, once it started making a run up the canyon, with 1100 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures, a garden hose would not do a thing and this dear grandmother, most definitely, would be consumed. She looked at me and said she had to protect her home. I put my hand on her shoulder and promised her we would protect her home if she would leave the area. She agreed to evacuate her home, and now I had a promise to fulfill. “The fire was building up heat, enabling it to race up the canyon. This all happens very quickly, so I called for two, 1-3/4” hand lines to be brought in between the elderly woman’s home and her neighbor’s home. We couldn’t stand on her elevated porch because we wouldn’t be able to move around and we were going to need protection from the intense heat. The fire was almost on us now, so we knelt down, using the woman’s house as protection for our backs. We used the two, 1-3/4” lines with the nozzles set on wide fog as our only protection to stop the fire from burning the front and sides of our body. The fire was all around us now as we knelt down hiding behind our water shield. It takes all your nerve to stay still and let the water protect you. If either one $379,900 NANCY K. STUKAN Realtor®, e-PRO, GRI (801)-866-2848 Living@NancysEden.com www.NancysEden.com High Altitude Fitness Celebrates 1st Year Anniversary—Fitness Gym of us would have broken the protective water shield, or stood up, we would have been badly burned. We stayed still, and within two to three minutes, the A unique and successful front of the fire passed us by. We were then able to move out and start extinguishing the spot fires on the business promoting adult structures, the bushes, and trees around the homes. and children’s health and We saved the elderly woman’s home and I was able general wellbeing celebratto keep my promise to her. ed its first anniversary this October. Announces plans to expand at new location in Eden Clockwise from upper left: Sue, Don, Kerry, Scott, and Cindy Taylor. “This story, and many, many more, stayed with our son. After he graduated from Weber State University and began working in the business world, he realized he wanted an exciting and rewarding job like his dad had. “On June 16, 2007, I was asked to pin the fireman’s badge on our son Scott’s chest, and proudly pass on the tradition of helping and serving people in need. Scott is now a fire fighter for the Poudre Fire Authority in Ft. Collins, Colorado.” Taylor earned a Masters Degree inAdministration from Pepperdine University and worked in the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Administrative Bureau. Here he worked on the department’s budget, on the fair labor standards act, and or reorganization. He was a battalion training officer for nine years, lead a Fire Fighter’s Explorer’s Program, and was in charge of a paramedic crew. Taylor adds, “I would like to bring all this experience in fire fighting and rescue work, along with my administrative skills, to the Weber Fire District as a member of the Board of Trustees. I am willing to serve the community that I have been a resident of for the last ten years, but I need your support. Your vote this coming election will enable me to bring my skills and knowledge to the Weber Fire District, and serve the people of Weber County.” I am getting energy back into my life and my backside into my old jeans; it’s a beautiful thing and I want to congratulate High Altitude Fitness on its first anniversary!” During the month of November, the “The Ogden Valley community has staff at High Altitude Fitness would like opened its arms and embraced High to extend a personal invitation to any and Altitude Fitness in its first year of busi- all Valley residents to attend a class of ness,” noted High Altitude Fitness (HAF) their choice at no charge. “We didn’t know co-owners Caralee Burton where to begin in giving and Chandra Barrong. thanks to the community The High Altitude for its support,” reflectFitness concept grew from ed Chandra Barrong, coa desire not to have to drive owner of High Altitude out of the Valley to enjoy Fitness. “This seemed a gym environment, or to like the perfect opportudrive your children out of nity to share our services the Valley for tumbling, to those in the commudance, and other programs. nity who want to take a The love of the people of From left to right, mother and daugh- first step towards winter the Valley, as well as their ters team owners of High Altitude fitness, conditioning for love of fitness, made the Fitness Chandra Barrong, Caralee the ski season, or just to idea fall into place with Burton, and Carol Dellinger. check out the facility and High Altitude Fitness openits instructors.” ing its doors to the community in October of The Ogden Valley should be on the 2006. lookout as High Altitude Fitness plans to So many things were accomplished dur- relocate to Eden in January, with two sepaing year one; to name a few: rate buildings to serve the community even Kids summer camp programs were insti- better. The children’s tumbling and dance tuted, varying from art exploration to programs will expand, and there will be a dedicated birthday party center. The adult sports conditioning and rock climbing. Talented instructors were added to teach environment will feature a fully equipped weight room, hardwood floors, surround tumbling, yoga, and dance. Expansion plans were put into place that sound, and a peaceful yet energetic décor. The mission of High Altitude Fitness are now being implemented. is to partner with the Ogden Valley com Over 250 families enrolled in classes or munity to create a safe, positive, and fun programs. environment where both adults and chilConnie Kenny of Huntsville stated, “I dren can build the foundation for a lifetime couldn’t be happier with the results I am enjoyment of physical fitness and activity. seeing since joining HAF. Their instructors For more information about programs are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about and services offered by High Altitude exercise, physiology, and diet. Group class- Fitness, please review their class schedule es are great for beginning students or the listed on the web at www.hafutah.com or advanced. Depending on your goals, they contact Chandra Barrong at 801-745-2653 can custom design a workout that is right or <cibarrong@hotmail.com> for you. I am over 50, and finally feel like |
