Fire Brigade News
December 2009
While December is usually the month we take a break from all of our training, we still had a few classes to wrap up, so we tried to finish them off early in the month. We recerted several members in their First Responder training, this needs to be done every two years, with the last of a series of four classes. We also had a MCI, (Multi Casualty Incident) class. This is for any incident that basically would overwhelm the normal responses. Then a Level 1, 2 or 3 MCI is declared, and depending on the severity, everything in the County could be mobilized. (Think the tour bus crash on 101 this year).
Other business was the Big Sur ambulance situation. Kirk and I attended the Board of Supervisors meeting on the 15th and with just a little discussion, the 5 year contract with AMR was unanimously approved! This means we will keep the ALS Big Sur ambulance, 24/7/365!! From the time well over a year ago when we knew there would be a new contract written, Kirk Gafill, as the CC president, spearheaded and coordinated the effort and meetings. Several of us spent many hours over the months meeting with the Supes individually, many of you sent letters and emails and made phone calls. All your efforts were well worth it and we thank you for them.
On to more fun events! We again had our annual dinner hosted by Nepenthe on the 14th. It was rather strange for me to be up in front of the crowd doing the “speeches” and awards instead of Frank. It was an evening full of awards and honors; Starting with a “Honorable mention or most improved” for FF Jon Knight. Followed by the new “gold pen” (not really gold) award for the best reports, both written and turned in. (This paper work must be done for all our calls). We then presented Frank with an award from the Monterey County Fire Chiefs Association, 2 fifteen year awards pins for Irene Kahn and Toby Rowland-Jones, a Honorary member resolution for Kirk Gafill, acknowledging him for all his and Nepenthe’s support over the years, the Engine Company of the year award went to Engine 7831 with Steve Graham as Captain, the Rookie of the Year, Matt Harris, the Volunteer of the year, Sal Manzo, and lastly the Chiefs Award to Terry Hallock, our outstanding grant writer! We had a delicious dinner, good company and the best hosts, Nepenthe, what more could you want….. Thank you Kirk and Holly!!
We had one of our volunteers, Chris Mazurek, graduate from the MPC Fire Academy the same week. It was a rigorous 22 week long academy in which they learned a combination of fire and rescue skills. The prerequisite to take the class is EMT. They started with 32 and the graduating class had 26 men in it. It was a wonderful graduation ceremony, and in addition to completing the academy, Chris was awarded a scholarship and an award for top manipulative skills! Congratulations Chris!!
Santa “rode” again this year and he got quite a work out! Carried by his big red “sleigh” he visited the children at the resorts. Escorted by “elves and helpers” Jess Mason, Dave Egbert, Sal Manzo, myself and Captain Cooper Principal Paula, he made his rounds. He handed out gifts at River Inn and Post Ranch staff housing, we “Ho Hoed” the Post ranch reception office then headed over to Ventana where they were having their staff party. We had a room full of children awaiting Santa! Tina had brought over about 80 wrapped presents ahead of time for Santa to hand out. Santa was great with children sitting on his knee for pictures. Then off to our final stop at Nepenthe where Kirk and Meredith had a little “refreshment” waiting for Santa. It is such fun seeing the kids faces when the really big “sleigh” with lights flashing and sirens blowing pulls up with SANTA!! (Note, due to H1N1 concerns, Santa has his own beard, no more sharing, so now he is our Santa for ever). And at the risk of blowing Santa’s cover, but wanting to acknowledge and thank him, we will just say that if you run into that guy that works on a lot of your water systems and has a bit of an English accent, just say Ho, Ho, Ho!!!
Thank you Meredith for all your organization and to Eby for allowing us to drop off the presents at the Library.
A safe and Happy New year to all from the Fire Brigade!
Martha Karstens
Chief