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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
November 8, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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November 8, 2012
 
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e e firefighter training By NATALIE JOHNSON rmtalie~tasoncounty.com When Roger Blankenship and his wife bought the house next door to theirs, at 1014 Cascade Ave. in Shelton, they dreamed of fixing the roof and generally sprucing it up. "The previous owners were really nice people," he said. "When they moved away we decided we wanted to buy it." The unique home, built in 1940, had original wood floors, arched doorways and surpris- ingly large square footage. He knew the home needed work, but after getting esti- mates to fix the roof and wa- ter damage, he realized it was simply too far gone. "They had fought that roof forever," he said. Blankenship chose to do- nate the home to Central Ma- son Fire & EMS to use in a training exercise. When homeowners are faced with the necessity of tearing down a building, turn- ing to their local fire district can often be a cheaper option than demolition. It also gives the district a valuable chance to conduct training, Central Mason Battalion Chief Gar- nett Curtis said. "We charge them a dollar a (square) foot to bum the house," he said. "They provide lunch and the outhouse." Curtis commanded such a training session on Saturday on Cascade Avenue. Dozens of off-duty firefighters and officers from Central Mason and Mason County Fire Dis- trict 11 practiced firefighting techniques and observed how fires behave. "It's excellent for us to get an opportunity to train under controlled live fire conditions," Lt. Jeff Snyder said. Fire crews often use metal trailers specifically designed for fire training. Working in an actual house gives firefighters a more realistic picture of how a structure fire will behave in the real world, Assistant Chief Mike Patti said. "It's the environment that we're going to be fighting fires in," he said. 'Tney're going to take the time and watch fire behavior.., in a controlled en- vironment we can watch fire behavior." While fire is always un- predictable, crews take every precaution to control the exer- cises as much as possible. The home is inspected in detail to assess structural in- tegrity issues. In the house on Cascade Avenue, the aging roof presented a safety issue. "There's lots of water drip- ping, there's lots of damage from that," Curtis said. Crews also number rooms inside and out and clearly mark all emergency exits. Vents are cut in the ceiling and roof to channel fire and smoke. "We can control fire activity by how we vent," Curtis said. The fires in the housb were set with a propane torch with wood pallets as fuel, he said. No accelerants were used in Saturday's training session and crews had an extra water tender on site in case the fire spread unexpectedly. Also, as in any response to a fire, all firefighters wore oxy- gen tanks and full face masks and had Personal Alarm Safety Systems (PASS), which chirp if a firefighter doesn't move for more than 15 seconds, and set off a loud alarm if the person continues to stay still. To prepare for the bum, Central Mason personnel con- tacted neighbors and obtained a permit from the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (OR- CAA.) Many of those neighbors set up lawn chairs and invit- ed friends over to watch the house bum. To begin the exercise, fire- fighters set a fire in the home's bathroom. Crews rotated to fight the fires in successive rooms. They were 'split into three teams for each room -- an attack team, which goes in first to fight the fire, a backup team, which goes in second, and a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) which stands by in case of an emergency. "Their only job is to rescue firefighters," Patti said. In many training exercises, instructors simulate emer- gencies. At this exercise, Patti said there weren't enough Journal photo by Natalie Johnson Crews from Central Mason Fire & EMS and Mason County Fire District 11 burn down a house Saturday at 1014 Cascade Ave. in Shelton as part of a training exercise. firefighters participating to do sues. In addition to a roof that that. had been leaking for years, As in any emergency re-causing extensive water dam- sponse, the safety of firefight- age, ceilings in several rooms ers always comes first, Curtis were bowed. said. After fire traveled to the "Even in the training envi- home's attic and crews had ronment we have three opera- fought fires in several rooms, tional necessities -- No. 1 is life crews started to let the house safety," he said. "There's noth- burn on its own just before ing that we can't let go here noon. that we have to waste a life." It was gone by the end of After setting fires and re- the day. spending in several rooms, of- Blankenship has hired a ricers in charge decided to let crew to clear the house's foun- the house burn. dation and other infrastruc- "We will get as many bums ture from the lot. He plans to in as we can," Curtis said. "We plant grass and keep it as a fatigue our firefighters before well-maintained vacant lot in we fatigue the house." the near future. Curtis began the day know- "If the grandkids come and ing that the house already visit, it'll give them a place to had structural integrity is- run,"he said. \ ! °.. ........... ii!!!!i¸ ([ii;iii:[?: i) November 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 The Pavillion at Sentry Park 190 West Sentry Drive • Shelton, WA Tickets on sale until November 9 Wednesday, November 14 Mason County Professionals Luncheon and Confections Auction Alderbrook Resort & Spa brings their culinary expertise to the table for this event! Share a stolen moment among our Holiday wonderland with co-workers, friends, and neighbors. Doors and gift shop open: 11:00 a.m. Plated lunch service begins: 12:00 noon sharp EVent end: 1:30. p,m. Reservations Required $250/Table of 10 OR $25/Single Ticket Friday, November 16 Battle of the Bands- Featuring Three Musical Groups Come and enjoy the cross generation of music by a variety of bands, appetizers, among beautifully decorated trees, visit the gift shop. Event features 10 Cents in Oklahoma, Rocky & Friends and the Chris Anderson lYio. These tlmm bands offer something for everyone; musical groups include Indie-rock influenced by folk-rock & blues, Rock-n-Roll hits from the 7ffs & 80's and Blues & Jazz. 7:00 p.m.--11:00 p.m. Reservations Required. No-host "cash only" bar $25 per person OR table of ten for $250 Saturday, November 17 Candy Cane Carnival - Co-Sponsored by South Sound Radiologists Children's activities, Santa, refreshments, surprises and visit the gift shop. 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Reservations Required $10.00 1 adult and 1 child • $4.00 each additional guest. Free for ages 2 & under Gala and Auction - Sponsored by Hiawatha Corporation and Hoffman Construction Company Enjoy gourmet dining by John Cruse, bid on many silent & live auction items, visit the gift shop. No-host "cash" bar. Black tie optional. 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Reservations Required $1,200 Sapphire reserved table of 10 or $120 - Single Ticket $1,500 Emerald reserved table of 10 or $150- Single Ticket Sapphire table includes an appreciation gift for each guest and wait staff. Emerald table includes a limited edition ornament for each guest, preferred seating & personal wait staff for your table. MGH Foundation also acknowledges the following sponsors for their support of the 2012 Fantasy Forest Event: Program and Advertising Sponsor; Christmas Village, Gift Shop: Heritage Bank, Celebration of Life Tree Co-Sponsors: Gastroenterology Associates and John L Scott Foundation, Co-Vo}unteer Village Sponsor: Taylor Shellfish Farms, Raffle Sponsors:- Peninsula Credit Union, Skookum Rotary Foundation: Oysterfest Dollars at Work, Hood Canal Communications, and Masco Petroleum, Live Auction Cruise: Holland America, Travel Voucher and Event Poster: Derek Rae, Construction Manager-OAC Services, Inc./Construction Management, Forest Star Sponsors: Bob and Melanie Appel, Robert W. Johnson, PLLC, Providence St. Peter Hospital, Steven H. Bowers, DDS PS, Shelton Health and Rehabilitation Center, Wittenberg CPA, PS. Sponsorships as of 11-5-12 Portrait Packages Offered by Cooper Studios at these events: Father Daughter Night Ou~ Candy Cane Carnival and Gala and Live Auction. Special thanks to the She/ton-Mason County Journal and Coffee News for making the Fantasy Forest ads possible. For reservations and tickets, call (360) 427-3623 or go online at www.MasonGeneraLcom/2012_fantasy_forest.html NOVEMBI R i7TH 8PM $65/$60/$50 online or call 360-432-7300, Thursday November 22nd, 2012 Creekside Buffet • 11 am-9pm Firs~ come f.st served Sa-He'Wa-Mish • llam-7om Reservations for p~rties of 8 only* :i2 and up .$25.95 ", Children 4-ll $I 3.95 • 3 and under free Visit otlr wehsite for mlr lull menu. "For reservations call 360-432.7107 Automatic 18% 8i ttuiU/will apply MON-FRI Iqerb Roasted Prime Rib Glazed Turkey Brea~ Slow Roasted Turkey Traditional Herb Dressing Baked Sahnon Honey Glazed Ham Steamed Clams Grilled Oysters Grilled Flank Steak Rock Fish Candied Cinnamon Yams Mashed Potatoes Rosemary Red Potatoes Glazed Baby Carrots Dungeness Crab Snow Crab Assorted Salads Variety of Gourmet Desserts Pac e A-8 - Shelton-Mason County Journal -'Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012