November 8, 2012 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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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