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Hoot Owl Fire
On Sunday May 5th, Walker Fire was dispatched to a wildfire on Hoot Owl Rd which could be described as being between Potato Patch and Mountain Pine Acres. The fire was only about 1/2 an acre but was made complex by the steepness of the terrain, the extent to which there was a combination of dead and down and stacked wood piles inside the fire line, the close proximity of a house, the even closer proximity of an out-building of sorts, the incredibly thick over-grown forest, the inability for every vehicle to get to the scene (road condition, steepness and narrowness) and that the road was very narrow and appeared to dead end.
Walker Engine 86 was first on scene and assumed command of the incident. Other Walker vehicles participating were Patrol 85, Patrol 80. Patrol 84, Tender 81 and Rescue 81 (in case someone got hurt). In all there were 13 firefighters from Walker. Additionally we had outside help from a Forest Service engine, a Forest Service command vehicle, a Type 6 engine from Groom Greek, a Water Tender from Groom Creek and a command vehicle from AZ State Forestry Division.
This may seem like a large response for a half acre and it was but we would rather have too many than too few especially during the fire season.
Tactically, Engine 86 and the Forest Service engine were positioned for the most direct attack. The water tenders could not get to the scene because of the road so Patrol 85 shuttled water from the water tenders staging area up to the incident to refill the engines. The crews from Patrols 84 and 80 constructed the fire line along with Forest Service and Groom Creek personnel.
We will be revisiting the site over the next couple of days to make sure nothing pops back up.
HERE YE, HERE YE
HERE YE, HERE YE, the Annual Meeting of the Walker Fire Protection Association, Inc. (“WFPA”), has been announced for 9:00 AM, Saturday, May 25, 2013, and your presence and vote is requested.
Up for consideration is the Completely Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation for the WFPA and the election/re-election of three of the seven WFPA board seats. Please note that the bio for Rudy Erdmann contained an additional paragraph from another candidate (in personal information), in the original electronic and mailed Chronicle. We have corrected it in the version you can obtain here:
http://walkerfire.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Spring_2013_Walker_Newsletter.pdf
A copy of the 2013 Annual Membership proxy follows the bios as well. In the event you are unable to attend this year’s annual meeting, follow the proxy instructions and return the proxy early to be counted!
The candidate Bio’s and Proxy can be obtained here:
http://walkerfire.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Spring_Newsletter_Bios_2013.pdf
REMINDER – Mock Fire Training – May 4th
As a reminder, the Walker Fire Department will be conducting a mock fire training exercise on Saturday, May 4th. This will involve a lot of radio communication, vehicle traffic in the area of Pine Mountain Rd and possibly artificial smoke but NO live flame.
Newsletter Correction
There was an error in Spring Newsletter for the dates for the upcoming Saturday Afternoon Dances. The correct dates are Saturday, May 11th, and Saturday, June 8th, with other dates to be determined. The Newsletter available via download has been corrected.
Our apologies for any confusion.
Newsletter Download page: http://walkerfire.org/newsletter/
Be sure to check the Walkerfire.org website calendar for updates and upcoming events!!!
Mock Fire Drill on May 4th
On Saturday, May 4th the Walker Fire Department will be conducting a mock fire. This will involve a lot of radio communication on the radio and quite a few fire trucks responding to the scene of the mock incident.
There will be no live flame!
Mark Your Calendar!!! WFPA Annual Meeting
Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 9:00am for the WFPA Annual Meeting!
See the attached flyer for more detailed information:
http://walkerfire.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Annual_Meeting_2013.pdf
In addition, we are pleased have the Spring 2013 Walker Newsletter completed and ready for distibution: See the link below to view the Newsletter:
http://walkerfire.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Spring_2013_Walker_Newsletter.pdf
Be sure to check the Walkerfire.org website calendar for updates and upcoming events!!!
Walker Pancake Breakfast
Walker Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Walker Fire Station, 8am to 10am
NEW FEATURE GLUTEN FREE PANCAKES
We’ll still have the other kind too
Great Door Prizes!
NO CHARGE–Donations Benefit our Firefighters and Medical Team
We are also collecting donation items this Saturday for the Walker Day Picnic Garage Sale!
Clean out your garage and closets for those gently used items that need to find a new home!
Please bring Your Family and Friends, This is a Great Way to Meet Your Walker Neighbors!
Don’t forget our Fantastic Menu:
Double Rich Buttermilk Pancakes
Punch Bowl of Strawberries, Whipped Cream
Sausage, Bacon and Ham
Coffee, Decaf Coffee, Flavored Creamers
Orange, Apple, and Cranberry Juice, White and Chocolate Milk,
Premium Ice Cream, Toppings, Nuts and Maraschino Cherries
Delicious Tray of Sweets
Great Door Prizes
Everyone is Welcome! Come on Over Early and Help Us Setup!
Next Fire Station Dance
Next Fire Station Dance:
Saturday, May 11 from 2pm-5pm
Live music by Justus 2
Barbara Jean and Keith.
Cost per person is $5.00
Bring a snack to share.
Drinks furnished.
Enjoy a special afternoon.
Questions: Peggy @ 771-1493
Peg’s E-mail: ppzink@gmail.com
Make sure to check the Walker Community Calender for upcoming events:
Vendors for Upcoming Mountain Art Market
Seeking vendors for the upcoming Mountain Art Market. Please see the attached flyer for more information:
http://walkerfire.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Art_Market_Vendor_Flyer.pdf
WFPA Water Use Agreement
What is the WFPA Water Use Agreement and why is it needed?
Wait, my property doesn’t have a hydrant! What will my Walker Fire Department do for water in the event of a fire?? Great question and one of the biggest shortfalls of rural fire departments. The WFPA has two water “tenders” which are always filled with 2,000 gallons of water each, in addition a few hundred gallons stored on first response fire trucks. Since we do not have piped water to hydrants, the tenders must transport water to the fire trucks and once emptied, must refill and repeat the process as quickly and safely as possible.
Where do the tenders get their water?
The fire station has 10,000 gallons of stored water and there are some local private contract water tender owners that might be able to respond in the event of need. Otherwise, the WFPA tenders must make their way down Walker Road to refill in Prescott, a long and timely process using precious minutes. And in the event of fire, the water in the tenders and at the station will surely be used up very quickly.
Isn’t there anywhere closer the WFPA might access water??
YES and you might be the answer depending on where a fire incident occurs. The WFPA knows there are water ponds, reservoirs, contract tenders and private water tanks scattered throughout our community. But two things must happen before our thirsty tenders can effectively use local water. First, the WFPA must have authorization in advance and then they have to map this authorized water by address/GPS points to know where it is when they need it.
I want to help!
That’s great. You can get your completed, signed Water Use Agreement to the WFPA by either: 1) email to walker-gis@walkerfire.org and copy to fire-chief@walkerfire.org or, print the form from the website (located in the “Fire Department” tab), complete and sign and mail to WFPA-Water Use Agreement, PO Box 10174, Prescott, AZ 86304. In either case, we will register your agreement and location for future use if needed. The WFPA and the Walker community thanks you in advance as this simple task can make the difference of several minutes in a fire situation and help save your property or a neighbors.
Here is the link to the Water Use Agreement on the website: