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Hood River News Editorial
July 26, 2006
The period of July 21-23 was definitely a critical calendar for
emergency responders in Hood River County.
Numerous accidents and incidents placed an unusually heavy demand on
firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement on those days.
The major incidents between Friday and Monday included a drowning at
the mouth of the Hood River, a blaze in a trailer of hay that closed
Interstate 84 for more than two hours, two trail rescues in Cascade
Locks, and a traumatic motorcycle crash south of Parkdale.
The extent of what they faced is made clear in RaeLynn Ricarte’s
report on page A1. In soaring temperatures, the responders went from
one situation to another — some life-threatening, and one tragic. Also
on page A1 is an article about a drowning..
The string of weekend emergencies faced by fire and rescue people from
throughout the Gorge merits a huge note of gratitude to the men and
women who fight the fires, search for lost hikers, and stand by at
accident scenes.
The work is tiring, the hours are long, and most of the responders are
volunteers. However, the paid staff also deserve thanks for their
efforts under trying circumstances, not the least of which is the grim
task of retrieving a drowned swimmer from 27 feet down in the Columbia
River.
Rescue personnel remain on alert as dry conditions throughout the
Gorge have created a sort of scenic tinder box.
Most of the fire calls and emergencies have been in rural areas, but
Monday brought a report of “smoke showing” to a downtown Hood River
restaurant. Assistant chief Devon Wells was just blocks away at 9-1-1
dispatch at the time, and he and Chief Jeff Walker were on scene in
minutes. The “smoke” was something else — mist from a machine designed
to cool off customers.
Not exactly a humorous situation, but Wells and Walker managed a
smile.
It’s “too wet to be smoke,” Wells said, walking away, thankful there
was no problem for the property owner, no emergency to deal with, and
no need to call his colleagues to don the hot protective turnouts.
If you know a firefighter or anyone else who responds to public safety
needs as a volunteer or for a living, this would be an ideal time to
say “thank you for what you do.” |
