By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
June 6, 2007

On a sweltering Friday night when many might have been lured either to the waterfront to cool off or downtown to First Friday events; a tight-knit group of family, friends and officers gathered in Bowe Auditorium at Hood River Valley High School.

The group was there to mark the dedication of 21 men and women volunteers who completed four months’ worth of firefighting training during the 2007 Columbia Gorge Fire Training Academy. “The biggest part of the fire service is the support network we have behind us,” said Devon Wells, assistant fire chief for Hood River.

The graduates came from beyond Hood River County, including departments from both sides of the Columbia River. Wells came up with the idea for centralized training after attending a conference in Savannah, Ga. Students each put in 120 hours of academy time and more for homework, tests and practice of their skills. Keynote speaker George Jamieson, the state’s fire training coordinator, applauded their commitment.

“You will put yourself in line to respond to someone else’s needs 24/7. You will leave dinners, holidays and events to respond to those needs,” Jamieson.

He reminded the graduates that they had more training ahead as firefighting constantly changes. Jamieson emphasized their need to be observant of personal safety when responding to calls.

“The goal at every call is: Everyone goes home safe,” he said.

n Dufur Fire Department: Jason Davis, Jack Frakes, Tim Seitz

n Hood River Fire Department: Joe Correa, Brad Urban, Marcus VanLaar, Oskar Villalobos

n Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue (The Dalles): Erick Castaneda, Jennifer Clark, Sean Dahlberg, Seth Gray, Nick Ryan, Jeff Shaw

n Odell Fire District: Wrayal McCourt, Manuel Garcia

n Parkdale Fire and Rescue: Wes Bauman, Perry Flory, Cameron Kiyokawa

n Pine Grove Fire District: Erik Lee