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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (July 18, 2013)
18 vernonia rural fire protection district july18 2013 Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District Weller Retires after Thirty-Two Years of Service “I remember when Steve came in. He his journey with the VRFPD in 2013. was about 16. I watched him progress Board member Joel Glass praised Weller through the years and I could see that we “Steve has been a great mentor. He has had real leadership and he’s proved it. been a fine act to follow and model ser- He’s been a great leader for this depart- vice after.” ment.” As everyone in the room stood During the celebration Weller to applaud Weller, he closed the celebra- reflected on how his career started. tion with a very humble “Thank you for “What really got my interest in the service was first my grand- dad, Bob Thompson who was a fire chief here, my Uncle Don Webb who was fire chief and my dad was in the fire service.” In 1989 Weller was hired on as the first paid administrator and Fire Department Chief in Vernonia. After 8 years, he felt that he had given all he had to offer to the district and decided to retire. Weller explains to an eager group of young firefight- ers “Through all the years and Chief Dean Smith, Retired Chief and Board Chair Steve Weller all the time of being involved and Retired Chief Don Webb. the most important thing was the people that volunteer daily. teered and the incredible leadership and You get up in the middle of the letting me serve.” values you have brought to the Vernonia night, one o’clock in the morn- We thank you Steve, for the sac- Fire Protection District! You have been Lt. Loren Loomis presents the 32nd Department ing. You sacrifice many meals. rifices you’ve made, the lives you’ve a great inspiration to the community and Challenge Coin to Steve Weller in honor of his You sacrifice many times with saved, the countless hours you’ve volun- fellow firefighters! 32 years of service. your own children, wife and loved ones to go do Steve Weller has been a monumental things to help other people. And part of VRFPD’s history. Weller began the reason you do it is because his thirty-two year career as a volunteer you care about people.” This year’s fireworks presenta- wore a GoPro Camera on his helmet firefighter in 1975. The firehouse was a In 2003, Weller came tion in Vernonia was nothing short of and filmed behind the scenes. To view small building back behind where the back to the district and served spectacular. Families and friends gath- the video you can go to our Facebook Blue House Café is now. They had one as a Board Member, holding the ered and enjoyed the clear, warm night Page ( https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ver- engine, what we now call “Old Red.” position of Board Chair. He de- listening to patriotic music while we nonia-Rural-Fire-Protection-District ) or you- Don Webb recalls when Weller started cided it was time for him to end During the July Business Meet- ing, the Vernonia Volunteer Firefighters and Chief Smith, along with the Board of Directors and past Volunteer Chief Don Webb, surprised Steve Weller with a small celebration to honor his retire- ment from the VRFPD Board of Direc- tors. Fireworks Recap Calls responded to June 1st - 30th, 2013 Assist Police or other government agency Public service assistance Emergency medical service/assist Motor vehicle crash Extrication of victims from vehicle Unauthorized burning Passenger vehicle fire Power pole fire TOTAL 1 1 44 2 1 1 1 1 52 painted the sky. Lt. Loren Loomis col- lected $4,222 total from donation jars around town, contributions from or- ganizations and community members. With some savings collected from last year, Lt. Loomis was able to purchase $5,000 worth of fireworks. He led a team of volunteer firefighters: FF Ash- ley Loomis, FF Jake Bringman and FF Michael Haley, who were able to display a 20 minute show for the au- dience. For a special treat, FF Haley tube.com ( http://youtu.be/TlPko6CRiS8 ). We would like to express our gratitude to Lt. Loomis for his dedica- tion in organizing this event and thank you to the volunteer firefighters who helped with this amazing show. Last, but not least, we would like to thank the Vernonia community for your support in helping us make another memorable small town 4 th of July celebration! BURN BAN IN EFFECT As of July 1, in conjunction with Columbia County Fire Defense Board and Oregon Department of Forestry, the burn ban is in effect for all Columbia County. Backyard and debris burning is prohibited. Campfires are only permitted in an approved pit, following campfire rules. Regulations for Campfires Campfires in Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District residential areas can be allowed if all guidelines are followed. 1. Campfire pit must be lined with a non-flammable material such as mortared brick, mortared rock, cement or steel, 8 inches above ground level. 2. Minimum of 10 gallons of water, with additional water resources readily available. 3. Shovel with 8 inch blade at least 26 inches. 4. One adult in attendance as long as there is any heat from open flame or coals/ash. 5. Area around campfire irrigated, mowed grass/lawn, rock/sand/dirt for minimum of 10 feet around pit. 6. Cut and split seasoned firewood, as would be used in fireplace/wood stove is to be used in fire pit. All wood must fit inside the fire pit ring. Limbs, lumber, brush not to be used. DO NOT burn paper plates or trash. 7. Maximum 2-foot flame height from level ground. 8. Regulated Use Level I of II, low or moderate. LEVEL 3 OR 4, HIGH OR EXTREME, NO CAMP FIRE WILL BE ALLOWED. 9. NO WIND, only a light breeze (leave movement only). These regulations are for residential areas only, NOT FOREST LAND. These restrictions do not alleviate land owners responsibility for fire that escapes, or is cause of fire started as a result of sparks. Fire suppression, fines and damages may be charged to land owner.
