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About Applegater. (Jacksonville, OR) 2008-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2008)
Applegater September-October 2008 5 Friends of Fire District #9 Fire District #9 BY BOB FISCHER Comparatively few people in the Applegate Valley and vicinity know of a unique organization that was organized in October of 1986 under the name of the Friends of Applegate Valley Fire District #9. The outstanding service being rendered by volunteers and full-time fi refi ghters of Fire District #9, plus the extraordinary contributions far beyond the call of duty that were being made, prompted some residents of the community to come together to further help the Firefi ghters of Fire District #9. The objective of this non-profi t organization is to promote, support, and aid Fire District #9 by providing food and drink to fi refi ghters on extended fi res. They also do fund raising in order to purchase needed equipment or meet other needs for the District outside of its budget. We planned morale-boosting activities for the fi refi ghters and families, including a summer picnic and a Christmas function, complete with Santa Claus. The Friends also set up and help with the Fire District’s Awards Banquet at the fi rst of each year. In September of each year they hold a giant yard sale in the community of Ruch. All proceeds help the Friends purchase much needed fi re fi ghting equipment and to help new fi refi ghters pay for their college EMT training. The Friends hold 11 monthly meetings each year. The Friends started with only eight members, and over the years they have grown to over 30 full-time members. The Friends are always looking for new members, so any individual residing within the boundaries of the Applegate Valley Fire District #9 is eligible for membership. Stop by Fire Station 3 or come to a Friend’s meeting and fi ll out an application and join the fun with the Friends of Fire District #9. The Friend’s meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 pm at Fire Station 3 on Upper Applegate Road. Help us give something back to our community. Bob Fischer 541-846-6218 STATION meet the needs of the Applegate’s ever- increasing population. Just think: Station 7 will directly provide protection to 154 residences within fi ve road miles of the station. It also will provide secondary protection for another 400-500 homes! Some folks already are starting to see their homeowner’s insurance rates drop! As you may know, our Fire District 21 st Annual Yard Sale September 20th Saturday 9 am to 5 pm September 21st Sunday 9 am to 3 pm Come and fi nd a treasure or two at our Annual Yard Sale. Proceeds are used to purchase much-needed equipment for our fi re department. For those of you who wish to donate articles to our yard sale, bring your usable items to the fi re station on Upper Applegate Road before the sale. Some of the items we cannot take are: refrigerators/ freezers, computers and components. This year we cannot take small TVs because of the digital changeover. Tires on rims are okay with good tread, but no worn-out ones. Be sure and be there Saturday by 9 am so you can get in on the good stuff. Sunday will be our $1.00 for a shopping bag full. Mark your calendar for the above dates. Also, do not forget to donate your garage sale stuff. See you there. For more information, call 541-899-1050. Bob Fischer • 541-846-6218 Friends of Fire District #9 FROM PAGE 1 is mainly a volunteer district, with full-time paid fi refi ghters only at Headquarters. All of the other stations are manned by the 40-plus volunteers —folks from around the valley who are fully trained and dedicated to serving the residents of the Applegate. Currently, Station 7 has two volunteers, but a couple of folks who attended the grand opening indicated they were interested in taking the training this coming year. I’m told that we also could use more volunteers at Stations 2 and 5. If you’ve got some free time and energy, give Fire Chief Fillis a call at 541-899-1050 and chat. Become a part of the District 9 family. You won’t regret it! Sandy Shaffer • 541-899-9541 Photo left: Firefi ghter Carey Chaput talks to visitors about how our fi re district works, and also gives them a few tips on defensible space. Thank you. The owners and residents of Dragonfly Ranch on North Applegate Road want to thank each and every Firefighter, Neighbor, and Well-Wisher who fought for our property, protected our animals, or provided hugs during our recent fire. The response of Applegate Fire District #9, O.D.F., and the neighboring fire districts was swift and strong. We have always been proud to call these people “neighbor.” We now know, more than ever, what a gift it is to be part of the Applegate Family and look forward to many years of friendship with all of you. From Jacksonville to Grants Pass the Applegater serves a unique market Call Ruth Austin • 541-899-7476 or Matthew Eldridge • 541-941-6834