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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (July 12, 2017)
4 B SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2017 SIUSLAW VALLEY FIRE & RESCUE B Y P ETE “B OA ” W ARREN Recruitment & Retention Coordinator for SVFR (Note: What follows is a correspondence regarding our recent Upriver Firefighter Training Academy, which I’m sharing with permission from Andrea Still, a Volunteer with Swisshome-Deadwood Fire Department) hree Saturdays of train- ing doesn’t seem like much. When you read about the Upriver Academy that Siuslaw Valley invited our local volunteer fire depart- ments to participate in, you may have wondered, “How T Moving mountains during the ‘Upriver Academy’ much can you really learn in three days?” I questioned it myself, when Boa [Warren] and Jeff [Larson] from SVFR came to Swisshome to tell us about the Upriver Academy and see if we wanted to participate. I asked Jeff, “Is it hard?” His answer scared me and sticks with me, and probably will for a long time because it’s an answer you can apply to almost any situation you may find yourself facing. He simply said, “It’s as hard as you make it.” I’m writing this as a volun- teer who participated, and I’d like to make sure everyone knows that over the course of three days, we moved moun- tains. Three local departments participated: Deadwood Creek Fire and Swisshome- Deadwood Fire departments. At first, many of us were basically strangers. The oblig- atory introductions ensued, but even in those brief, awk- ward moments when we were almost strangers, there was an air of acceptance, mutual respect and the general vibe of “We’re all in this together.” And for the next three Saturdays the most amazing thing happened. We had a whole lot of problems! Bad hoses, malfunctioning equip- ment. But everyone kept a level head and our four depart- ments were able to work as one group of like-minded indi- viduals to find solutions to every issue we found. It wasn't Deadwood Creek or Swisshome-Deadwood or the big guys from Siuslaw Valley — it was just a family. I asked what felt like a thou- sand stupid questions and they were met with answers I would expect from a brother or father: gentle, kind, com- passionate and informative. Not just, “Do it this way” but instead, “This helps us when we do it this way, and here’s why.” For all you Backdraft fans, I regret to disappoint you that not one of them said “You’re doing it wrong!” ala Kurt Russel. Everyone who came up to volunteer their Saturdays to teach our departments were happy to be there — happy to teach, eager to help and amaz- ing people to learn from. They were a group of people from all walks of life — military, college educated, wildfire and Coast Guard, just to name a few — and the knowledge they passed onto our depart- ments is immeasurable. The bonds they helped form between our departments, everything we learned togeth- er, everything they taught us will undoubtedly save lives, homes and property for years to come. We went from being four separate departments who barely knew each other’s names let alone their engines, tenders, and pump capabili- ties, to one group of people who can confidently work together for the safety and wellbeing of our communities. What did it do for me, specifically? I went from being a volunteer who has been too scared of getting in the way to someone who can turn the pump on, run a hose by myself, know where to attack a fire, which adjust- ments to make to the nozzle according to the type of fire I encounter. I know how to put on an air pack and how to use it. The author of one of my favorite books, Cheryl Strayed, once said, “Find what you’re afraid of and do it any- way.” I was afraid. I did it anyway — and it changed me. Not only did our depart- Rosalie Johnson (right) is presented the Peace Harbor Volunteer of the Year award by Michelle Diffenderfer of Peace Harbor hospital (left). COURTESY PHOTO to have the quality and number of volunteers who give of themselves. I have nothing but gratitude for the body of volun- teers that followed my lead for two years, and the respect they bestowed during my tenure,” Johnson said of her award and her time serving as a volunteer. “How blessed I have been to some better than others, but always with resolutions best for all concerned. “This award has been the most special thank you a per- son might receive. These 15 years have been such an inter- esting and challenging period of my retired life. “I wouldn’t change any of it,” Johnson added. interact with so many folks in so many situations: some good, — Andrea Still Pete “Boa” Warren can be contacted at 541-997-3212, or the main SVFR station, 2625 Highway 101, or email Boa@svfr.org. Deadlines for press releases are Mondays and Thursdays by noon. Email them to: P RESS R ELEASES @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM . FLORENCE WINGS AND WHEELS would like to thank their sponsors. Rosalie Johnson named Peace Harbor ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Rosalie Johnson was recent- ly named the PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center Volunteer of the Year. The PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center volun- teer team consists of 117 mem- bers who volunteer in a variety of areas at Peace Harbor: the lobby, same day surgery, hospi- tal gift shop, patient advocacy and more. Johnson has served as a vol- unteer at Peace Harbor since 2002. She has served in many areas: counseling, medical records, the gift shop, chair of fundraising, chair of the Gallery Hall, Co-Chairing the duties of the Roster, and cur- rently co-chairing In-Service. She served for two years as Volunteer President of the Board, and has volunteered close to 1,000 hours of her own time this calendar year. “PeaceHealth is so blessed ments move mountains, but I moved mountains within myself. If you still find your- self asking how much can one accomplish in three days, I am here to tell you — with the right people by your side — you can do a lot. It’s really only as hard as you make it. Major Sponsors: Th ree Rivers Casino Resort and City of Florence Sponsors: C & M Stables, Les Schwab, Heceta Self Storage, Car Wash & Shine, Tony’s Garage, Johnston Motors, Coast Pavement Maintenance, Florence Yamaha, Valvoline, Mo’s Restaurant, Chad Clements DDS, 1285 Restobar, Florence in Bloom, Coast Radio, First Baptist Church, Burns’s Riverside Chapel, Dutch Bros, Sears, Pacifi c Pines RV Resort, Apex Heli, A&W Family Restaurant, Bucks Sanitary Service, Sherwood Like A Tow. NO N-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF FLORENCE OR 541•999•6078 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FACEBOOK.COM/PETERSENAUTODETAIL Dr. Mark Immel, Naturopathic Physician your source for natural medicine Patricia Immel, Lic. Acupuncturist & Herbalist Feel your best! 541-902-8860 1845 Hwy. 126, Suite H, Florence, OR 97439 TheWellspringClinic.com Q: Describe your organization. A: Soroptimist of Florence was founded February 14, 1972. Over the years our club has helped found the Senior Booster Club, Th e Florence Events Center, funding commitment for Peace Harbor Hospital, and the Siuslaw Public Library. Our international organizational focus is to improve the lives of women and girls, which we support locally as well. Th is focus is highlighted by our holding three Human Traffi cking information seminars. Our scholarship programs are Dream It Be and Live Your Dream Awards and graduating high school girls. Five HS Girls received fi ve thousand dollar scholarships each, another two received three thousand dollars each and one for two thousand dollars for college or technical school education. Our annual sponsored Christmas Basket food and toys distribution has been helping disadvantaged families in the Florence/Mapleton area for over thirty years. Th e Mother’s Day gift baskets are fi lled with personal care items for new moms given through the Caring Pregnancy Center. Th e fi nancial support we give to SOS, Boys and Girls Club, Senior Center, and other local service organizations, helps make their programs a reality. Th e community building projects include: Peace Harbor Hospital, the Siuslaw Public Library and Florence Events Center, which are a benefi t to all citizens, making our community a safer more pleasant place to live. Q: What are your greatest accomplishments so far, this year? A: Our club year runs July thru June, so during that time this club year, we’ve held two fund raisers that make our projects possible. Th e annual Rose Sale incorporates sales of a dozen roses to recipients that are hand delivered throughout the Florence and sometimes Eugene areas. Th e Bras for a Cause event was a rousing success that promoted businesses who paid for a table the event night, created a bra to be sold live auction and in some cases a gift basket to be sold at silent auction. Dinner for those attending is included in the ticket price as is a bottle of wine to share among those at each table. A dessert auction capped off the evening with numerous delicious off erings that were auctioned by table. Th ese two projects funded several of our other projects and three of the scholarships given out in May. Q: What is your current greatest need? A: New Members; Members make the impact on the community and create the atmosphere that makes our projects a reality. I’ll host any woman who is considering membership to lunch during the club year. Just call me! Q: Describe your organizations personality in three words. A: “Comradery”, “Compassion”, “Impact”. Nancy Bosket (LYDA Chair) with Christine Newlan and Kayla Stenke, and Shasta McMullen (President) Q: Do you have a personal story that describes the impact your organization has had in the community? A: Our club participates in Live Your Dream, a monetary assistance awarded to a woman who is head of household and pursuing education to further her career or obtain a degree for a new career that would help support her family. One recipient used the money to purchase a car so she could get to Eugene for class, one used money to pay for child care and another used the funds to purchase a computer. We were able to make these women’s lives a little bit better. Buying or Selling? I can help. Soroptimist International of Florence OR P.O. Box 1209, Florence, OR 97439 541-997-2233 Jan Jagoe Broker 541 999-0879 4837 Summit Ave – Gorgeous panoramic Silcoos Lake views! Enjoy the incredible views from the living room, master bedroom and deck. 2 bdrm, 1 bath cabin on .34 acre in Westlake! Huge two by shop for your boat, ATV’s or RV w/plenty of room for parking. $339,000. #2731-17565185 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 Carol Bennett(SI), Brandy Dalbeck, Korina Shipstad, Destinie Tatum, Celie Mans, Claire Waggoner, Taylor Coolidge, Elyssa Rose and Nancy Bosket, (SI Chair) All Creation’s Construction Florence Pharmacy Chad Clement, D.D.S., P.C County Transfer & Recycling First Baptist Church SPONSORED BY: Jack Mobley Construction Inc. Oregon Pacifi c Bank Swanson Pest Management Florence Heating & Sheet Metal, Inc
