SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019 | 7A
AUXILIARY from page 1A
of responsibility including
Washington, Idaho, Montana
and the entire Pacific North-
west Coast. D13 has three
sector offices to manage op-
erations in the Puget Sound,
Coos Bay and on the Colum-
bia River.
Protecting this portion of
the coast is the primary re-
sponsibility of active duty per-
sonnel assigned to Station Siu-
slaw River. There is a strong
support network in place to
provide assistance to these
service members.
Florence was named an
official Coast Guard City in
2017, one of only 26 official-
ly dedicated cities in the U.S.
The community has created
long-term connections to the
men and women who have
protected and saved many res-
idents over the years.
Florence has also embraced
the current crop of young
men and women who spend
a meaningful part of their for-
mative years here. This unre-
served support is evidenced
by the nearly $50,000 donat-
ed by area residents to Coast
Guard personnel during the
partial government shutdown
earlier this year.
Supporting the Coast
Guard is also the primary
mission of USCG Auxiliary
Flotilla 05-02, which is based
in Eugene but has an active
Florence contingent.
Staff Officer Robert Red-
fern, a member of Flotilla 05-
02, has more than answered
the call for community assis-
tance by making an unusually
generous donation to Station
Siuslaw River in his purchase term ‘force multiplier’ and in the classroom, at the boat- that have run out of gas, or
of a brand-new boat for the that’s one of the primary mis- ramp and piers conducting heaven forbid, taking on water
flotilla’s usage.
sions the Auxiliary has. We vessel safety exams, operating — any problem that they need
Redfern is a retired first re- supplement the Coast Guard,” 1800 Auxiliary vessels, 160 to respond to — which frees
sponder and felt the need to Hooper said. “The reason that aircraft, 1,400 radio facilities (Station Siuslaw River) up to
contribute more than his time. Bob got that specific boat is and, greatest of all, volunteer- go on lifesaving missions.”
“I’ve always been a first re- because that is the most com- ing in numerous different po-
Hooper was recognized this
sponder. I’m a retired firefight- mon boat on this river, the sitions at various Coast Guard week for his dedication and
er, 30 years. When we moved 22-foot aluminum hull, and units around the country.”
commitment by the active
up here to Florence, I
duty personnel at
wanted get involved
Station Siuslaw Riv-
“The work of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is unmatched to any other
in something that
er. He was presented
volunteer organization. The CG Auxiliary is the greatest force multi-
would really help
with a plaque and a
plier. By utilizing our 26,000 Auxiliary forces Coast Guard wide, we are commendation for
the community and
the Coast Guard be- able to add 3.8 million hours in support of the Coast Guard Operations, his contributions by
cause of the import- in the classroom, at the boat-ramp and piers conducting vessel safety Nilles, who was ef-
ant work they do,” exams, operating 1800 Auxiliary vessels, 160 aircraft, 1,400 radio facili- fusive in his praise of
he said. “I bought the ties and, greatest of all, volunteering in numerous different positions at Hooper.
boat a year ago, in various Coast Guard units around the country.”
“Mr.
Hooper
— Senior Chief Jay Nilles, Officer-in-Charge at Station Siuslaw River received an over-
June, and I wanted to
turn it into what we
whelming amount
call a ‘facility’ and make it part because that is the most com-
According to the USCG, of votes for the unit’s Sailor of
of the Department of Home- mon boat we have to rescue. the mission of the USCG Aux- the Quarter for his dedication
land Security.”
We have five boats in our flo- iliary is threefold: to provide and devotion to Station Siu-
Redfern’s offer to loan tilla and four of them are ex- trained crews and facilities to slaw River. He has volunteered
his boat on a long-term, actly like his.”
augment the Coast Guard and countless hours standing
open-ended basis for use by
The increasing amount of enhance safety and security watch in our communications
Station Siuslaw River required work required of the USCG at our ports, waterways and center being the voice of the
some additional equipment has also driven the nationwide coastal regions; to support Coast Guard for mariners in
and a final inspection by the trend of enlisting other sourc- Coast Guard operational, ad- distress, as well as assisting in
Department of Homeland es within the communities ministrative and logistical re- the training and mentoring of
Security, which took place in they serve to help fulfill the quirements; and to promote our newly reported folks who
and improve recreational are training to earn their cer-
June.
overall mission.
To be approved, Redfern
BMSC Jay Nilles, officer boating.
tifications as well,” Nilles said.
“Like the fire department “By his countless hours stand-
added more sophisticated in charge of USCG Station
communication equipment, Siuslaw River, said the con- and the Coast Guard, the bulk ing watch, he has allowed us to
extra life jackets and another tributions made by Auxiliary of our time is spent training get more crewman underway
anchor, fire extinguisher, extra Volunteers, here and across and getting ready for the ac- to complete their training, as
cleats and a Samson Pole, as the country, is significant in a tual call,” Hooper said. “We well as participate in shore
practice towing because tow- side training and add to our
well as emergency lights and number of ways.
spotlights — all of which he
“The work of the Coast ing a disabled boat is really our workforce.”
paid for.
Guard Auxiliary is unmatched primary thing out there. And
Nilles is personally familiar
Brad Hooper is the Vice to any other volunteer orga- we will absolutely respond to a with the dedication of Auxil-
Flotilla Commander for nization,” he said, using the life-saving situation, especial- iary members, as his family
USCG Auxiliary 05-02, and he key phrase “force multiplier” ly if we are the closest boat — has a long tradition of partic-
believes the support provided again. “By utilizing our 26,000 and even if we are not, we will ipation.
to the active duty elements of Auxiliary forces Coast Guard go help. And we are an extra
“I was born into the Coast
Station Siuslaw is essential to wide, we are able to add 3.8 boat to help out mariners. So, Guard Auxiliary. My grand-
million hours in support of when we are out there, we are father, grandmother, father
mission fulfillment.
“The Coast Guard uses the the Coast Guard Operations, looking for disabled mariners and mother were all active in
the CG Auxiliary. So, grow-
ing up, becoming a member
of the auxiliary and joining
the Coast Guard seemed like
a natural path way of life for
me,” he said. “I became a cer-
tified Station Watchstander
between my junior and senior
year of high school, so Brad’s
dedication means a lot to me
personally.”
Flotilla 05-02 also partic-
ipates in a number of local
summertime
water-related
events.
“We were just in Dunes
City for the triathlon and we
will be on the river for the
Fourth of July. This weekend,
we will be on Siltcoos for the
fireworks at Darlings Marina,”
Hooper said. “Our role is to
be outside the perimeter and
to keep any boats from com-
ing into that space, to use the
space or water ski through it
while the fireworks are being
launched.”
The primary mission of
both the USCG and the Aux-
iliary is ensuring safety for
the boating public, and Nilles
wants to remind recreation-
al boaters to take some basic
steps to stay safe over the holi-
day weekend.
“This Fourth of July, we
must remind people that boat-
ing safety is paramount. Many
people use alcohol during
their holiday celebrations and
we want to remind people
that boating and alcohol don’t
mix,” he said. “Secondly, the
wearing of life jackets. The
modern life jacket is comfort-
able and designed for all types
of body sizes and is your best
weapon to prevent drowning
should you enter the water.”
this 4th of July
Keep a bucket or
water nearby in case of
emergencies.
Always light fi reworks on a
hard, fl at, and level surface
to insure the stability of
the items.
Celebrate Responsibly
Please Don’t Drink & Drive
Do not lengthen or shorten
a fi rework’s fuse.
NORTHWEST
LAND
SURVEYING INC
WESTERN
LANE
AMBULANCE
1732 Laurel Way, Suite A
Florence
410 9th St.
Florence
541-997-9201
541-997-9614
FLORENCE
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
SIUSLAW
VALLEY FIRE
& RESCUE
900 Greenwood St.
Florence
2625 Hwy. 101
Florence
541-997-3515
541-997-3212
Never hold fi reworks in
your hand while lighting
them or after you’ve
lit them.
Be cautious of lighting any
fi reworks during strong
wind conditions.
Read and follow all
warnings and instructions
on fi reworks’ packaging.
LES SCHWAB
TIRE CENTER
JACK MOBLEY
CONSTRUCTION,
INC
ALLSTATE
INSURANCE,
BOB GARCIA
2775 Hwy. 101, Suite C
Florence
541-991-8900
4325 Hwy. 101
Florence
541-997-7178
CCB#164472
541-999-0742
Always use protective
eyewear around fi reworks.
Never point fi reworks
at anyone or anyone’s
property.
MICHAEL ROE
CONSTRUCTION,
INC
CCB#164861
541-997-9216
Always thoroughly soak
fi reworks in water before
disposing of them
in the trash.
SIUSLAW
NEWS
148 Maple St.
Florence
Buy fi reworks only from
reliable sellers.
FLORENCE
PHARMACY
541-997-3441
Watch out for toddlers and
small children as they may
not be aware of the dangers.
SIUSLAW
SCHOOL DIST.
2935 Hwy. 101
Florence
2111 Oak St.
Florence
541-902-9966
541-997-2651
Never hold fi reworks in
your hand while lighting
them or after you’ve
lit them.
Always thoroughly soak
fi reworks in water before
disposing of them
in the trash.
KELLER WILLIAMS
REALTY FLORENCE
/ DARCI CLARK
FIRST BAPTIST
CHURCH
RIVER CITIES
TAXI
179 Laurel St.
Florence
1935 E 25th St.
Florence
1699 Pine St.
Florence
541-450-0318
541-997-7660
541-997-8520