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About Baker City herald. (Baker City, Or.) 1990-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 2, 2019)
6A — BAKER CITY HERALD TRAINING Continued from Page 1A de Sully, who retired as assistant chief of the Tigard Police Department in 2016 after a 30-year career in law enforcement, said he took some time off in retirement before changing direction and hiring on at the academy. “We take these trainings very seriously,” he said. “We try to teach the offi cers ... to be critical thinkers, to treat people with care and compas- sion. “The key is the ability to recognize that there is a prob- lem, to identify the problem and to respond appropriately,” de Sully said. He was joined by other trainers including Oregon State Police offi cers Jason M. Perrizo, who is assigned to the special weapons/tactics team at the training center in Salem, and Gavin Mclvenna, an OSP senior trooper. Gerod Rayburn, fi rearms coordina- tor at the police academy, also traveled to Baker City for the two days of training. Baker City Police Sgt. Wayne Chastain served as an observer and coach for offi cers. Lance Woodward, who works as the Baker City Police Department’s school resource offi cer during the school year, coordinated with Baker High School staff to re- cruit student volunteers from the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America and the drama club to help with the exercise. His daughter, Naomi Wood- ward, a senior and member of the National Honor Society, was among those who volun- teered. The students, or their par- ents for those younger than 18, were required to complete paperwork acknowledging “informed consent, accident waiver and release of liabil- ity” before taking part. The form included information abut the possibility of “emo- tional trauma and physical injury,” though volunteers did not use weapons and states they were portray- ing while others writhed in “pain” while crying out to the offi cers. Friday’s session was repeated Saturday, with both trainings taking place at Brooklyn School, to allow as many law enforcement offi cers as possible to take advantage of the classes being offered closer to their homes. Ben Klecker, the Eastern Oregon regional training co- ordinator for DPSST, helped organize the training in Baker City. He was gone on Saturday to attend a train- ing of his own. Baker County Undersher- iff Jef Van Arsdall, a part- time trainer at the academy, was on hand Saturday as one of the shooters. Offi cers entered the build- ing in pairs, trading off part- ners for each scenario during the afternoon session, which followed a morning session of classroom training. S. John Collins / Baker City Herald The offi cers entered the A wounded student , Penelope Simmons, is quickly transported to a safe zone as school not knowing in ad- student Zach Wise follows behind. At left is BLM ranger Stephanie Cox. vance what they might fi nd. The next to last scenario in- cluded a second shooter (Van “Baker has really done Arsdall), who was hiding in a a good job of having bathroom off the hallway. the conversation and The shooter came from behind offi cers who already planning. But I would were down the hallway caution — don’t stop ahead of him. He fi red his planning, continue to weapon multiple times as review the plan. Plan and he progressed before police fi nally stopped him. be prepared for the worst” In every scenario, offi cers — Jim de Sully, regional continued through the build- training manager, Oregon ing checking briefl y on the Department of Public Safety victims to make a cursory Standards and Training S. John Collins / Baker City Herald assessment of their injuries Law enforcement offi cers, including Oregon State Police before making their way to trooper Tim Schuette, near right, and Baker County Sher- moving through a quiet, the shooter. iff's deputy Adam Robb, far right, apprehend one of two empty building — and this “They are focused on shooters during a scenario Friday. — is night and day,” he said. getting to that point fi rst,” For example, with hall- de Sully said. “It’s not that were not targeted by the ac- exercise area. ways fi lled with victims lying we don’t want to help them. tive shooters in the building. Volunteers were instructed prostrate on the fl oor waiting The goal is to get the person They were provided with not to engage the aggressors for emergency responders, stopped from hurting anyone ear protection and safety during the training. Their police had to consider even else.” glasses and a safety offi cer only options were to “evacu- where they could safely point And once that goal was cleared each person enter- ate, run or hide.” their weapons as they trav- accomplished, paramedics ing the building to ensure no Their participation in the eled through the building. were called to gather up weapons, ammunition, tas- training was invaluable, And at times, the students the victims to take them to ers, knives, batons or chemi- Rayburn said. sent offi cers in the wrong the gymnasium, which was cals were brought inside the “The difference between direction in the agitated designated as the “casualty FIRE Kathy Aney/East Oregonian The We Sell Stuff store continued to smolder on Monday after a fi re gutted the Pendleton downtown business on Sunday. arrived moments later to fi nd not only billowing smoke but an individual hanging from a second story window next to the air conditioner. “The fi rst arriving crew put up a ladder and took him out,” Penninger said. He also said the person de- clined medical help and took off, and the person’s identity remains a mystery. Dixson had said no one was in the building at the time, but he learned about the stranger from Penninger, who also reported the Uma- tilla County Sheriff’s Offi ce received a complaint on Aug. 29 about people possibly liv- ing in the building. Dixson said the second story had an apartment, but he insisted no one lived there. Yet, he also said he had a night watchman on duty. Pendleton fi refi ghters, Don’t text and drive... you won’t have to come see us! Continued from Page 1A Umatilla County tax records show the building had an as- sessed value of $97,980 and a real market value of $204,590, and by all appearances it is a total loss. Shawn Penninger, Pendleton fi re marshal and assistant fi re chief, said the Oregon State Fire Marshal would handle the investigation. However, Craig Andre- sen, the deputy state fi re marshal in Pendleton, is in Colorado for a confer- ence on the cannabis industry and fi re. “Friday we’re sup- posed to get together, build a time line and look at what evidence we have,” Penninger said. — Phil Wright, East Oregonian with the assistance of several agencies, contained the blaze to the one building, but the effort continued well past 4 p.m. Penninger said that was due to collapse of the roof, which shielded hot spots underneath. Dennis’ niece, Candy Sturm, said he has hunted in the area frequently, and has also done guided tours. “He knows that area like the back of his hand,” Sturm said. The search started Sunday after relatives told police that Dennis had failed to return from a hunting trip to the East Eagle Creek area. Searchers found his vehicle at the East Eagle trail- head. On Monday a pair of helicopters, one from the National Guard and one from Baker Aircraft, ferried searchers to the Crater Lake area, which is reached by a steep 6-mile trail that starts near East Eagle Creek. In a statement sent to the Herald, Dennis’ wife, Patty, expressed her appreciation for “Sheriff Ash and Chuck and Cid Christman for all they have done, they are truly amazing.” The Christmans are family friends who are also participating in the search, Sturm said. “The biggest message we would like to get out to the public is how grateful we are for everybody who has been searching by ground and air,” Sturm said. “We are truly thankful for all the shares on social media, nearly 4,000 I think.” Dennis was accompanied by a small Jack Russell terrier. In addition to members of the Baker County Sher- iff’s Offi ce Search and Rescue squad, Union County Search and Rescue members are involved, along with Oregon State Police personnel. Dennis is a white male, 5-foot-5 and 170 pounds, with light brown hair, blue eyes, and a beard and mustache. He was known to be wearing a camoufl age baseball cap and possibly a tan coat. Anyone with information about Dennis’ location should call the Sheriff’s Offi ce at 541-523-6415. N EWS OF R ECORD DEATHS 2390 Broadway, Baker City 541-523-5223 collection point.” As each scenario pro- gressed, trainers coached their students through their responses, providing advice on how to improve their performance. Law enforcement and fi re department crews got a work- out during the day as they hustled their way through the school’s long corridors. EMTs and paramedics dragged the student actors down the hallways to the gymnasium for each scenario. Firefi ghter/EMT Cam- eron Kiyokawa with the Baker City Fire Department, showed his dedication to the training by choosing to carry one victim, drama student Jordan Remien, a BHS senior, over his shoulder down the hallway to the gym. Kiyo- kawa said he found carrying Jordan a more effi cient way of moving him. As the afternoon pro- gressed, the offi cers earned high praise from their train- ers. “That was well done,” Ray- burn told the class. “You were effi cient in your movements and communication was there establishing command. “If that wasn’t a home run, that was a strong triple,” he told the group after one sce- nario had been completed. “I don’t know what could have gone any better.” Communication and coordi- nation is vital in responding to active threats, Rayburn said. Just six offi cers partici- pated in Saturday’s training, which could be the actual number of law enforcement responding during an actual threat because of the limited resources in Eastern Oregon, he said. de Sully complimented the work Baker County has done to prepare for an active threat in the community. “Baker has really done a good job of having the conver- sation and planning,” he said. “But I would caution — don’t stop planning, continue to review the plan. Plan and be prepared for the worst.” SEARCH Investigation on hold until Friday Continued from Page 3A Stewart said he’s still wait- ing to hear more information from local authorities to see how the fi re will affect his business going forward. “This too will pass,” he said. “It won’t just pass today.” The scene looked much more uncertain Sunday, when We Sell Stuff was engulfed in fl ames. Store owner Greg Dixson opened We Sell Stuff in 2015 at 342 S.W. First St. On Sunday, he watched from the corner of Southwest First and Emigrant Avenue as black smoke billowed from the building and fi refi ghters attacked the blaze. Pendleton Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Penninger said a 911 caller at 1 p.m. reported seeing smoke drift out of the building. Pendleton Fire and Ambulance Services WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2019 LOCAL & STATE Scott Hensel: 63, of Hun- tington, died Sept. 27, 2019, at his home. Arrangements are under the direction of Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. To light a candle in memory of Scott, or to leave a condolence for his fam- ily, go to www.grayswestco.com Darrell Kessler: 88, of Baker City, died Sept. 29, 2019, at Set- tler’s Park Assisted Living Com- munity. Coles Tribute Center is in charge of arrangements. To light a candle in memory of Darrell or to leave a condolence for the family, go to www.colestribute center.com Norma Simmons Giles: 93, of Baker City, died Sept. 30, 2019, at Meadowbrook Place. Her funeral will be Monday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2625 Hughes Lane, with interment to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the LDS Humanitarian Aid Fund through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814. To light a candle in memory of Norma, or to leave a condolence for the family, go to www.colestributecenter.com POLICE LOG Baker City Police Arrests, citations THEFT OF LOST/MISLAID PROPERTY: Jacob Anthony Gal- van, 40, 1430 Third St., Haines, 8:13 p.m. Tuesday in the 1500 block of Campbell Street; cited and released. PROBATION VIOLATION (two counts) and THIRD-DEGREE THEFT: Brandi Marie Kasinger, 30, of 2617 12th St., 2:35 p.m. Monday, in the 1200 block of Campbell Street; jailed. Baker County Sheriff’s Offi ce PROBATION VIOLATION and FAILURE TO APPEAR (Baker County Justice Court warrants): Coryjoe Christopher Snyder, 37, address unknown, 11:40 a.m. Monday, at the Sheriff’s Offi ce; jailed.
