December 22, 2017 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com • 3A
Going up, up,
up to fight fires
New $1.2M
firefighting
apparatus
By R.J. Marx
Seaside Signal
ALLAN ERICKSON
Above, smoke billow upward from the fire at Avenue S in Sea-
side. Right, emergency personnel respond to the blaze.
NEAL MAINE/FOR SEASIDE SIGNAL
Fire engulfs Seaside home
EO Media Group
A mother and her young
son were evacuated a fire that
engulfed a house Wednesday,
Dec. 13, at 719 Avenue S in
Seaside.
The fire started around 1:30
p.m. and burned through all
of the two-story house. Prior
to evacuating the home, and
a mother noticed smoke com-
ing from the main floor. She
attempted to contain the ini-
tial flames, but when the fire
moved to a nearby wall and the
two left the home immediately.
While the cause is still
under
investigation,
the
fast-burning fire moved quick-
ly to the second floor where
fire crews required aerial ap-
paratus to manage the flames.
According to Hamlet Fire,
rews knocked the fire down
quickly, but the structure’s de-
sign made overhaul complicat-
ed and it took several hours to
fully extinguish.
The American Red Cross
responded to the scene and
is providing resources to the
displaced family. Seaside Fire
and Rescue was supported by
crews from Cannon Beach Fire
and Rescue, Gearhart Volunteer
Fire Department, Warrenton
Fire Department and the Ham-
let Rural Fire Protection Dis-
trict. Additional Clatsop Coun-
ty resources were also utilized
for coverage in the county.
“Judging by what we are
seeing right now, this house
will probably be a total loss
without going inside,” Sea-
side Fire Division Chief David
Rankin said.
In about 18 months, Sea-
side Fire and Rescue will be
the proud owner of a new
tractor-drawn aerial quint.
The nearly $1.2 million
firefighting apparatus pro-
vides five functions: pump,
water tank, fire hose, aerial
device and ground ladders.
The ladder will reach 100
feet — 25 feet more than the
fire department’s 75-foot
ladder truck — to meet the
needs of Seaside’s tallest
buildings, Fire Chief Joey
Daniels said at the Dec. 11
meeting of Seaside’s city
council.
The tractor-drawn aeri-
al, known as the tiller, will
offer navigability down
the city’s narrow one-way
streets.
“Through training and
viewing of it, we found the
tractor-drawn aerial — the
tiller — would be a lot more
versatile for our city,” Dan-
iels said.
In addition, the new rig
will fit in the city’s Broad-
way fire station without the
need to make building mod-
ifications.
The bid was presented
by General Fire Apparatus,
based in Spokane.
The second bid was only
$2,600 higher, Daniels said,
requiring meticulous review
of a 365-page proposal and
multiple trips to test-drive
vehicles.
The department’s 75-foot
ladder truck will remain in
use while the new vehicle
is built to specifications.
Daniels said. The engine
will take about eight to 11
months for delivery and the
truck about 12 to 18 months.
Funds for the appara-
tus, to be manufactured by
Rosenbauer America, will
come from the fire depart-
ment’s levy fund, Daniels
said. He thanked voters for
their support.
City councilors unani-
mously endorsed the pur-
chase.
“This is going to be such
a great addition to the safety
of our city,” Mayor Jay Bar-
ber said. “We’ll be able to
reach places we can’t right
now.”
Legion Post 99 presents a salute to veterans
Oldest Clatsop
County survivor
attends
Pearl Harbor
remembrance
Gretchen Jolly
serves up plates
of spaghetti at the
American Legion
Post 99 in Seaside
during a Veterans
Day event. The
legion will be serv-
ing the homeless
and needy Dec. 23.
By R.J. Marx
Seaside Signal
For members of Seaside
American Legion Post 99,
December is an important
month for veterans. The le-
gion post offers an annual
community holiday dinner
for the homeless and needy
on Saturday, Dec. 23, from 3
to 6 p.m.
Those who are not home-
less and needy are also invit-
ed and encouraged to partake
for a small donation to sup-
port this cause. Diners will be
served turkey and ham with
stuffing, veggies, mashed po-
tatoes and gravy and more.
The month opened with a
Pearl Harbor Day observance
at the Seaside Civic and Con-
vention Center.
Pearl Harbor Day has spe-
cial significance in Seaside.
“It means everything,” the
COLIN MURPHEY/
EO MEDIA GROUP
‘(Spurgeon
Keeth) is our
only survivor in
Clatsop County.’
Kim Wright
American Legion Post 99
post’s Kim Wright said.
The presence of Clatsop
County’s remaining Pearl
Harbor survivor, Spurgeon
D. Keeth, held special mean-
ing for those who gathered in
Seaside on Dec. 7. “This is
our only survivor in Clatsop
County,” Wright said. “Unfor-
tunately we lost Bill Thomas.”
Seaside’s Thomas, 95, who
was a sailor in the U.S. Navy
and stationed on the USS Me-
dusa, died one year ago.
“We hate losing anyone,”
Jeannie Petermann, the chap-
lain of the legion post, said.
“It’s just part of life. But
you’ve got to remember them.
That’s what the legion does.”
Velva Bradish, who provid-
ed assistance to the 92-year-
old Keeth, met him at Camp
Rilea, where she works in
the restaurant. “We heard
Spurgeon likes to be around
military guys,” Bradish said.
“They love him. They crowd
around him. They feed him.
They shake his hand. They
sing to him.”
What is the message they
receive from Keeth?
“To be humble,” Bradish
replied.
The legion post presents a
dinner for veterans and home-
less on Dec. 23.
ROSENBAUER AMERICA
Tractor-drawn aerial apparatus similar to the type pur-
chased by Seaside Fire and Rescue.
Top Brands. Factory-Direct Prices.
Free Coupon Book at Wine & Beer Haus or online,
www.seasideoutlets.com
OBITUARIES
Donna (Layton) Clark
Portland
Feb. 7, 1946 — Dec. 11, 2017
After a short illness, Donna
passed away on Dec. 11. Donna was
born in Portland and raised in Sea-
side, Oregon. She graduated from
Seaside High School in 1964.
Donna and Paul were married
July 1, 1966. Moving to Portland,
she worked as a secretary until her
daughters Lorrie and Amanda came
along, and then became a stay-at-
home mom. Later she worked 15
years as a school secretary at Mount
Tabor Middle School, retiring at the age of 55.
Donna was fiercely loyal, and
devoted to her many lifelong friends
and family. She is survived by her
husband, Paul; daughters Lorrie
Crooks (Slade) and Amanda Saun-
ders (Eric); and four grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held
Dec. 23 at 12:30 p.m. at the Kenne-
dy School; 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave. in
Portland.
In lieu of flowers, please donate
to the Oregon Humane Society in
Donna’s name.
CELEBRATE GREAT SAVINGS
FREE S
DLES
COR PLUS
25 Off
%
For sale DEcember 1st
when you Get Your
Christmas Tree Here, the
Proceeds go to
Kiwanis Club,
which puts kids fi rst!
Pictures with santa
DECEMBER
16 TH & 17 TH 11-4
DECEMBER
20 TH 4-7
Keep up on our
Select
re Series
Signatu
1/17
res 12/3
holiday events ,
the latest sales
Expi
and
Oregon Coast 503-738-5242
Lincoln City 541-994-9954
SW Washington 503-738-5242
www.budgetblinds.com
special offers
seasideoutlets.com
facebook.
No-questions-asked warranty + no-surprises price = no brainer.
*Applies to <XXXXXXXXX> window treatments. Restrictions may apply, ask for details.
Valid for a limited time, not valid with any other offers, discounts, or coupons. Offer good
at initial time of estimate only. At participating franchises only. ©2017 Budget Blinds, LLC.
All Rights Reserved. Budget Blinds is a trademark of Budget Blinds, LLC and a Home
Franchise Concepts Brand. Each franchise independently owned and operated.
kiwanis trees
Don’t DIY. Have an expert do-it-for-you. Budget Blinds gives you an exclusive combination of
design-driven products, expert service, no-surprises pricing, and our no-questions-asked warranty.
REGULAR HOURS: Monday-Saturday 10-8, Sunday 10-6
12 TH AVE. & HWY. 101, SEASIDE, OR • 503.717.1603