Summit Siren
August 2009 Newsletter
- Thoughts from the Chief
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
If you travel down Townsend –Winona Road, you’ll see that a tremendous amount of work has been done to reduce the
vegetation along the roadway. While we’re not through with this work, we are well on our way to getting it completed. I’d like
to acknowledge the efforts of the Coconino National Forest and the Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership and the vision that
was needed to reduce the fuel loading not just in our area but all around Flagstaff. The work on the ground has been done by
the various “Hand Crews” from different agencies. The Mormon Lake and Flagstaff Hot Shots, City of Flagstaff Fuels Crew,
and the crews from the Pinewood, Highlands and Summit Fire Departments are the young people that have done the hands on
work. We are grateful to have these crews working in our area because of the threat from wildland fire due to the significant
mortality rate of both pine and juniper along this corridor. There are many piles that have been stacked by the crews that you
see along the roadway. These will be burned at a later date when the conditions are right. There is wood in some of these piles
that is available for your use. We ask that if you do remove wood from any of the piles that you throw the remainder of the
material back onto the pile so we don’t have to duplicate our work and the piles will remain ready for burning.
This cooperative effort has put a big dent in our concerns at the Summit FD of a wildfire gaining momentum and getting out of
control along the T/W Corridor. The next area that we will be working is the area on the west side of Highway 89 from the
Sandy Seep area north towards Lenox Road. This work is invaluable to protecting our community. There are many of us at
Summit FD who have had the opportunity to go to fires elsewhere in the country that threatened communities. In some cases
entire communities have been destroyed and in other cases, we were able to keep fires from creating significant loss.
Invariably, it was those areas that had been thinned and prepared for wildfire that we were able to make a difference. While
this year is the slowest in 30 years for wildfires in our nation, we want you to know that we are continuing to work every day,
and with the help of our partners we are making our community a safer place to live.
At our August 19th Board meeting, the fire board will be voting on whether to merge with the Fort Valley Fire District. We feel
that this is a major step in the right direction and will help both communities on several levels. If you have any interest in
making comments to the fire board, you may submit them in writing and we will provide them to the fire board during the
meeting. You are also welcome to come to the board meeting and address the fire board.
We want to inform you that we are going to provide only 2 newsletters this year. As always, if you have any questions or
comments please feel free to give us a call at (928) 526-9537 or stop by a station.
Thanks for your support in the past and we hope you have a great rest of the Summer.
Don Howard, Chief
Coconino County Updates
Supervisor Liz Archuleta , District 2
Supervisor Mandy Metzger, District 4
Summer Greetings and we want to share a few things going on in your area.
Picnic in the Park – Supervisor Archuleta and Supervisor Metzger are pleased to once again co-sponsor the 9th Annual Picnic
in the Park. Please join us for FREE BBQ, games, raffles, and music on Saturday, August 29th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
at Peaks View Park on Koch Field Road.
Neighborhood Watch Meetings: Please come and join in on your Neighborhood Watch meetings held each month. The
Timberline/Fernwood Neighborhood meeting is held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at Summit Fire Station #33 (Hwy 89)
at 6:30 p.m. The Doney Park Neighborhood meeting is held on the 1st Thursday of each month at Cromer Elementary School
at 6:00 p.m. Help make your neighborhood a safer place.
Back to School Resource Fair is being held Saturday, August 1, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Health and
Community Services Building (2625 N. King Street) in Flagstaff. We will be providing immunizations required for school aged
children, dental screenings, and informational booths.
Coconino County Senior Services wants to remind you each year to have a Benefits Check Up. Save money and find help
you may not know about for utility discounts, prescriptions and food. We can help you find out or go to www.
benefitscheckup.org. *Medicare Cost Share for low income – pays the $94.60 Medicare Part B premiums for those with
monthly incomes at $1,219 or less. If you qualify, this amount goes back into your Social Security check. *Transportation
assistance – We help seniors on VanLift travel to and from the senior lunch program and provide mileage reimbursement for
volunteer drivers to anywhere. Call Senior Services Staff at (928) 679-7425.
Housing Services Programs - Coconino County Housing Services is now accepting applications for the following programs
(for low-moderate income residents):
Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation,
Owner Occupied Emergency Repair program, and
Unisource appliance repair and replacement.
We are also in the process of developing new energy efficiency programs with more information in the coming months. Any
questions, applications or information regarding existing or new programs, please call Jack Clark, Program Coordinator at (928)
679-7465.
Public Works would like to congratulate everyone on the Free Dump Day and the great response from the communities to
clean up their yards this year. Here is the statistics on your accomplishments: The Regional Clean-Up held at the landfill, which
included “the Doney Park, Timberline and Fernwood communities”:
- 738 people surveyed
1,318 loads of waste accepted
49.9% waste
24.5% forest materials
25.6% recycling
Total of 336.41 tons.
- Thank you for all your hard work!
Community Services would like to announce a few programs that they offer to the community.
Basic Business Empowerment (BBE)
(www.coconino.az.gov/comsvcs.aspx?id=5497)
First Step FastTrac® (FSFT) Business Development Training: This 36-hour basic business training utilizes Kauffman
Foundation/First Step Fund curriculum to assist fledgling entrepreneurs assess micro-business concept feasibility and to begin
planning for business success.
Individual Development Account (IDA) Match Savings: Federal and local grants match earned income saved by
participants. Each dollar savedbusiness (up to $2,000) is matched by two grant dollars.
Northern Arizona Native American Culture Trail (NANACT): This is an effort to assist Native Americans who are starting or
expanding artisan and other culture-based businesses. The U.S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau is funding basic
business marketing workshops and development of a website to facilitate improved cross-cultural exchange and economic
development.
Arizona HomeTown Competitiveness (AZHTC): This is an effort to jump-start public, private and nonprofit sector
collaboration for community and economic development by focusing on growing Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Youth
Engagement, and Community Philanthropy.
Collaborating to Build Better Communities (CBBC): This program works with civic and faith-based organizations and
congregations to reduce service duplication and stretch limited resources for improved community services delivery and the
promotion of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD). For more information please contact Scott Neumann at (928)
679-7463.
Health Department: Rabies Quarantine have been extended and amended. Beginning August 13, 2009, the Quarantine area
will be reduced to include two large locations on the east side of Flagstaff. The Quarantine will continue until September 13,
2009 for this portion of Flagstaff to allow for the completion of the rabies response plan. Maps detailing the Quarantine areas
are available at www.coconino.az.gov/health. For more information, visit www.coconino.az.gov/health or call the CCHD
Rabies Information Line at (928) 679-7350.
Supervisor Liz Archuleta, 779-6578
Supervisor Mandy Metzger, 679-7154
Burn Permits
You are required to have a burn permit before burning any weeds, paper or branches. The burn permits are FREE and have
no expiration for as long as you own the property.
If you do not have a burn permit, please call before driving to the station to get your permit. You can get a permit at any of our
three stations:
Station 31 6425 N. Cosnino Road 526-0344
Station 32 8905 N. Koch Field Road 526-9537
Station 33 6050 E. Firehouse Lane 526-1724
Please make sure you read your copy of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) rules and regulations for
there are some things that you are not allowed to burn such as plastic.
Burn times are:
- 9:00 am to 4:00 pm April through September
9:00 am to 3:00 pm October and March
10:00 am to 2:00 pm November through February
- Please abide by the burning times and call Station 32 at (928) 526-9537 before you burn.
- Summit Fire Board Members
- Chairman William Dunlap Sr.
Clerk Gary Selig
Member Dan Atkinson
Member Randy James
- Member Rick Parker
The Board meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm at Station 32 at 8905 North Koch Field Road.
The public and residents of the community are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Station 32 at (928) 526-9537.
April through June showers brought a lot of July Flowers
- By Captain Chris Fennell and Buck Ashbrook
- With all the moisture we have experienced up to date this summer, the grass, trees, shrubs and other foliage has had a
tremendous growth spurt. What does that mean for you as a homeowner? As these fuels dry out, they become more available
to burn and could lead to an out of control fire. How do you prevent this from happening at your home?
- Create defensible space by…
Keeping weeds and grass mowed down close to your home and underneath trees
Keeping tree limbs trimmed up 1 ½ times the height of the fuel below
Cleaning pine needles and debris from gutters
Removing flammable material from under decks
Pile firewood away from your home
Utilize fire resistive landscaping
Typically we see two fire seasons locally, the first in is March through June and the second is September through November.
We made it through the first season without any major incidents and hope the trend continues. By investing some time and
effort into protecting your home, you create a safer environment for everyone.
For more information on how to further protect your home, please contact Chris or Buck at Station 32 at (928) 526-9537.
Assistance may be available to elderly or disabled residents.
Thank you and enjoy the rest of the summer!
Friends and Family CPR Classes
- CPR has been a proven tool that can save the life of someone experiencing a heart attack. The Summit Fire District conducts
regularly scheduled CPR classes.
The next Friends and Family CPR classes are scheduled for September 14th and November 9th. Classes are from 6:00 pm to
9:00 pm at Station 32 at 8905 North Koch Field Road.
For more information or to register for this class, contact Brian Walsh at (928) 526-9537.
- Please Note: This class is NOT for certification purposes.
Procession for a Fallen Soldier
Eric Lindstrom was a soldier and Flagstaff resident who was returned to Flagstaff on July 21st after being shot and killed in
Afghanistan. There was a procession for him and his family from the Flagstaff Airport to his mortuary. There were several of
us from SFD that went to the procession. While all of us wished there was no need for the procession, it was a wonderful sight
to see so many people from the Flagstaff area out and on the streets to show their thoughtfulness to Eric and his family. We as
a people in the Flagstaff area come together to show this kind of tremendous support when tragedies happen. While many
differences exist on many issues, we hope that we can always come together, not only in times of tragedy but also at other
times of need. The area we call home is a special place, made up of many wonderful people and today’s procession was just
one example of the great and wonderful goodness that exists within all of us. The Summit Fire Family sends their condolences
to the Eric Lindstrom Family.
- Blood Drive
Summit Fire District is having a Blood Drive on Thursday, November 19th from 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm at Summit Fire Station
32 on 8905 North Koch Field Road.
To make an appointment, please call 1-877-448-GIVE (4483) or go to www.bloodhero.com and Sponsor Code: SFD. You
can also call the fire station at (928) 526-9537.
Only one in twenty people regularly give blood. For every person in need of blood, the simple act of giving is heroic. Please be
a Hero and give blood!
- Holiday Trees
Local businesses would like to share with neighbors for the holidays by donating Christmas trees for families in need.
Novakinetics will provide three 5’- 6’ cut real evergreens for local homes. Recipients will be selected by the Summit Fire
District Auxiliary. Please contact Michelle Corning for applications or donations at (928) 522-8112 or email
michelle@novakinetics.com.
- KKONA Discussion Group
On Thursday, August 13th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Summit Fire Station 32 at 8905 North Koch Field Road, there will be a
discussion group for relatives raising relatives’ children. KKONA (Kinship Kare of Northern Arizona), a program of the
University of Arizona’s Coconino County Cooperative Extension, provides opportunities for caregivers who are raising children
of family members, to exchange ideas and solutions with other caregivers in a comfortable and confidential environment.
Potluck and child care are provided. Call Christine Coverdale at (928) 774-1868 ext. 16 for more information.
- Summit Fire Auxiliary
The Summit Fire Auxiliary helps the fire department and the community by providing assistance to victims of fires and serious
traffic accidents. We also help families at Thanksgiving and Christmas so that they may enjoy a nice holiday meal and receive
a few gifts for Christmas.
The Auxiliary pays for this by conducting fund-raisers. Some of our current fund-raisers are:
Summit Fire coffee mugs—which we are selling for $5.00. The mugs are navy blue with gold writing, and they are dishwasher
and microwave safe!
Summer Swap Meet—on Saturday, September 26th from 9 am to 3 pm. Vendor spaces are just $10.
Flower Power—beautify your home and garden with lovely flowers and contribute to a great cause. You can order flowers or
bulbs from any Auxiliary member or you can also go online to flowerpowerfundraising.com. Click on “Find an organization”.
Type in “Summit Fire District Auxiliary” and shop.
The Legends of Country Music Concert - the Auxiliary is co-sponsoring this concert with Flagstaff Firefighters Local 1505.
The concert is 90 minutes of great music and tickets are only $15. Watch for more information coming - December 4th at 7:30
pm at the Orpheum.
For more information on this event or any fundraiser, call Station 32 at (928) 526-9537.
Flag Retiring Ceremony
Cub Scout Pack 142, sponsored by the Cromer School PTO, will be retiring United States and Arizona flags at their
November Pack meeting on Thursday,19th at 6:30 pm. If you have a United States or Arizona flag that has seen its better day,
is tattered, torn or worn, please drop the flag by any of theFire District stations in the Doney Park/Koch Field/Timberline or
Fernwood areas to be properly retired. You are more than welcome to come out and watch the flag retiring ceremony in the
parking lot at Cromer School.
For more information, contact Bob Braatz at (928) 526-2209.
- How Easy is it to Find your Address?
During an emergency, time is of the essence -the faster we can arrive on scene, the better. Some homes located within the
Summit Fire District are not well marked with the address numbers. We have detailed map books in our trucks and also double
check for a posted address prior to entering into a driveway. If there are no house numbers, it could cause us to miss the right
house. Most of the time, we arrive at the right house, but if it is your emergency, do you want us going to your neighbors? To
help reduce the chances of this happening to you, we are offering house numbers as well as placards to the residents of the
Summit Fire District at no charge.
Is your address posted? If you have the numbers posted already, are they readable from the street? Are the numbers posted
on the driveway and on the house? Are you located on a corner lot with access from two sides, if so are both driveways
labeled? If you can answer “no” to any of these questions, please take advantage of this program by calling Station 32 at (928)
526-9537.
If you have questions about where to post your address, we can come to your residence and offer suggestions, or assist with
mounting the numbers in an appropriate place.
Please remember to change the batteries in your Smoke Detectors!
Seat Belts and Child Safety Seats
Summit Fire Department
Public Education Team
It’s that time of year again where the weather is beautiful and we all love to be outside and hit the open road.matter what the
time of year, where you may travel or how far your travels take you, remember to BUCKLE UP.61 percent of Americans
always use their seat belts when they're driving in their car. Another 30 percent sometimes use the belts and nine percent never
do. Yet, seat belts can reduce injuries and medical costs by 50 percent. Child safety seats should be used from the first time
the child is in a car until they are big enough to use an adult seat belt properly. Age appropriate car seats and booster seats are
available. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for correct use.
The Summit Fire Department responds to hundreds of incidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles and diesel trucks; most of
these incidents are motor vehicle accidents.year 15,000 lives could be saved if everyone wore seat belts. In many cases, no
safety belt was worn and the child was sitting on the front seat during a short trip. In some cases, a child was riding
unrestrained in back of an open pickup truck bed or camper.
Children must understand the importance of seat belt use. In fact, it's the law! Putting on a seat belt should become a routine
habit. While there are a variety of reasons why people don't use seat belts, most are based on misconceptions and fallacies.
We can expect to be in a car crash once every 10 years, and a serious one every 20 years. At some point in their life, 85
percent of the population will be involved in a serious car crash. The forces involved are horrendous.30 miles per hour, an
unrestrained passenger weighing 150 pounds exerts the force of more than two tons as it crashes against another object. This is
enough to kill!
For your safety, the safety of your family and your fellow motorist, please buckle up and drive with care.
Summit Fire Department currently has five Car Seat Technicians which are here to assist you with your safety restraint needs.
For more information on seatbelt, child restraint safety or to schedule an appointment with a technician, please call (928) 526-
9537 or visit our website at summitfiredepartment.org.
Vision begins with one person, but it is
only accomplished by many people.
7th Annual Summit Car Show and Poker Run
On June 12th and 13th the Summit Firefighters Local 1505 held their 7th Annual Car Show and Poker Run. The show is a
charity event which raises money for the union charity fund. Union Charity funds help support youth programs and people in
need in our fire district.
This year’s show drew our largest number of entrees at 91 cars, both from local clubs and around the state. The two day event
netted approximately $3000 toward our charity fund.
Friday began with a Burger Burn and informal show. Friday’s attendees were able to preselect their spots for Saturday’s
show. Saturday morning began with the car show; during the show the fourth annual Valve Cover Races were held. They
proved to be very exciting with several races decided by the instant video replay. In the afternoon, many of the entrants
participated in the Poker Run which took the cars throughout the fire district. The event concluded with the awards assembly
where the Best of Show, Class Trophies and Special Awards were handed out.
The Local 1505 would like to thank the local car clubs, and numerous sponsors who make this event possible each year.
Congratulations!
Summit Fire Department is growing, and with that growth comes new leadership. The following firefighters have been
promoted to Captain:
- Fernando Hernandez
Brian Walsh
John Wesbrock
Welcome!
Summit Fire would like to welcome their two newest members to the Summit Family.
A baby girl, Jadyn Aleyse on February 20th to Rich and Stacey Jamison.
A baby girl, Charlotte Grace on June 16th to Matt and Hope Gibbs.
Congratulations to all and welcome!