Jake Jakabosky
The High Prairie Fire Department has (almost) lost another long-term, valuable member. Fred Henchell, a department fixture for the past 16 years, declares the summer heat is getting to him, so “it’s time to get out of the kitchen” and retire.
Well, he may be retiring from active duty, but you won’t find him sitting around much. Fred intends to continue on with a few of his pet projects, like the Firewise Committee, the inventory of potential water sources for drafting (filling the tender from surface water sources for firefighting), and coordinating the flow of information between amateur radio users and Klickitat County Search and Rescue during major emergencies.
As if that isn’t enough, Fred will also continue as the installer of home address numbers and road signs to assist emergency responders in quickly locating residences. He is also investigating the possibility of driving his big red pickup and playing “gofer” during large fires by chasing down parts and equipment and delivering meals to hungry firefighters.
Even with that, Fred isn’t done “helping around the place.” He will continue on as High Prairie Community Council Treasurer and a collector of local weather data. (See his article elsewhere in this issue.)
Fred got his lifelong start in fire management soon after signing up as a forestry major at the University of California, Berkeley in 1957. By 1959 he was part of the Angeles National Forest Zuni Indian Hotshot Crew. After a mandatory stint in the military and more Berkeley time, he worked prescribed and wild fires in the redwoods for a while and then moved to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in 1989 to work on timber sales, recreation planning, and environmental analysis.
By 1996 Fred and his wife, Cindy, had moved to High Prairie, and both were commuting to work in the Trout Lake area until he retired in 2000. Fred became a High Prairie Fire Commissioner in 1999, serving for 7 years. He joined the fire department the same year, and soon became an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). Cindy also joined in by becoming the Fire Department secretary.
Fred has always been the first to jump in when something needs done around the fire hall or community center, like cutting weeds, sharpening fire tools, constructing the well house, or—most recently—hanging the glass document case in the community center.
When you see Fred, be sure to give him a big slap on the back and thank him for his years of service looking out for all us folks on High Prairie. And anyone out there who’d care to make a stab at filling his boots as a department first responder— give us a ring. We can always use more help.