Tim Darland

High Prairie Fire Department gains a new Fire Commissioner, Anthony Perry. Welcome Anthony. We look forward in working with you over the ensuing months and/or years. A special thank you to Arlen Alekson for his service over the last 4 years.   

As I think back about fire department activities over the last year, I am filled with a host of emotions. These emotions range from excitement to sorrow. Department members had sought out and received grants and donations to the tune of $440,000, saved lives and property, extinguished fires and responded to motor vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. To date, we have had 117 calls for 2018 and had many “saves” but sometimes the outcome leaves us loosing family, neighbors, friends, property and homes. I shared an emotional experience at an HPCC meeting regarding a recent structure fire that I want to reflect upon. 

Volunteer fire departments often at times get a bad rap regarding structure fires. Many anecdotes out there end with the joke of “we never lost a foundation yet.” Spoiler alert, that’s how this story ends however, the details tell the true story. Please read the following report. 

On Saturday October 20th at 0701 hours High Prairie Fire District 14 and Lyle Fire District 4 were paged to a possible fire/burn pile on South Prairie Road. At 0703 hours, Dispatch re-paged Fire Districts 14 and 4 to inform them of a structure fire at 118 South Prairie Road. Districts 4 and 14 have an automatic aid agreement. Fire Chiefs from FD’s 14 and 4 responded at 0705 hours. Fire Chief Tim Darland upon arrival at 0714 hours, reported to dispatch that there was a fully involved structure and to request mutual aid from Southwest Fire with SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) entry level certified personnel. Chief Darland assumed command of the fire. Fire Chief Dave McCune of FD 4 arrived on scene at 0715 hours. During the initial walk-around assessment, the fire activity appeared to have dominated the kitchen area as that was the location of the highest severity of fire activity. The smoke detectors were activated. One of the reporting parties had taken two photos (thank you Samuel) around 0700 hours which confirms the highest severity of burning occurred in the kitchen area.

FD 14 1st due out Engine 1411 was in route at 0712 hours and arrived on scene at 0718 hours with 2 on board. During initial attack, three 1¾” preconnect hose lays were deployed, one to the north, one to the East and one to the west side of the building. Water and class A foam started flowing at 0720 hours. Aid 14 with one on board was in route at 0719 hours which would be utilized for firefighter rehab if needed. FD 14 1st due out Water Tender was in route at 0724 with one on board and the 2nd due out Water Tender was in route at 0727 hours with one on board. Once the water tenders were on-scene, a 2½” supply line was connected to Engine 1411.   

FD 4 1st due out Engine 401 arrived at 0724 hours with 2 on board. FD 4 Water Tender arrived at 0725 hours with 1 on board. Southwest Fire Truck #9 was in route at 0730 hours with 3 on board including Fire Chief Bill Hunsaker. Two firefighters in SCBA’s entered the structure and knocked down the fire. Attempts were made to enter the basement/crawl space, however, considering firefighter safety—the power not being disconnected and standing water in the area—the firefighters exited.

At 0739 hours the roof had noticeable sag and all firefighters exited the structure and overhaul would continue from outside the structure. Incident command notified Dispatch to page out Centerville Fire District 5 for support in overhaul activities. FD 5 was in route at 0742 hours with 3 on board in Brush 531 and FD 5 Chief Lawrence Browning in Command 5. 

Progress was being made attacking the fire from outside the structure. Smoke was visibly protruding from the vents around the bedrooms located at the south side of the structure. 

Multiple attempts were made to access the crawl space from outside the structure and Incident Command had discussions with Officers on scene for other tactics to control the fire. The only access to the basement/crawlspace was under the main living area from the north. Due to firefighter safety the crawl space could not be safely entered with the compromised roof and floor in the main living area. At 0859 hours, Incident Command contacted Dispatch to inform them we were taking a defensive approach and letting the structure burn.  

Dallesport Medic arrived on scene at 0901 hours to monitor firefighter health and rehab as necessary. 

Mutual aid resources began returning to their respective FD around 1000 hours. 

Mop up of the structure was completed at 1552 hours.

FD 14 units returned to the station and rehab of the equipment
was completed at 1745  hours. 

—End of Report—

In reviewing the pictures that Samuel took around 0700, my guess is that the fire was burning for 2 or more hours prior to the fire district response. This time is extremely hard to make up while trying to extinguish a fully involved structure.  All of our firefighters from multiple fire districts that were on scene did an amazing job almost catching this fire. This was a tough pill to swallow to take the defensive and allow the structure to completely burn to the foundation knowing we were so close to getting the fire out.  As you read through the narrative of the actions on the fire scene, firefighter safety will always guide the decisions made by Incident Command. I am truly honored to serve side by side with all of our first responders! 

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