california department of forestry & fire...
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DECEMBER 2010MEU FAMILY NETWORK
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY & FIRE PROTECTION
Sept-Oct-Nov ISSUE 11
Last month, I had the great pleasure of attending the Region 1 reunion. The tremendous effort made by Ken Schleintz and the Region 1 Retiree Planning Committee in putting this event together was clearly demonstrated by the great success in attendance and camaraderie that evening. One of the truly valuable attributes of this Department is its people, employing a broad array of skills in accomplishing a mission. In the process, life-long relationships are forged and people from diverse backgrounds become family. Periodic reunions are held enabling people with these common experiences to remember, sometimes with questionable accuracy, recent incidents and those of long ago, the challenges faced and surmounted.
The Department is evolving constantly, and most of the reunion attendees started with far less training, wore different colored uniforms, and enforced laws that were developed in an entirely different political atmosphere.
Terminology has changed; remember when blackberries were used to make pies, pot was a word to describe a cooking utensil, and GPS was just a series of alpha characters? And, as times change, the functions and methods of the Department continue to change.
It was a little humbling to see and talk to so many people who had a part in making the Department what it is today. What is also very noticeable is the continued interest the retirees have in the activities of the Department as well the welfare of everyone involved in CAL FIRE activities. Davina Sentak and I visited with former Director Richard Wilson recently and found the same level of intense interest in the current and future direction of CAL FIRE. This same attitude can be found in current employees as well. There are many challenges that face us in the future, but one thing will be certain, it is our people who will make the difference and assure success.
The purpose of the MEU Family Network is to create opportunities for our employees and their families to get to know each other better, support one another and have some fun.
2011
Chief Chris Rowney
MESSAGE from The Chief ...
Welcome to the MEU Family Network Newsletter. This newsletter is for the employees, families and friends of the Cal Fire Mendocino Unit to help us stay connected and informed about events and happenings in the life of the Unit. Your contributions are encouraged and appreciated. Please send any articles of interest, up-coming events, photos, etc. to our editor Jan Moeller (retired MEU Fire Captain) : [email protected]
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The MEU Breakfast, for all working and retired employees and their guests, will be held in Willits on Monday Dec 5th at 0900 at the Lumberjacks Restaurant (south
end of town) - come on all you working people, join us for a fine time !
OCCASSION: HOLIDAY POTLUCK and KEN AZEVEDO RETIREMENT SEND-OFFDATE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011TIME: NOONLOCATION: HOWARD FOREST ~ MORE INFO TO FOLLOW AFTER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY ~
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CDF Original Region 1 Reunion
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Pictures this page by Brian Kornegay (Ret FC-MEU)
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See everyone (and more) next year in Humboldt !
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Congratulations !
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jann Smithʼs new granddaughter, baby Paetyn, daughter of FAE Chad Smith. Born November 3, 2011, 7 lbs. 13 oz. 19 ½ inches long
Baby Paetyn, dad Chad and mom Lisa Joseph all doing well!
Mom is FC Rachelle Steis (ECC) and dad is LT FC Kyle Steis (Boonville)
Congratulations !
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Shailyn is the Office Technician in Resource Management married to Steve Brewer, Correctional Officer from Chamberlain Creek Camp married on 10/8/11.
Shailyn & Steve’s Wedding
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Ben & Hollyʼs Wedding
Firefighters Ben O’Neill & Holly North were married on Sat. 11/19/11. (Ben was an LT FAE this year in HUU)
Congratulations All !
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2011 BREAKFAST DATES & PLACE BREAKFAST at 0900 Mondays
Next Breakfast : Monday Dec 5!Willits
Ukiah-HENNY PENNY-697 SO. Orchard Ave.Fort Bragg-DAVID's DELI-163 Boatyard Rd.
Willits- LUMBERJACKS* -1740 So Main St.All are welcome - Retirees and Working employees - Any questions call CAPTNKEN 707 328-8083 * old Perkos, south end of town
MENDOCINO UNIT RETIREE GROUP
Oct 3rd Breakfast in Ft Bragg
The MEU Breakfast is for Retirees and Working employees of all Units ... All are welcome !
Nov 7th Breakfast in Ukiah
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Jesse Pittman Memorial ServiceUkiah - September 2011
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Support Your Honor Guard
CAL FIRE HONOR GUARD
Bruce Gandy of Nova Scotia gives instruction to Dave Diggs, of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Mendocino unit, as the CDFF Pipes and Drum Band practice the bagpipes at Redding Air Attack Base this year.
The CDFF Pipes and Drum Band got some expert bagpipe lessons during the weekend when Bruce Gandy of Nova Scotia, a world-renowned bagpiper, visited Redding to give the band some tips, said Dale Wilson, a member of the 20-member group. The band is made up of current and retired California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection employees. Gandyʼs visit was a tuneup for the band, which participated in the Sacramento Valley Highland Games in Woodland on May 7 and 8. The band plays at funeral and memorial services, dedications and parades. The band also performed in the Rose Parade in Pasadena in January.
Matt McElhinny with Cal Fire in Mendocino practices the bagpipes at Redding Air Attack
Julie Peters/ Redding Record Searchlight
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Pieta Station - about 1945
Hopland CDF Fire Station
The NEW CDF Hopland Station 1947 - under construction
The CREW in 1947 - in the background is Hwy 101 - taken in front of the existing apparatus building (current 2011 location)
Before CDF Hopland was Hopland - other side of the gate is Hwy 101
(Picture taken facing East - the farm house in the upper left is still there)
replaced Pieta CDF Fire Camp (Station)
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CDF Hopland 1999 - shortly before being torn down for current station
CalFire Hopland 2011
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End Fire Season
A welcome Break for the Hopland crew of 2011 ! Fire Season Ends !!
A fine crew and an excellent station !
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A visit with Richard A. Wilson, former Director of CDF (1991 – 1999) By Davina Sentak and Randy Vann
Recently, Randy Vann (MEU HFEO) arranged a meeting with good friend and former CDF Director, Richard Wilson, at his home on Buck Mountain Ranch north of Covelo. We enjoyed a nice lunch and interesting conversation about Richard’s tenure as Director and the causes that have been near and dear to his heart over the course of his lifetime, centered around land use and watershed issues.
At left, Randy Vann, Richard Wilson and MEU Unit Chief Chris Rowney
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At right, Chris Rowney, Davina Sentak,and richard Wilson
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Much of the following information is taken from an interview with Richard in 2004 by Ann Lage from the UC Berkeley Bancroft Library as part of a regional oral history project. In the interview, Richard discusses his perspective as an environmentalist and conservationist living on the land. Richard espouses the concept of a “working landscape”, which flows from the question “how can we use the land in a way that is sustainable for future generations?”
Richard discussed the tension that exists between the environmental community which is more focused on preserving land as parks, often at enormous cost, and conservationists who believe the land is meant to be used. These can be dividing issues, when both groups see things as black and white and struggle to find the middle ground.
The first major issue that drew Richard into the political arena was the Dos Rios Dam proposal in the late 1960’s. This project was part of the second phase of the California Water Plan, designed to ship water to Southern California. Had this project gone through, it would have flooded Round Valley (Covelo) under 300 feet of water. Richard helped organize the Round Valley Conservation League, which worked to defeat the dam proposal. Richard worked with Ike Livermore, CA Resources Secretary, to bring this issue to the attention of then Governor Ronald Reagan. Reagan traveled to Round Valley with Livermore and met with Richard and the Round Valley Conservation League to look at the project first hand. Ultimately, Reagan vetoed the Dos Rios Dam project due to the cost of the project and environmental concerns related to unstable soil conditions.
Richard served on the Coastal Commission from 1971 to 1975, during which time Governor Reagan signed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to provide safeguards against such future projects.
Richard Wilson, Randy Vann & Lou Cannon (Reagan biographer and White House war correspondent for the Washington Post during the Vietnam War) following the 100th birthday celebration at the Reagan Library
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Not long after the defeat of the Dos Rios Dam project, came the My Ranch controversy. A developer purchased 8500 acres on the southwest end of the valley for a planned subdivision of half acre lots. This development project posed a number of concerns for local residents, including watershed and septic issues, as well as the prospect of taking such a large tract of good agricultural land out of production. Again, Richard worked with the Round Valley Conservation League to form a public referendum to defeat the project. It was a contentious battle, but the environmental constraints were real and the public understood what the problems were. Richard said, “If the public has time to digest and understand the issues, they will make the right and fair decision.”
In 1976, Richard was appointed to the Board of Forestry by Governor Jerry Brown, where he served until 1980 under Brown’s administration. Following his term on the Board of Forestry, he worked on the Citizen’s Committee on Sustainable Forest Practices, and was then appointed as Director of CDF by Governor Pete Wilson in 1991.
Richard’s interest in the timber industry developed out of concern with over-cutting by large timber companies, who were more interested in short term profits than long term sustainable harvest practices. The resulting impact on Covelo was the loss of one leg of the local economy and one aspect of a working landscape.
Ultimately, Covelo has a large area of land and options for the future exist for the area. In the 1970’s, Alan Chadwick worked with the Covelo Garden Project, and introduced the concepts of biodynamic and sustainable agricultural practices to the area. Out of that project, local organic farms and ranches have created new economic growth for the valley.
Richard states, “We have seen a change of heart among a core group of people who have recognized that what we have been doing isn’t working, and they have set their minds on sustainability.” Mendocino County offers a great case study in the Jackson Demonstration State Forest. 48,652 acres were purchased from the Caspar Lumber Company by the State of California in 1947 for one million dollars. It had been heavily logged for many years, and after the initial purchase, the land was allowed to rest for many years before logging practices resumed.
The purpose of the Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) is to demonstrate different methods of timber harvesting and timberland management, as well as providing a location for students to study the various aspects of forest and wildlife management. JDSF has proven to be economically viable, in that it provides jobs, a fish hatchery and recreational opportunities. It has also been a successful model for private industry. Hard core environmentalists have tried to shut it down and convert it to a State park. Contrary to the perspective of the environmentalists, CAL FIRE has done a good job of managing the forest. Timber companies generally harvest at a rate of 2% or above of inventory, but the JDSF harvests well below the 2% margin.
An example in the private industry is the Mendocino Redwood Company (formerly LP, GP & Palco timberlands) which has cut back on their harvesting, but they have to generate income to survive. They have been more than willing to work with the environmental community, but some are opposed to any commercial operation.
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In the timber industry you need “patient money” – if you cut too fast – you cannot maintain sustainable forestry. The question is, do we want productive timber resources? If so, what do we have to do to keep those lands productive and enable people to make a living? One has to wonder if there are enough companies in Mendocino County willing to pull together to promote sustainability in the timber industry.
When asked about the virtues of urban life verses rural life, Richard expressed his concern about housing taking over productive agricultural lands in California. He pointed to an example of when he was on the Coastal Commission, and he tried to prevent the development of the Oxnard Plain, some of the most productive soil for growing crops in California.
Richard sites Victor Hanson’s book, “The Land is Everything.” Where he says we have the technology to do so many things, but ultimately everything comes back to the land. Richard’s own point of view is shaped by his experience, as he says, “digging with a shovel.” It is his love of the land that ultimately forced him into the political process, but he says, “Fundamentally, regulatory agencies are essentially policemen. The idea of a working landscape is to move away from policing people to creating sustainable systems.”
Watersheds are a critical issue. Richard says, “When people say we will use good science, the question is, good science for who? We need an independent (non-governmental) perspective utilizing hard science to determine the best way to manage watersheds, and then allow the political process to manage it.”
People must to look to the future on these issues, beyond the immediate needs and consider the long term consequences. The San Onofre Nuclear Plant in Southern California is a good example. One reactor is shut down now and they don’t know what to do with it. They can’t move it anywhere, nobody wants it. Essentially, Richard says, we are not asking the right questions. Richard asks: “Do we have the resolve to ask the right questions? What do we want and how are we going to get there?”
!Current CAL FIRE Director Ken Pimlott and former CDF Director Richard A. Wilson
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MEUʼs New HQ ShopItʼs almost ready !
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The Office - Overhead Quarters
The Apparatus Building(attached)
Boonville Station - Fire Season 2011
Thank You Anderson Valley Fire Department for allowing CDF to use your station during Fire Season 2011 !
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Crew Quarters (upstairs rear)
Crew Quarters
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NEW Boonville Station - early October
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NEW Cloverdale Station - early October
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Chaplain’s Corner By Davina Sentak
As you prepare for this Thanksgiving holiday, I invite you to think about all the wonderful things God has done for you this year.
If you make a list, you probably will not recall all of the blessings that have come your way, but you will remember enough to humble you and fill you with gratitude.
And as you enjoy a wonderful meal with family and friends, don’t allow the turkey and the pumpkin pie to crowd out the real purpose of the day. Take time to talk about the goodness of God and share with those around you something that you are grateful for this year.
Have a Grateful Thanksgiving!
Blessings ~
Davina
Thought for Today:
This is a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever; in its place is something you have left behind…let it be something good.
Author Unknown