Pine-Strawberry Fire District
P.O. Box 441  Pine, Arizona 85544
Phone: (928) 476-4272  Fax: (928) 476-4634
Website: www.pine-strawberryfire.com
Fire Chiefs Report – January 2015
Significant Incidents
On New Year’s Day, January 1, 2015, the day after the snow storm, both fire stations responded
to 5638 West Manzanita Trail for a reported residential fire. Engine 421 arrived to find smoke
issuing from the residence with the only occupant standing outside. The crew stretched a fire
attack hoseline and upon entry found the home well charged with smoke. The fire chief
responded to the incident immediately after dispatch and assumed command of the incident.
Engine 241 arrived shortly afterwards and also pulled a backup fire attack hoseline. Due to the
increasing smoke density and heat the location of the fire was difficult to find. After several
minutes the fire was located in the kitchen and had penetrated the concealed space in the wall.
Once discovered, crews quickly extinguished the fire.
About 1 AM on December 29, 2014 fire struck one of our own. The adjacent condo to firefighter
Hunter Scott’s home in Payson caught fire while he and his wife and young son were in
Flagstaff. The Payson Fire Department responded to find fire through the roof of that adjacent
apartment. Sadly, the fire also extended through the attic space above Hunters condo resulting
in severe damage to his unit. On a wonderful note, several members of the community stepped
forward with several hundred dollars in donations. Hunter and his wife and young son are
staying with his parents until the condo is re-built.
Snow Storm
On Wednesday morning of New Years Eve a major snow storm moved into the region. The
storm was well predicted and prepared for by public safety agencies – including the Fire
District. Snow levels in Strawberry reached 14-16 inches. Fortunately, the snow did not prevent
the Districts ability to respond. The fire chief used his Districts 4 wheel drive jeep, equipped
with wire chains, to deliver meals to elderly residents.
Cell Outage
On December 16, 2014 a major outage of cellular service outage occurred along with a loss of
internet service which affected the region. The outage extended from about noon to 7 PM and
restricted administrative activities. Fortunately, the District is not aware of any emergency
situations that occurred or where a person wasn’t able to report an emergency. Several
residents came to the District’s administrative office to place calls on the office’s hardliner
telephone service.
The failure was traced to a single cable that was carrying dual CenturyLink internet service and
Verizon cellular service. The fire chief wrote a letter to the Chief Executive Officers of both
companies expressing concern about the lack of redundancy in their vital communications
systems.
Strawberry Auto Closure
Long time auto repair shop Strawberry Auto has closed shop and the owner has retired.
Strawberry auto has provided maintenance and repair of our light vehicles for many years. Our
fleet maintenance coordinator is recommending that we use Millers Auto Repair, on West Main
Street in Payson, for maintenance and repair of our light vehicles.
Board Member Clark Bank Signature
Board member Mike Clark has completed the bank signature card requirements and is now fully
operational as a Board member.
Electronic Patient Reporting Transition
The Fire District met the federally stipulated January 1st transition from “hard copy” paper
patient reporting to fully electronic reporting using mobile tablet computers. The transition has
smoother than predicted. That relatively smooth transition can be credited to the commitment
of firefighters and the good work of coordinators Captain McCormick and Acting Captain Phil
Paine.
Cell Phone Pager System
In second week of January, 2015 the District implemented a cell phone pager system. The
system allows us to notify all full time and reserve firefighters to recall to staff stations or
respond to a working fire with one phone call. The system allows the District to form different
groups so that we can selectively call selected groups (reserve firefighters only to fill a short
notice shift vacancy). The system has already been used recall off duty firefighters to back fill
stations. The Districts Communication Coordinator, Captain Zach Graham used his talent to
implement the system.
Employee Assistance Fund
A revised employee assistance policy has been completed and will be on the February Board
meeting agenda. The Fire Chief continues to work with National Bank of Arizona to create the
most efficient checking or saving account to hold funds.