Our Time 55+
Our Time 55+
Special Section
God’s Haulin’ Food Wagon, pg 7
Lila and Rock Wickham of Cannon Beach, pg 5
2024
Stay active with community events, pg 3 Photo by Patricia Barry, Rockaway Beach Chamber of Commerce
Inside
Pat Patterson’s Totem Pole restoration project, pgs 6-7
Headlight Herald
Citizen North Coast
Friday, June 14, 2024 | Vol. 48, Issue 6
Fire Chief Reckmann Discusses Recent Fire District Improvements BOB ATIYEH for the Gazette
The Cannon Beach Gazette had an opportunity to talk with Cannon Beach Fire District Chief Marc Reckmann about the significant improvement in response times to emergencies due to increased staffing levels, recent seismic upgrades to the fire station, the COWS warning system and the lifeguard program. Chief Reckmann said that about 100 people attended the fire district open house in May; providing an opportunity to educate and update residents, some of whom were unaware of the recent changes and improvements. Reckmann reported that the significant increase in funding resulting from a combination of the prepared food tax and the passage of the November tax levy has been transformative for the fire district, providing a sustainable ten-year financial plan, along with a stable source of revenue for a capital reserve fund for periodic replacement of emergency vehicles and critical life-saving emergency and rescue equipment. The prepared food tax, approved by a narrow margin of Cannon Beach voters in November 2021, went into effect in July 2022 and provided funding for the fire district to hire three full-time paid firefighters in January 2023 to staff the fire station 24 hours a day, 7 days a week over three revolving shifts. Revenue from the prepared food tax also allowed the fire district to hire a fire marshal, while continuing to fund a captain/inspector and the parttime firefighter program. The new tax levy, narrowly approved by voters in November 2023, which replaced two expiring levies, provided funding for three additional full-time paid firefighters who were hired in March 2024; while continuing to fund the fire chief position, a deputy chief responsible for training, and an administrative position. The November tax levy also provides revenue for a capital reserve fund, which frees the district from asking voters to approve future bond measures to replace emergency vehicles. Prior to this tax levy, Cannon Beach voters had approved a 10-year bond to replace the ladder truck; with that bond completely paid-off in
2023. On most days there are four firefighters on duty at the Cannon Beach fire station, resulting in a significant improvement in response times to emergencies. The desired “standard of coverage” is to arrive at the scene of an emergency within seven minutes, which is now being met 100% of the time within the Cannon Beach city limits. The paid staff are currently assisted by 21 dedicated part-time employees and volunteers, along with several student volunteers. The number of volunteers declined during the Covid pandemic, with many forced to move out of the area after losing their housing due to the rapid increase in home prices and rents; so the recent increase in the number of volunteers is welcome news. As the total number of emergency responses continues to increase, Reckmann reported a surprising trend showing that
the number of emergency calls involving residents has also been increasing, likely due to an aging population. Cannon Beach residents now account for about 40% of all emergency responses, which is a significant increase from less than 30% a few years ago. The recent seismic renovation of the thirty-year-old fire station is nearly complete. Paid for with a $1.9 million state grant, along with $30,000 from the district’s budget, the extensive renovation began in September 2023. The upgrade included bracing and strapping walls to resist ground movement during a seismic event, new siding, exterior windows and doors, lighting, flooring, an upstairs kitchen, installing heaters and replacing the apparatus bay doors, and replacing a section of the apparatus bay floor that was sinking. A Federal Emergency Management Agency grant paid for a vehicle exhaust system to protect firefighters from the toxic
effects of diesel exhaust. Chief Reckmann said that the Cannon Beach COWS warning system, which consists of eight towers (six in Cannon Beach and two in Arch Cape) is being completely refurbished and rebuilt with new receivers, transmitters and speakers. Completion of the upgrade has taken far longer than anticipated due to delays in obtaining equipment and permits. The City of Cannon Beach assumed responsibility for the COWS warning system through an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) signed with the Fire District in 2022. Upgrades to the warning system started the week of June 3rd, with contractors returning in July to complete the project. The prolonged activation of the siren during the early morning of June 5th was not caused by ongoing work on the warning system but resulted from a failure of a component in the system. Failures such as these are the reason the system is
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being upgraded. A new rescue vehicle, ordered in 2020, was placed into service in 2023. This rescue vehicle provides support and equipment for technical rescues; including surf, high-angle/rope, trail and other types of technical rescues. The Fire District was able to save a significant amount of money when purchasing a new fire engine in 2021 by combining their order with other fire departments; with this new fire engine finally placed into service after significant Covid-related delays in delivery. The fire district began managing the city-run beach lifeguard program utilizing district personnel in the summer of 2023, and assumed full responsibility for the program through an IGA signed with the city in March 2024. The district currently staffs the lifeguard program with a minimum of two lifeguards on the beach every day from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend: with an eventual goal of four lifeguards on duty every day. While one lifeguard remains in the tower in front of Haystack Rock, the other lifeguards roam the beaches in vehicles, educating visitors and looking for potential problems with people recreating near dangerous rip currents, such as the ones located just north of Haystack Rock and at the north end of Chapman Beach. Chief Reckmann added that there have been lifeguards on the beach at least four days a week (depending on weather) since midApril, with two surf rescues occurring at Indian Beach in early April. The fire district started the 2024 season with eight lifeguards, and on June 19th will add a lifeguard program manager with extensive experience in Hawaii. The Firefighter’s Association purchased two new jet skis for surf rescues in 2022. The fire district repaired or replaced several lifeguard vehicles, which were transferred from the City of Cannon Beach when the district assumed responsibility for the lifeguard program. Lifeguards and fire district personnel performed multiple surf rescues during the 2023 summer season, with no loss of life while lifeguards were on duty, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Cannon Beach lifeguard program.
Psychological first aid in a disaster DEB ATIYEH for the Gazette
On Saturday May 18th, the Cannon Beach Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) gathered at the Cannon Beach Community Church for training on “psychological first aid”, presented by Lisa Kaufman, a behavioral health and emergency planning consultant. Members of Cannon Beach DART and MRC were joined by members of Cannon Beach CERT, Clatsop County Search and Rescue, Seaside CERT and Nehalem Bay CERT. “Psychological First Aid is a supportive and compassionate response designed to reduce acute psychological distress and to provide immediate support to people affected by disasters.” The participants learned about how emergency events and mass trauma events affect the behavioral health of individuals, families and communities. The goal was to define and formulate psychological first-aid techniques to reduce and mitigate the stress of emergency events with a timely response to emergencies and mass trauma disasters. The reality of disaster behavioral health is that no one who sees a disaster is untouched by it. Disasters can affect the individual as well as the social fabric of a community. The physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual responses to a crisis can vary depending on how one reacts to the stress of the situation and those who will need more support. A Cascadia subductionzone earthquake and tsunami in Cannon Beach is a disaster no one wants to experience; with a major windstorm, wildfire or flood more likely to occur in the near future. Emergency responders and community volunteers need to be prepared to help the 1,500 residents, in addition to the large number of visitors who would need assistance following a major disaster, with the majority of them unprepared. In the aftermath of a major disaster, outside assistance to Cannon Beach will be delayed for days or weeks. It is important to be prepared with “go bags” for yourself, family members and your pets so that volunteers and professional responders are able to assist and mitigate some of the emotional and psychological strain that many of us will experience. Information on go bags can be found on the City of Cannon Beach website under Emergency Management.
DART Training for Emergency Pet Sheltering DEB ATIYEH for the Gazette
Members of the Cannon Beach Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) gathered for training on emergency pet sheltering at Cannon Beach city hall on Sunday, May 19th. Members of Cannon Beach DART were joined by members of the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), with the training led by Lisa Kaufman, a consultant in Community Emergency Planning and Behavioral Health. The training focused on the themes of safety and
security while covering the basics of emergency animal sheltering in the event of an emergency. Safe methods for volunteers working with animals and assisting owners were discussed. The objective of the training was to understand the role of an emergency disaster pet shelter and to assist pet owners with the safety and security of their pets before, during and after a disaster. Attendees learned many useful techniques about how to handle a dog in an emergency shelter or during other difficult situations. Cats were also addressed. The Federal Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act)
of 2006 requires state and local emergency preparedness operational plans to take into account the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals, before, during and after a disaster. If an emergency/disaster shelter is opened, provisions must be made to provide shelter for household pets and service animals. During a disaster, it is common for people to be reluctant to leave their homes and pets, which can put them and first responders at significant risk. It is reassuring if pet owners can evacuate with their pets while knowing that they have a safe place to go where there
will be trained professionals to help them deal with their pets and manage any injuries or concerns. The community of Cannon Beach is fortunate to have Bob Kroll, a retired veterinary neurologist, who will lead and assist DART volunteers in the event of a natural disaster. Trained volunteers are needed for all shifts during a disaster, as people and their pets could arrive at all hours of the day or night. Cannon Beach is more prepared than many other coastal communities because of the commitment of DART volunteers, in addition to the pet supplies gathered and safely cached at several sites around town.
Pets that might be brought to an emergency shelter can range from familiar household pets to exotic birds, reptiles, gerbils, hamsters and more. Owners should have a plan for their pets and be prepared to leave home with them in event of a disaster. Essential items include food, medications, proof of vaccination and medical records, a crate and leash along with collars and up-to-date ID tags. It is important to have your pet micro-chipped, as it provides the best chance for them to be reunited with you if they are lost. Two photos, one of your pet and one of you with your pet, will be valuable to prove
you are their guardian if you should get separated from your pet and come to a shelter to claim them. Having volunteers with good animal handling skills reduces stress for the owner, the pet and everyone at the shelter. However, while spending time at an emergency shelter, the routine care of a pet is typically the responsibility of the owner. Be prepared, make a plan, and prepare a disaster kit for you and your pet. Visit the City of Cannon Beach website (under Emergency Management) for information about pet “go-kits” and how to get involved if you would like to volunteer.