Sly Park Area Fire Safe Blog

Do you know a hero? 

 If so, please share your stories.

What is a hero? Don’t look this one up on the web as a “hero” can have so many meanings to each of us. In my case, my Mother is alive due to our hero, Kirk.

In late June, just before our last fire safe BBQ meeting my mother had a heart attack. She was as lucky as you can get. Yes, she is back home and doing well. But, this story would have had a different ending if it were not for our neighbor and close friend Kirk.

My mother is a retired California Highway Patrol dispatcher. Kirk is also retired CHP. One day as usual, together with my Mom’s husband and another neighbor, they were sharing some coffee and small talk when my Mom collapsed. Of course all responded. Kirk wanted to immediately call an ambulance, but my Mom strongly refused. I understand much dialog took place and Kirk called 911 against my Mom’s wishes.

Understand, my Mother who was one of the original volunteer members of the Pollock Pines ambulance in the early 60’s was trained for medial emergencies. Now she was declining similar life saving services she had provided to others.

In the face of physical and verbal opposition Kirk called 911 and gave her aspirin. The crew responded and Marshal Hospital treated her for a week. The doctors told us Kirk’s actions save her life. Now, there is more to this story, but the doctors’ statement told all we need to know.

My warmest thanks to Kirk and all those like him that do what needs to be done.

 
Best regards,
Mike Angles
 
P.S.  Mom does not remember the events of that day and Kirk
has become a member of our family that is often at the dinner table.

It's about common sense and legacy.

I just updated our web site announcing the June 1st evacuation drill for our first emergency exit route via Makinaw Street (off of lower Loch Leven Dr).

This route, a narrow 1 lane roadway will benefit the Environmental Education Center and Sly Park Hills. This solution has taken three years - Three long years when it should have been done years ago. It should have taken only months to complete, yet it took 3 years; road-block after road-block. Why?

Why should it take us so long to obtain an emergency exit route that benefits the community? Why are we unable to secure additional emergency routes? Does anyone care?  HELLO???

I have been a member of the Sly Park Hills Area Fire Safe Council for less than a year. When I first became a member I heard stories from those departing describing a political landscape of indifferent leadership and gamesmanship. Story after story I heard. Afterwards I thought, “this can’t be that difficult because of the apparent need”. This is forest fire country. It is a high risk area. These are facts. Clearly everyone understands the situation and will work as a community to improve our safety.

A review of the Sly Park Fire Corridor report written at the end of 2005 documented the urgent needs and potential solutions. OK, I said; I will join and I will even allow emergency access on my road easements to Arundel Road and Bela Vista Drive.  My neighbor also did so. It was the right thing to do.

After a year it is clear to me why it has taken three years for the Makinaw Street emergency route. Having grown up in Pollock Pines I am ashamed. They say you can never return home. I guess they are right. Home is not the physical place one wishes to return to; rather it is the sense of community, the pride in doing what is right and belonging. It is also about one’s legacy. What am I leaving when I depart? Will I be remembered? Will they name a lake after me or curse the day I was born?

If one life is saved by the efforts of my new friends on the fire safe council, we have done well. If many lives are spared due to our efforts, we will be remembered. I expect those who opposed us will have a different memory. I hope it is one they can live with. 

Regards, Mike Angles

May 29 note:  In writing my original post I failed to acknowledge those that made our new emergency route possible.  Many thanks to Marty Hackett and his OES team, EID, the US Forest Service, the folks at the Environmental Ed Center, Mike Slasher, Tom Schulz, The Todd's (Jan and Bob), Marvin Bukema, Craig Jones, Bill Buetow and the many past members of our fire safe council. Your contributions have added to the safety of our community.  I also wish to extend another thank you to Marty Hackett for setting up the June 1st drill and using the reverse 911 system to notify our community.

On Feb 10, I drove my SUV with a car trailer in tow to my property on Emerald Forest Road. The gravel road was snow covered and upon reaching my driveway gate I determined the snow was too deep to continue. Since there was no place to turn around and the slippery surface prevented me from backing up with the trailer, I left my car on the snow covered road at night fall.

Upon returning the next morning with my sister, nephew and a tractor, we started the task of retrieval. Shortly after our arrival a SO unit drove out from my car. I identified myself as the parked car and land owner.

The officer driving advised it was an emergency road and that my car was subject to be towed. I told him it was a private road used one neighbor and myself and connected to Arundel. Needless to say, we both disagreed strongly.

I also asked him to advise OES that the SO considered this "private road" as an emergency road. After a brief exchange I was advised to remove my car and to consider this a warning.

Was I wrong?

Does the SO in fact have the authority to tow my car? Is this road in fact an emergency road in the county's eyes? What about our gates, one of which is open and the other has fallen down? Of course the land and road are posted with No trust passing signs. I agree it is rude to leave a car blocking the road, but what authority does the SO have?

Life is not all about work and no play.  So, we have created this family oriented blog with stories and pictures to bring a smile to all who visit.  Have a story to share, send it to us at mike@SlyParkFireSafe.org

As a starter, here's a story about how the "Bear crossed the road" from an unknown source.

This web site provides Fire Safe information to help our community prepare and reduce our fire danager.

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