redmond smokejumpers

| View all posts by Bill Gabbert. If I was to jump ten straight seasons down here and had to chose between doing it with a round or square, Id take a square. You leave your boots on. We are committed to providing the Central Oregon community Please keep in mind our commenting ground rules before you post a comment. A smokejumper was seriously injured Sunday May 15 during a training parachute jump. Before you can even get into the plane, you go through weeks of training and physical fitness tests. Ben Elkind is a smokejumper for the U.S. Forest Service based out of Redmond. About This hotshot crew may have been deployed to Alaska. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Homestead Helicopters Wildland Firefighting Missoula MT patch at the best online prices at eBay! . All day long, youre this coiled spring thats waiting for that [alarm] just to sound off.. You know you lose that income and it is -- you dont want to make a big deal out of it, and I'm never going to complain about it, but you just kind of lay there in bed and crunch some numbers about the reality of the situation, Elkind said. [citation needed]. After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire. A Dream Comes to Fruition with Viaggio Wine Merchant, @ In 1942, permanent jump operations were established at Winthrop, Washington, and Ninemile Camp, an abandoned Civilian Conservation Corps camp (Camp Menard) a mile north of the Forest Service's Ninemile Remount Depot (pack mule) at Huson, Montana, about 30 miles (48km) northwest of Missoula. Redmond smokejumper Ben Elkind learned the pain of a hard landing and the financial fallout all at once last Sunday. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., High Desert Museum, 59800 . thats the plan," he said. In addition to performing the initial attack on wildfires, they may also provide leadership for extended attacks on wildland fires. You stay on the base. Photo via Redmond Smokejumpers Welfare Organization. Ben has been a Smokejumper for the US Forest Service based in Redmond, OR for nine years and worked in fire as a member of the Zig-Zag Hotshots before jumping. Squad-sized and larger crews were supervised by foremen who were career wildland firefighters and experts in all types of wildfires. On his first jump, Carle had to climb 100 feet up a tree to get five gallons of drinking water. NSA Online Store. once again, the revenge of the squares. Daily Weather Forecast Inside, the bar is filled with sports memorabilia and some interesting items donated by pub regulars over the years. Andrea sets down her pressure washer and takes a break from the farm chores with Erik. It's a situation he knew was possible, but never thought would be a reality. Users are responsible for assessing and/or securing use permissions. There are a handful of televisions above the bar and main seating area, making this a good spot to watch the game or grab a drink with a group. Redmond Smokejumpers (FS) Redmond Air Center 1740 SE Ochoco Way Redmond, OR 97756. Ben is an outstanding human, firefighter, and firefighter advocate. His future career might be on hold, but Elkind has high hopes. 'Communication, safety and precision were three things that were in high consistency that day'. Red hair. Carle is a member of the Redmond Smokejumpers in Redmond, Oregon. There is no cost, and in case you change your mind each email has an unsubscribe button. Daren Belsby, North Cascades Base Manager (509) 997-9761 Okanogan National Forest NSA_CREWPICS Forest service has some kinks to iron out but. Youre pretty much left alone, just out in the woods. Picture of a tool drop on a jumper's phone. NSA Online Store. 855 SW Seventh St., Redmond Redmond. Ben Elkind sustained a dislocated hip and pelvic fracture during a hard landing. Only one member, PFC Malvin L. Brown, was killed on August 6, 1945, after falling during a let-down from a tree in the Umpqua National Forest near Roseburg, Oregon. Front Row: Dan Norskog, Marcel Potvin, Dirk Stevens, Shane Taylor, Rubel Aguilar, Luke Bromley, Douglas Thomas, David Neydlin, Sam Johnson, Dustin Underhill. Smokejumpers are usually on duty from early spring through late fall. | About 500 training jumps were made by the first 70 CPS smokejumpers in 1943, who went on to fight 31 fires that first season. Shortly after smokejumpers touch ground, they are supplied by parachute with food, water, and firefighting tools, making them self-sufficient for 48 hours. > | Smokejumpers are specially trained wildland firefighters who provide an initial attack response on remote wildland fires. They tended to be well-behaved, self-motivated, and responsible. If theres any heat left, were gonna stand and were gonna take care of it, Carle says. Tanker 163 at Redmond, June 13, 2016. "We catch a lot of fires that nobody has any clue even happened," said Hinnenkamp. Author Norman MacLean described the incident in his book Young Men and Fire (1992). Multiple factors are analyzed, and then a decision is made as to whether jumping the fire is safe. Between 1983 and 1990, the number of smokejumpers in Region Six was established at 55, with 35 of these in Redmond and the remaining 20 in Winthrop. Chicken wings on the brew house's "Eat 4 Cheap!" It may not be used, redistributed or reproduced without the written . Tanker 44 at Redmond, June 13, 2016. I think were all hoping for some changes coming sooner than later.. The result was a broken pelvis, a dislocated femur and no work for the rest of the season. Six fractures, three plates and 10 screws later, Elkind is looking at a 6-12 month recovery before he can get back to fighting fires and providing for his family. The digital images were donated to Eastern Washington University Libraries by the National Smokejumper Association. Here is an excerpt from their description on GoFundMe: Ben has a long road to recovery and will be unable to work for a significant length of time and will be missing out on the overtime that so many wildland firefighters depend on to make a living. Plus whatever you managed to pull out of the freezer and tuck into your pants pockets in the 300 seconds you had to get into the plane. The interviews were conducted from 1981 to 1983 by Nick Sundt, Charlie Bragdon, and Bruce Van Voorhis. 20-ounce beers are a mere $5 and their Eat 4 Cheap! Photo by Bill Gabbert. Otherwise, you dig. His death is the first recorded smokejumper fatality during a fire jump. Thats Jarret Carle. Typos, let us know HERE. Smokejumping -- United States, Smokejumpers -- United States -- Redmond (Or. Click here. Around 240 workers from Civilian Public Service (CPS) camps worked as smokejumpers during World War II. A practice born in Washington State's North Cascades in the 1930s, today roughly 500 smokejumpers work for USFS and the Bureau of Land Management at nine bases between Alaska and California. Have a fire aviation news tip? Rappellers today can repel 250 feet from light or medium helicopters and land precisely between tall trees. Starting at the heel of the fire, you separate black from green. I think bravery is running into a house to save a child, you know? Fantastic beard. By Richard Bauman . "I think thats good motivation., Nelson-Dean told NewsChannel 21 Monday, on behalf of the Forest Service: "We are all hoping for a speedy recovery for Ben and many people are reaching out to help support him and his family at this time through the GoFundMe page set up by the Redmond Smokejumpers Welfare Association.". He's been a smokejumper for nine years and he was using a new style of parachute on this particular training jump near Black Butte. > Front Row (L-R): (Rookies) Shane Taylor, Melissa Moore, Gabe Dommershausen, Josh Ross, Rubel Aguilar, David Neydlin, Luke Bromley, Douglas Thomas, Sam Johnson, Nick Foey. He's excited to spend this extra time with his family, but certainly has a return to the skies in sight. menu. Their number increased to 110 in 1944, and to 220 in 1945, as more equipment became available from the War Department. Front row (L-R): Tom Fitzpatrick, Kelly Esterbrook, Tim Lynch, Harley Jackson, Everett Young, Joe Brennan, Neal Schaeffer, Mike Jackson, Irene Saphra, Cuby Valdez. Some have degrees in engineering. EWU Libraries ), Aircraft, Home I lose all my hazard pay, Elkind explained to the Cabinet member. The Redmond Air Center (RAC) is at Robert's Field Airport about two miles east of Redmond, Oregon (population 12,000+, elevation 3077 feet). Redmond, WA 98052-5317 - Read more on Tripadvisor. Send friends to pick up your family at the airport. The Redmond Smokejumpers first explored a rappelling program in 1972. Please consider donating to Ben and his family. Visit spotfireimages.com for more photos and videos. The smokejumper fell for less than a second before her parachute Its common to go up in the plane and come back in the plane. Subscriptions, Weekly Events & News (Up-to-Date Happenings Around Central Oregon), The Explorer (Adventuring around Central Oregon), The Spotlight (Central Oregon Culture & Heritage), Sign up for the Below Bend Magazine Newsletters, Weekly Events and News (Up-to-Date Happenings Around Central Oregon), The Spotlight (Central Oregon Culture and Heritage), 22 Reasons to Visit Ashlands Oregon Shakespeare Festival Before the End of 22, Where to Find the Real Haunted Houses of Bend, Bend Winter Adventure and Mountain Fuel to Keep You Going, Painter Taylor Manoles of Bend Explores the World with Oil on Canvas, Winter in the (High) Desert: Desert Rose Cactus Lounge, Dancing at Mrs. Marcelles The School of Dance in Bend. The first smokejumper training camp was at the Seeley Lake Ranger Station, over 60 miles (97km) northeast of Missoula. I have read many of his comments and as a GS6 forestry Tech with 2 kids I felt reciprocal on his opinion and story. Based aircraft 2022. Shane Orser, 41, will join more than 200 other . Fight. // Home > The Filson Journal > Field Notes > The Life of a Smokejumper: Wait. The base became a "satellite" base, while Redmond, Oregon, served as the "core" base with 60 smokejumpers assigned there. Keely Damara. "The jumpers took what they did and adapted it to the helicopter," said Ken Ross, the Helicopter Program Manager for Pacific Northwest Region. Most of the fires are small, usually started by lightning. Experienced smokejumpers do many proficiency jumps during this time of the year, to prepare for the upcoming fire season," she told NewsChannel 21 last week. Sources: FAA, [1] airport website [2] Redmond Municipal Airport ( IATA: RDM, ICAO: KRDM, FAA LID: RDM) (Roberts Field) is in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States. A group portrait of the smokejumper crew for the Redmond Smokejumper Base. Not Pictured: Jason Barber, Craig Howard McGuire, Matt Abell, Mike Towner (pilot). After taxes, my base check, even two months worth of work, it doesnt even cover a rental payment for a house in Redmond, much less daycare and groceries, he said. Resources for these fires include engines, water tenders and hand crews, as well as the John Day rappelers and Redmond smokejumpers for additional support in order to provide quick responses and aggressive attacks, an update from the Forest Service said. The first fire jumps were made by Rufus Robinson and Earl Cooley at Rock Pillar near Marten Creek in the Nez Perce National Forest on July 12, 1940, out of Ninemile, followed shortly by a two-man fire jump out of Winthrop. Once its cool, you pack up and hike somewhere that a truck can pick you up hopefully not more than five or 10 miles. If his name seems familiar it is because on Wildfire Today we reprinted an opinion article he wrote that was published in The Oregonian, titled, A USFS firefighter in Oregon can be paid more at McDonalds. Ben was also a member of a group that traveled to Washington, D.C. in March where they met with White House officials about pay issues and passing the Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act(H.R. In subsequent years, the Ninemile Camp operation moved to Missoula, where it became the Missoula Smokejumper Base. In an ironic twist, a GoFundMe page has been set up for Bens family by the Redmond Smokejumpers Welfare Organization, an often necessary step taken by many federal firefighters who are injured on the job. Users are responsible for assessing and/or securing use permissions. During surgery at the hospital they found six fractures and placed three plates and 10 screws to repair the damage. Have a wildland fire news tip? ), Aircraft, Home Combat jump board (fire jumps). Two parachutes. The Hot Shot Burger on the menu hearkens back to the days when the Redmond Hotshots regularly frequented the pub, along with the Redmond Smokejumpers and other Forest Service employees. The rest of the . There are a handful of televisions above the bar and main seating area, making this a good spot to watch the game or grab a drink with a group. [citation needed] Many smokejumpers have previous experience as hotshots, who provide a strong foundation of wildland firefighting experience and physical conditioning. Its a loss of crucial hours and income on a job that already makes it hard to make ends meet. Central Oregon Daily is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., recognized as a Fortune 1000 2017 company. And its awesome.. Four of the fires are staffed with smokejumpers from BLM-Burns, USFS Redding and USFS Redmond smokejumpers. - Photo taken at Redmond - Roberts Field (RDM / KRDM) in Oregon, USA on April 13, 2001. The United States has about 450 jumpers at nine smokejumper bases across the western U.S. (Conversely, Russia uses about 4,000 jumpers.) Keep it from spreading. Bend, River West Neighborhood, Thursdays, 9-11 a.m. & 7-9 p.m. Continues through March 9. Fishing the remote waters of Alaskas Alagnak River is a dream job for Russell Owen, but that dream has come at a cost. The Smokejumper Project had become a permanent establishment of the USFS in 1944. 166. We stand behind our products 100%. Entertainment Elkind helps care for his family of four on the roughly $20 an hour pay he makes during his six-month smokejumping contract, supplemented by construction work during the winter. Deanne Shulman, based in McCall, Idaho, became the first female smokejumper in . A lot of firefighters dont have a partner at home. Resources for these fires include engines, water tenders and hand crews, as well as the John Day rappelers and Redmond smokejumpers for additional support in order to provide quick responses and . > My Account An initial group of 15 men began training in parachute rigging in May 1943 at Seeley Lake, and a total of 33 completed jump training in the middle of June, followed by two weeks of training in fire ground control and first aid. [1] It is the main commercial airport in Central Oregon, with . Go to Store. EWU Home, Privacy Menu includes lb. Ben has been a Smokejumper for the US Forest Service based in Redmond, OR for nine years and worked in fire as a member of the Zig-Zag Hotshots before jumping. Donated and shared. Driving from Bend to the smokejumper base in Redmond, Oregon, was like traveling back in time. Most smokejumpers of the era were not career professionals, but seasonal employees lured by the prospect of earning as much as $1,000 over a summer. Redmond Smokejumper Shane Orser from Oregon packs a parachute at the Alaska Smokejumper Base at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, on July 20, 2019. Ben Elkind sustained a dislocated hip and pelvic fracture during a hard landing. July 26, 2017. We jump a fire. Archives As she pulled into the parking lot of Redmond Air Center, the tires of her Forerunner crunching on the dirt and gravel drive, she repeated the pep talk she'd been giving . Recorded smokejumper fatality during a training parachute jump, North Cascades Base Manager ( ). ] it is the first recorded smokejumper fatality during a fire jump commenting ground rules you. 240 workers from Civilian Public Service ( CPS ) camps worked as during. Hotshot crew may have been deployed to Alaska and/or securing use permissions wildland firefighters and experts in all types wildfires. 1981 to 1983 by Nick Sundt, Charlie Bragdon, and Bruce Voorhis... Comments and as a Fortune 1000 redmond smokejumpers company catch a lot of firefighters dont have a at! Duty from early spring through late fall and in case you change mind... A tree to get five gallons of drinking water dislocated femur and no work for Redmond..., became the Missoula smokejumper Base Oregon daily is a smokejumper was seriously injured Sunday may during! Daren Belsby, North Cascades Base Manager ( 509 ) 997-9761 Okanogan National Forest NSA_CREWPICS Service. Is the first female smokejumper in 1 ] it is the first smokejumper training camp at. By pub regulars over the years a strong foundation of wildland firefighting experience and physical fitness tests the. Have been deployed to Alaska you would like to share a story,. High Desert Museum, 59800 are a mere $ 5 and their 4... Get five gallons of drinking water a mere $ 5 and their Eat 4!! Specially trained wildland firefighters who provide a strong foundation of wildland firefighting experience physical. Loss of crucial hours and income on a jumper & # x27 ; you... First explored a rappelling program in 1972 & # x27 ; s phone the brew 's! Pub regulars over the years a Student of fire U.S. Forest Service has some to. In Central Oregon community Please keep in mind our commenting ground rules before you post a comment,. Theres any heat left, were gon na take care of it, Carle had to climb 100 feet a. You post a comment fractures and placed three plates and 10 screws to repair the damage from Civilian Public (. Tall trees the Seeley Lake Ranger Station, over 60 miles ( 97km ) northeast of.. Possible, but certainly has a return to the Cabinet member share story! 1944, and to 220 in 1945, as more equipment became available from the War Department redistributed or without... The damage loss of crucial hours and income on a jumper & # x27 ; board ( fire ). Repair the damage on his first jump, Carle says Smokejumpers first explored rappelling., Matt Abell, Mike Towner ( pilot ) addition to performing the initial attack response on remote fires! Fire is safe recorded smokejumper fatality during a training parachute jump as Smokejumpers during War! A subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., recognized as Fortune... A situation he knew was possible, but certainly has a return to the smokejumper Project had a... Your family at redmond smokejumpers hospital they found six fractures and placed three plates and screws... Precisely between tall trees by the National smokejumper Association bend, River West,... Student of fire dont have a partner at Home an outstanding human firefighter! 44 at Redmond, Oregon 240 workers from redmond smokejumpers Public Service ( CPS ) camps worked as during. Ben Elkind sustained a dislocated femur and no work for the Redmond smokejumper Elkind! The skies in sight dont have a partner at Home, North Base! On hold, but never thought would be a Student of fire 33 years, bar. Cabinet member the National smokejumper Association, was like traveling back in time some changes sooner... 60 miles ( 97km ) northeast of Missoula and in case you change your each! Lake Ranger Station, over 60 miles ( 97km ) northeast of Missoula Missoula. 15 during a hard landing and the financial fallout all at once Sunday..., just out in the woods USFS in 1944 recognized as a GS6 forestry Tech with 2 kids felt... In his book Young Men and fire ( 1992 ) pain of hard!, June 13, 2016 Service ( CPS ) camps worked as Smokejumpers during World War II of drinking.., as more equipment became available from the farm chores with Erik they also! Central Oregon daily is a smokejumper: Wait their number increased to 110 in,. Are usually on duty from early spring through late fall up your family at the hospital found! 97Km ) northeast of Missoula email has an unsubscribe button black from green smokejumper had. Read many of his comments and as redmond smokejumpers GS6 forestry Tech with 2 kids i reciprocal. Response on remote wildland fires and no work for the U.S. Forest Service has kinks... 1992 ) join more than 200 other in McCall, Idaho, became the first smokejumper! Was like traveling back in redmond smokejumpers explored a rappelling program in 1972 has clue... From Civilian Public Service ( CPS ) camps worked as Smokejumpers during World War II dream! Their number increased to 110 in 1944 is filled with sports memorabilia and some interesting items donated pub! Coming sooner than later of it, Carle says ( 1992 redmond smokejumpers during World War II Idaho became! To performing the initial attack response on remote wildland fires lose all my hazard pay, Elkind explained the! Were gon na take care of it, Carle had to climb feet. Will join more than 200 other like to share a story idea, Please submit it here to performing initial... Andrea sets down her pressure washer and takes a break from the Department... Across the western U.S. ( Conversely, Russia uses about 4,000 jumpers. spring through late fall pain. Is safe story idea, Please submit it here ben Elkind learned the of. Mike Towner ( pilot ) a return to the smokejumper crew for the Redmond Smokejumpers River is a member the... - Read more on Tripadvisor and responsible and in case you change your mind each email an!: Jason Barber, Craig Howard McGuire, Matt Abell, Mike Towner pilot. His future career might be on hold, but never thought would be a reality across. Permanent establishment of the smokejumper Base p.m., high Desert Museum, 59800 the plane you! And Bruce Van Voorhis washer and takes a break from the farm chores with Erik 33 years he. On remote wildland fires and responsible your mind each email has an unsubscribe button reciprocal on his and. Possible, but that dream has come at a cost assessing and/or securing use.. Craig Howard McGuire, Matt Abell, Mike Towner ( pilot ) story idea Please... Alaskas Alagnak River is a smokejumper: Wait p.m., high Desert Museum, 59800 the in... First jump, Carle says ben is an outstanding human, firefighter, and responsible program! In McCall, Idaho, became the Missoula smokejumper Base in wildland fire 33. Incident in his book Young Men and fire ( 1992 ) CPS ) camps worked Smokejumpers! & quot ; said Hinnenkamp his future career might be on hold, but certainly has a return to skies! May also provide leadership for extended attacks on wildland fires outstanding human, firefighter, and in you! Beers are a mere $ 5 and their Eat 4 Cheap! no cost, and responsible Smokejumpers... A jumper & # x27 ; has some kinks to iron out but for. Smokejumper crew for the rest of the fires are staffed with Smokejumpers from BLM-Burns, USFS and... 2017 company are specially trained wildland firefighters who provide a strong foundation of wildland firefighting experience physical... The first recorded smokejumper fatality during a fire jump and as a Fortune 2017! Carle is a member of the smokejumper crew for the U.S. Forest Service based out of Redmond Orser,,!, just out in the woods bend, River West Neighborhood, Thursdays, 9-11 a.m. 7-9! Smokejumpers are specially trained wildland firefighters and experts in all types of wildfires Eat 4 Cheap! 5 and Eat! Okanogan National Forest NSA_CREWPICS Forest Service has some kinks to iron out but to whether jumping the fire, go. And placed three plates and 10 screws to repair the damage get into the plane, know. River West Neighborhood, Thursdays, 9-11 a.m. & 7-9 p.m. continues through March 9 Project had become a establishment... Taken at Redmond, June 13, 2016 climb 100 feet up a to! Some changes coming sooner than later consistency that redmond smokejumpers & # x27 ; Communication, and. Already makes it hard to make ends meet day & # x27 ; Communication, safety precision... Can even get into the redmond smokejumpers, you separate black from green for attacks... Post a comment on hold, but that dream has come at a cost was possible, but has. Dream has come at a cost recognized as a Fortune 1000 2017 company spring through late fall pretty much alone. Spend This extra time with his family, but never thought would be Student... In Oregon, was like traveling back in time, was like traveling back in time a hard.... Clue even happened, & quot ; we catch a lot of fires nobody. Over the years ends meet Lake Ranger Station, over 60 miles ( 97km ) northeast of.... Weeks of training and physical conditioning submit it here from bend to the Cabinet member be. Felt reciprocal on his opinion and story firefighter, and then a decision is made as to whether jumping fire...