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Forest Grove firefighters respond to an ATV accident

Forest Grove and area residents in good hands with volunteer fire department
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First responders Wendy Clarke and Matt Wiesendahl tend to 'accident victim' Margie Olson during practice session at a mock accident scene.

In the dark at the side of the road, an ATV hung over the edge of the ditch.

Off to the side, a man lays in the damp grass, moaning in agony, calling out to his daughter who was huddled on her side nearby, ominously silent.

Suddenly, a siren split the air. A passing motorist had called 9-1-1. The Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department was on the move.

First responders hurried to the victims. The anxious father was struggling to get up. His injuries were assessed as broken bones. He was reassured that his daughter was being tended to and an ambulance was on the way.

At the same time, another team of first responders immobilized the girl and moved her onto a spine board.

Meanwhile, firefighters had set up powerful lights. Cones were set on the road and firefighters in their reflective gear were in place to direct traffic.

Although this was a mock accident scene, it was disturbingly realistic. It was reassuring to watch the firefighters and their instructors at work managing the victims and the scene with skill.

Many of our firefighters are also first responders. If the need should arise, we will be well taken care of.

FGVFD members

The following is a list of Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department members: fire chief Bob Felker; deputy chiefs Robin Clarke and Ron Lister; lieutenants Matt Wiesendahl and Don Hewitt; captains Ken Kerr and Roger Beveridge; safety officer Margo Wagner; secretary Sheri McLean; dispatchers Richard Bergen, Wendy Clarke and Jules Jewra; firefighters Cobina Baillie, Marvin Beyer, Hadley Bigham, Darin Black, Ian Bowden, Ronald Bratberg, Brent Burch, Adam Cummings, Josh Derouin, Twan DeKok, Colleen Felker, Brad Forster, Michael Gent, Dave Gisby, Sheila Hart, Neil Hodge, Ed Kelsey, Louise Kerr, Eric Klassen, Damian Lindberg, Hud Lindberg, Howard McMillian, Chris Parlee, Dan Pesonen, Douglas Pendergast, Levi Pincott, Cliff Robertson, Shannon Wagner, Terry Wagner, Sheri-Lyn Wilson and Aron Zablotny; and auxiliary members Keri Bratberg, Margaret Olson, Gerry Parent and Jean Robertson.

Halloween happenings

• The fire department will be lighting up the skies on Halloween night. Show time is 7-7:30. Park at the community hall and school and watch the biggest small-town fireworks display in the Cariboo.

Hotdogs, coffee and hot chocolate will be available. If you can, please bring a non-perishable item for Loaves & Fishes Outreach Society.

Thanks are extended to John and Heather Shin at the Forest Grove Store, Ken and Barb Clark and Dick Larsen for generous donations to the fireworks fund.

• Guys and ghouls are invited to the Halloween Dance at Forest Grove Legion, Oct. 27, from 8 p.m. to midnight. Spooktacular dance music by local band Missing Links. There will be prizes, snacks and designated drivers. Members pay $10 and non-members $15.

Grove notes

• Cemetery Cleanup Day, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. weather permitting. Please help prepare our historic cemetery for winter. Bring your own garden tools. This is an opportunity to spend time with other Grovers, while helping with an important project. Check out the unique headstones of early pioneers. The cemetery is at the top of the hill, Shaw Drive, across from the school.

• Hootenanny Cafes have been discontinued. Steve Roy cites the lack of volunteers to help with the events as the main reason.

• An apology to Peggy Reed. Peggy is the new teacher at Forest Grove Elementary School. In the photo Sept. 19, she is in the centre in the back row. The lady in front is Sheila Nelson.

• Bake Sale. Oct. 30, 10 a.m., Elders Building, Canim Lake Reserve. Everyone is advised to be on time, as the baked goods disappear quickly.