Dear Canimites,
Here’s an image that captures the present Canim summer: It’s the early morning, the air still and cool and sweet.
The mirrored lake reflects mountains and blue, while black Angus cows at the Canim Lake Ranch rest in an impossibly green field. The only sounds are bird calls and the hum of Lorne Dumaresq’s bike tires as he clocks another 15 km.
“Some people don’t know how really beautiful this place is,” he says.
Saving lives
People think firefighters’ main preoccupation is with hoses and water, but the reality is different.
Our fire department is first at the scene for vehicle wrecks, medical emergencies and fires. Last week, 24 Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department (FGVFD) personnel from both halls simulated an ATV versus auto wreck.
The ATV rider lies unconscious in the bushes. The driver of the car hung upside down, is unconscious, with his legs tangled through the steering wheel, while his dazed passenger was heaped in the back seat.
The stage was set in the field behind Hall #1. Four units responded to the simulated emergency page-out.
Some firefighters ran out hose lines in case of fire, while others scrambled to secure the upset car with props and straps, making it safe for medical personnel to work. Others set up lighting or took control of traffic, directing it by the crash scene.
Once the wreck was safe, Louise Kerr, lead medical responder, climbed through the rear window checking the condition of the two occupants. The badly injured driver was given oxygen, his vital signs taken and his head stabilized to prevent further neck injury. The back seat occupant was checked for injury and then assisted out of the ruined car by other personnel. The extraction of the driver was difficult.
Louise covered herself and the trapped driver in a protective blanket while firefighters sawed the roof away, then cut a portion of the steering wheel clear of the driver’s legs. Still unconscious, he was carefully slid out of the car on a spine board, his neck protected, receiving oxygen, and with his vital signs constantly monitored.
“There’s only so much you can teach in the classroom,” says safety officer Margo Wagner, “you really have to get out and actually do it.”
Chief Bob Felker says he is very pleased with the commitment and enthusiasm of the members of the FGVFD.
Thanks go to Ray Felker who donated the car for the practice.
Hail from hell
An intense hailstorm cut a swath through Hawkins Lake on June 21.
Helen Kellington describes the wind and lightning as “unbelievable and frightening.” Her home was hit by two trees, but not badly damaged.
A cabin across the road was knocked off its foundation by falling timber, and other properties suffered roof damage. Power was out for 19 hours.
On the other side of the lake, Wayne Traill says the hail was up to one inch in diameter, dimpling the hood and roof of his pickup, and tearing holes in the tonneau cover. He says it was coming in horizontally, hitting the windows with a terrifying force and blasting the side of the house with shredded vegetation.
Twenty large aspens came down and Louise’s garden was “devastated.” It is the worst the couple has seen in their 21 years there.
Bits and bites
The aroma of fresh baking has been filling the Canim Lake Store as Granny Grace Buse cranks out delicious pies – apple, blueberry, cherry and strawberry-rhubarb.
Before I could finish salivating, a tourist bought two, jumped in his truck and headed south.
That’s all for now. Until next time here’s wishing you many blessings.