Weeks 2 and 3 in Crown King, AZ

                Out here in the western ghost town of Crown King, our team has begun to settle down and become comfortable with our new home.  Getting to know the locals and becoming accustomed to our duties at the Fire Station have become routine.  During week two, out team was split into four different squads.  These squads work together week in and week out with fuels reduction, work around the station, and going out on calls.  The first training our squads received was basic fuels reduction.  The Crown King Fire Department receives grants to reduce wildfire fuels on private properties.  Reducing of fuels includes cutting down brush, dead trees, and trees that have been taken over by invasive species that would fuel a wildfire.  Once these are all cut, they are eliminated by small burn piles that are set up while working in the forest.  Now see Crown King is very hilly, so most of these burn piles are built on slanted terrain.  It’s pretty dang cool cutting down trees and working hard with a fire burning behind your back. 

 

Beyond working in the field, Sun 3 became certified by the American Red Cross for First Responder.  The class was provided by the CKFD and lasted 60 hours over 6 days.  Since our team all passed the class and received the certification, we will be able to go on medical calls for the fire department and be able to assist in providing care to people in need.  It’s pretty cool and defiintly a lot of responsibility and high pressure, but our team can handle it.  The curriculum included how to take a person’s vital signs, how to correctly bandage a patient, apply a splint, perform CPR and use an AED, etc. 

Week four is currently in session and acreage is beginning to rack up with fuels reduction.  Sun 3 is making a strong and powerful impact on this more than deserving town of Crown King.

Nick-