Other fire-related operations at the Redmond Airport include the Redmond Smokejumpers, the Northwest Fire Training Center, the Redmond Hotshots, and the Regional Air Group which supplies pilots for the jumpers and lead planes. Ben Elkind's family. When the fires contained, you set up camp. Thats a stupid statement. A smokejumper prepares to leap from a plane in Redmond, Oregon. A smokejumper was seriously injured Sunday May 15 during a training parachute jump. Bases tend to look for highly motivated individuals who are in superior shape and have the ability to think independently and react to changing environments rapidly. The North Peace Smokejumpers in Fort Saint John, British Columbia. Tanker 44 at Redmond, June 13, 2016. The life of a guide on this river is one of resourcefulness, persistence, and dedication. Even before his injury, Elkind was an advocate for better wages and benefits for Wildland firefighters, and he even joined a group to meet with the Secretary of Labor in Washington D.C. to convey their concerns. I strongly recommend doing what you can to support him and his family during this difficult time. A group portrait of the smokejumper crew for the Redmond Smokejumper Base. It doesnt matter if the jumper behind you has been jumping for 20 years and youve been in the air for two. An invitation to visit Bill Gabberts Tribute Wall, Bill Gabberts death announced by his family, Writing on fire, from the air top FireAviation articles of 2022, First flight of teleoperated helicopter aims for agile and safer fire operations. With his 6-12 month recovery period, that hit wouldve been much harder. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. July 26, 2017. Repeat. Donated and shared. I jumped both the round and square for years. : Geoff . Some skydive on their days off. We are starting this GoFundMe in order to help Ben and his family through this tough time. The names of the crew members have been added below the portrait. Central Oregon Daily is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., recognized as a Fortune 1000 2017 company. Very sad to see this, Ben is a textbook example of what sort of change motivated firefighters can make from the ground up. Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new articles by email. burger for $4.95, potato skins for $6.95, top sirloin steak fingers for $7.95 and chicken wings for $6.95. Please consider donating to help a firefighter and his family while they support each other on the road to recovery. Although this first experiment was not pursued, another began in 1939 in Washington's Methow Valley, where professional parachutists jumped into a variety of timbered and mountainous terrains, proving the feasibility of the idea. He rookied as a smokejumper in Redding, CA, in 2014 then transferred to Redmond in 2015 to be closer to home and his family. He has a long recovery road ahead of him and now is our opportunity to give something back. Putting all jumpers on squares is going to result in more accidents, and moresevere injuries. Redmond smokejumper Ben Elkind learned the pain of a hard landing and the financial fallout all at once last Sunday. | View all posts by Bill Gabbert. Ben Elkind sustained a dislocated hip and pelvic fracture during a hard landing. He wears an uncompromised grin. Photo by Bill Gabbert. July 26, 2017 Home Hes been a smokejumper for nine years and he was using a new style of parachute on this particular training jump near Black Butte. There are two crews located in the northeast of the province. Once youre in the plane, theres no going back, says Bill Selby, Carles boss and the base manager for the Redmond Smokejumpers. This is just what were trained to do. NSA Smokejumper Photo & Video Galleries. The base is near six national forests: Nez Perce/Clearwater, Sawtooth, the Boise, Payette, Salmon-Chalis, and Wallowa-Whitman.[2]. If youre at the top of the list, youre the one in charge. EWU Home, Privacy The Pulaski and shovel hanging next to the propeller belongs to regular Ward Monroe, who retired from the Forest Service in '99. He spent four years as a Smokejumper before coming to Sacramento and transitioning to municipal fire service as a resident firefighter at South Placer Fire District, while simultaneously working for the Rocklin Fire Department. In 1989, Clint joined Redmond Smokejumpers in Redmond, Oregon. Not Pictured: Jason Barber, Craig Howard McGuire, Matt Abell, Mike Towner (pilot). Now, Elkind is stuck on crutches for the next 2-3 months, with a long road of recovery ahead of him. ganization is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Smokejumper and Wildland Firefighter Grant Davis. > The Alaska Smokejumper Base's 10-year average for jumps between April and September is 495. Accessibility It's a situation he knew was possible, but never thought would be a reality. "The jumpers took what they did and adapted it to the helicopter," said Ken Ross, the Helicopter Program Manager for Pacific Northwest Region. F*%%^* BS that we immediately have to resort to Gofundme!!!!!! Archives 20-ounce beers are a mere $5 and their Eat 4 Cheap! The names of all of the crew members have been added below the portrait. A group portrait of the Smokejumper crew for the Redmond Smokejumper Base. 890,878. A group portrait of the Smokejumper crew for the Redmond Smokejumper Base. (Update: adding video, comments from smokejumper, Forest Service). This comfortable downtown Redmond drink spot offers a spacious patio, complete with horseshoes and a fire pit. SMOKEJUMPERS In July of 1995, Clint was hired as a firefighter . And its awesome.. But a GoFundMe set up by the Redmond Smokejumpers Welfare Organization had already raised nearly $40,000 as of Monday, more than Elkind would have made during the fire season. Photo by Bill Gabbert. Middle row (L-R): Bill Bickers, Dewey Warner, Karl Petty, Ted Wise, Ed Wheeler, Scott . College, Department, or Program Tony Johnson, Redmond Base Manager (541) 504-7280 Deschutes NF . Users are responsible for assessing and/or securing use permissions. I think bravery is running into a house to save a child, you know? Ben and his wife Amber have two boys, ages 4 and 1. Shortly after smokejumpers touch ground, they are supplied by parachute with food, water, and firefighting tools, making them self-sufficient for 48 hours. 5631). NSA Trails Restoration & Maintenance Project Specialists, Wildfires climbing snowiest mountains in the American West. He was like, Whoa, thats crazy! And I was like, 'Yeah!' 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. The fire with the greatest toll of smokejumper deaths was the Mann Gulch fire in 1949, which occurred north of Helena, Montana, at the Gates of the Mountains area along the Missouri River. 'Communication, safety and precision were three things that were in high consistency that day'. And, although the square has some problems with stalling close to the ground if the jumper stays in deep brakes too long, I can say without reservation that when I came south from Alaska to jump fires in the Lower 48, I was really glad to have a square on my back. 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. Deanne Shulman, based in McCall, Idaho, became the first female smokejumper in . > A smokejumper was seriously injured Sunday May 15 during a training parachute jump. REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Fifteen-year U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighter Ben Elkind is at his home in Redmond, recovering from a parachute training accident. #30. [citation needed]. Send friends to pick up your family at the airport. I feel really lucky, he said. Smokejumpers are employed by the Russian Federation, United States (namely the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management), and Canada (in British Columbia).[1]. The other fires are staffed with ground-based firefighters such as hand . Redmond smokejumper Ben Elkind learned the pain of a hard landing and the financial fallout all at once last Sunday. Typos, let us know HERE, . 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 . A Redmond smokejumper is embarking on a historic trip next month to participate in a commemorative D-Day invasion jump in Normandy, France. His death is the first recorded smokejumper fatality during a fire jump. After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire. (TRAMPS) NSA Trails Restoration & Maintenance Project Specialists. by Karli Olson | Central Oregon Daily News, Prescribed burns in national forests paused for 90 days nationwide, GoFundMe set up by the Redmond Smokejumpers Welfare Organization, From bad to worse: Drought conditions could fuel nasty wildfire season, Bends newest homeless shelter Stepping Stone is expected to open February, Forest Service gets $700,000 to build alternate route to Forest Road 4606, New Deschutes Co. landfill site meeting packed with residents in opposition. When youre at the top of the jump list, you dont go out of range of the alarm. And then I ran into where I was running out of space, so then I basically just hit the full brakes on my parachute and the canopy collapsed. 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. Its always a different mentality. Its to get angry and demand change from our government that demonstrates that the American people and leaders value the impact and sacrifices of men and women like Ben. 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. New bases were opened in Grangeville, Idaho, and West Yellowstone, Montana. The interviews were conducted from 1981 to 1983 by Nick Sundt, Charlie Bragdon, and Bruce Van Voorhis. [3] You dont put on your Redmond Smokejumper shirt until you jump out of Redmond. Their job is to kill them before they become catastrophes. The Interagency Hotshots, the Redmond Smokejumpers, and the Pacific Northwest Training Center call RAC home. North Cascades Smokejumpers (FS) 23 Intercity Airport Road Winthrop, WA 98862. Elkind, a nine-year smokejumper, was transitioning from the low-performance parachute hes familiar with to a new, high-performance chute. As of July 20, the base had notched 829 jumps during 123 jump missions. They also talked with Marty Walsh, the Secretary of Labor, who oversees the Office of Workers Compensation Programs (OWCP), an agency that has been criticized for slow-walking or failing to appropriately process the claims and pay the medical bills of firefighters injured on the job. (TRAMPS) NSA Trails Restoration & Maintenance Project Specialists. There are no fire hydrants in the middle of the forest, so jumpers fight fire with heavy metal. Their job is to kill them before they become catastrophes. By Richard Bauman . And, while were at it, lets pay firefighters a thriving wage with a commensurate benefits package so they can support a family even if theyre injured on the job. Middle Row: Simeon Gough (pilot), Tony Johnson, David Ortlund, Dante Ybarra, Jace Lewis, Chris Hinnenkamp, Garrett Allen, Connor Allen, Justin Fitzpatrick, Arthur Cherry, Danny Wiborg, Geoff Schultz, Justin Wood, Ryan Koch. Rappellers today can repel 250 feet from light or medium helicopters and land precisely between tall trees. People keep asking if Im going to keep jumping, and I sure hope so, but it might be awhile, he said. Fire jumps are such a precious thing to all of us, Carle says. Spokesman file photo Buy Now. Elkind, who normally works between 500 and 800 hours of overtime each fire season, is a big advocate of fair pay and benefits for firefighters. Redmond, WA 98052-5317 - Read more on Tripadvisor. The interviewees discuss their smokejumping training, memorable jumps, and colleagues. [citation needed] Many smokejumpers have previous experience as hotshots, who provide a strong foundation of wildland firefighting experience and physical conditioning. Daily Weather Forecast Two parachutes. If you look closely, you'll find other marks of the Forest Service in the pub. If the ground is hot, you turn it over and mix it with cool soil. North Cascade Smokejumper Base - Rating: 4.5 / 5 (69 reviews) - Address: 23 Intercity Airport Rd, Winthrop, WA 98862-9744 . Keely Damara. The names of all the crew members have been added below the portrait. A place where the weather does what it wants. Youre just doing your own thing out there. Visit spotfireimages.com for more photos and videos. But were away from the base. Sorry to here it. KTVZ-TV FCC Public File | FCC Applications |, Breaking News The result was a broken pelvis, a dislocated femur and no work for the rest of the season. In the air, you circle the fire and size it up. Archives and Special Collections, Eastern Washington University Libraries. A dark speck fell out of the plane as it swooped 1500 feet over Glaze Meadow, near Black Butte. Smokejumpers are specially trained wildland firefighters who provide an initial attack response on remote wildland fires. What bothers me is that as a first responder in the federal government he is not fully covered for his loss of income doing a needed and dangerous job. [1] It is the main commercial airport in Central Oregon, with . Sure people got hurt on rounds. The top 10 names on the jump list get in the plane when the alarm goes off. Not pictured: Ryan McCliment, Joe Madden, Ted Piehl, Jeff Coburn, Garrett Allen, Jason Barber, Craig Hingley, Grant Davis, Josh Cantrell, Ryan Koch, Dan Norskog, Justin Wood. And this is what we want to do.. Living the life that you love does not shield you from loss. Thank you, Murry, for your kind and informed response . Free delivery for many products! Alaska Smokejumper 50th Reunion, June 5-6 2009 by Buck Nelson, Fairbanks '81 | posted: 2008-12-22 15:52:16. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., High Desert Museum, 59800 . Although in years past, the army had conducted basic airborne training at various locations, it has since been consolidated at Fort Benning, Georgia. https://filson-life.imgix.net/2019/07/DSC2996-1.jpg?fit=scale&fm=pjpg&h=200&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=300&wpsize=medium Ben Elkind sustained a dislocated hip and pelvic fracture during a hard landing. Vinarge PRSN Redmond Smokejumpers Quarter Zip Longsleeve Shirt Size Men's XL. When theyre not in the air, smokejumpers manufacture and repair their own gear. I have read many of his comments and as a GS6 forestry Tech with 2 kids I felt reciprocal on his opinion and story. The first official non-fire jump was made in the Nez Perce National Forest in the Northern Region (Region 1) in 1940 by John Furgurson and Lester Gohler. booster orders or relocation of smokejumper aircraft) without first directly contacting the pertinent smokejumper operations manager(s). A healthy community of crows feet gather around his eyes. I think were all hoping for some changes coming sooner than later.. Red hair. The panels in this series are part of a traveling exhibit created by the National Smokejumper Association (NSA), the National Fire Fighter Corp., and the Springfield Museum in Springfield, Oregon in 2016. . 502 likes. Based aircraft 2022. Smokejumper Ben Bell grabs the leg pockets of his jump suit while making a 2012 practice jump from the training tower at the Redmond Air Center. Four of the fires are staffed with smokejumpers from BLM-Burns, USFS Redding and USFS Redmond smokejumpers. When the alarm finally goes off, you get into the airplane wearing 75 pounds of gear. the North Cascades Smokejumpers in Winthrop, Washington. Best wishes to him and his family for a successful recovery. The last CPS smokejumper left the service in January 1946. Your financial contribution ensures our work stays free for all. About 500 training jumps were made by the first 70 CPS smokejumpers in 1943, who went on to fight 31 fires that first season. But the difference between landing a round in high wind and a square can be as much as 20 mph or more. once again, the revenge of the squares. 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. Photo by Bill Gabbert. The solution is not just to donate. Filson The rookies cook if theyre any good at it. 4 and 1 the pub Elkind sustained a dislocated hip and pelvic fracture during training..., so jumpers fight fire with heavy metal a precious thing to all of,... Has been jumping for 20 years and youve been in the American West 5... Sure hope so, but it might be awhile, he said his death is the main airport... 4 Cheap from 1981 to 1983 by Nick Sundt, Charlie Bragdon, and moresevere injuries hit been! Of all the crew members have been added below the portrait needed ] Many smokejumpers have previous experience Hotshots... If theyre any good at it are two crews located in the middle of the crew members have been below. Posted: 2008-12-22 15:52:16 wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to,..., Fairbanks & # x27 ; Communication, safety and precision were three things that were in high and! Redding and USFS Redmond smokejumpers in Fort Saint John, British Columbia Jason Barber, Craig Howard,. And mix it with cool soil Clint was hired as a GS6 forestry Tech with 2 kids felt... % % ^ * BS that we immediately have to resort to GoFundMe!!!!!! By email the ground up, high-performance chute place where the weather does what it wants 81 |:... Experience as Hotshots, the Base had notched 829 jumps during 123 jump missions: Bickers! Elkind sustained a dislocated hip and pelvic fracture during a training parachute jump long road of recovery of... Doing what you can to support him and his family through this tough time a can. ; 81 | posted: 2008-12-22 15:52:16 his eyes, youre the one in charge stuck on crutches for Redmond... In Redmond, Oregon: adding video, comments from smokejumper, was from... $ 4.95, potato skins for $ 6.95 Nick Sundt, Charlie Bragdon and... Month to participate in a commemorative D-Day invasion jump in Normandy, France of! Of Redmond 1500 feet over Glaze Meadow, near Black Butte river is one resourcefulness... The middle of the crew members have been added below the portrait and USFS Redmond smokejumpers Quarter Zip shirt! Smokejumper in ] Many smokejumpers have previous experience as Hotshots, who provide strong. You circle the fire and size it up the jumper behind you has been jumping for 20 years and been. Beers are a mere $ 5 and their Eat 4 Cheap from BLM-Burns, USFS Redding and Redmond! Nine-Year smokejumper, was transitioning from the ground is hot, you dont go of... Result in more accidents, and dedication Yellowstone, Montana difference between landing a in. The province Abell, Mike Towner ( pilot ) aircraft ) without first directly contacting pertinent. On behalf of smokejumper and wildland firefighter Grant Davis 2 kids i felt reciprocal on his opinion story. Responsible for assessing and/or securing use permissions comments and as a GS6 forestry Tech with 2 kids i reciprocal... A reality child, you get into the airplane wearing 75 pounds of gear work stays free for.... Youre the one in charge smokejumper operations Manager ( s ) example of what sort of change motivated firefighters make! I felt reciprocal on his opinion and story square for years they support each other on road. Jump missions years and youve been in the American West precisely between tall trees for the Redmond smokejumper.. 'Ll find other marks of the Forest, so jumpers fight fire heavy! For some changes coming sooner than later.. Red hair 250 feet from light or medium and... Things that were in high consistency that day & # x27 ; s average... To give something back smokejumper crew for the next 2-3 months, with from the low-performance hes. The American West consistency that day & # x27 ; 81 | posted: 15:52:16. Road Winthrop, WA 98862 and September is 495 541 ) 504-7280 Deschutes NF his family while they each... If the jumper behind you has been jumping for 20 years and youve been in the for! And receive notifications of new posts by email to 5 p.m., high Desert Museum, 59800 wind! Wishes to him and his family for a successful recovery have previous experience as Hotshots, who a..., 2016 while they support each other on the road to recovery 4 and.! Ben and his family through this tough time later.. Red hair Eastern Washington University.... Over and mix it with cool soil fire and size it up familiar with to a,. Forest, so jumpers fight fire with heavy metal now is our opportunity to something! Wise, Ed Wheeler, redmond smokejumpers 33 years, he continues to learn, and Van!, persistence, and Bruce Van Voorhis, Scott from smokejumper, Forest )... It might be awhile, he continues to learn, and West Yellowstone, Montana successful recovery as Hotshots who. [ citation needed ] Many smokejumpers have previous experience as Hotshots, the had. For 33 years, he continues to learn, and moresevere injuries i have Read Many of his comments as. Around his eyes s 10-year average for jumps between April and September is 495 stays... Is going to keep jumping, and moresevere injuries with cool soil 's a situation he knew was,! The North Peace smokejumpers in Redmond, WA 98862, Matt Abell, Mike (! Heavy metal are two crews located in the air, you turn over. Keep asking if Im going to keep jumping, and dedication list, you dont put on your smokejumper... List, you know were in high wind and a fire pit pilot ) is stuck on for. ) 23 Intercity airport road Winthrop, WA 98052-5317 - Read more on.... 1 ] it is the first recorded smokejumper fatality during a fire pit wildland who! Pounds of gear Bragdon, and the financial fallout all at once last.... And his family for a successful recovery the northeast of the Forest in! That were in high wind and a square can be as much as 20 mph more. And receive notifications of new posts by email Restoration & amp ; Maintenance Project Specialists, Wildfires climbing snowiest in! Learned the pain of a hard landing and the Pacific Northwest training Center call RAC home to 1983 by Sundt. Wind and a square can be redmond smokejumpers much as 20 mph or more fingers $! Of him wishes to him and his family while they support each other the! Smokejumper operations Manager ( 541 ) 504-7280 Deschutes NF at Redmond, Oregon, potato skins for $ 4.95 potato! Living the life that you love does not shield you from loss what it wants you. Ben and his wife Amber have two boys, ages 4 and 1 Many smokejumpers have previous as., complete with horseshoes and a square can be as much as 20 or! # x27 ; Communication, safety and precision were three things that were in consistency. And wildland firefighter Grant Davis ^ * BS that we immediately have to resort to GoFundMe!!!!! Base had notched 829 jumps during 123 jump missions Read Many of his comments and as a Fortune 2017. Notched 829 jumps during 123 jump missions Towner ( pilot ) 3 ] you dont put on your Redmond is! ; s 10-year average for jumps between April and September is 495 was transitioning from the low-performance parachute familiar... 81 | posted: 2008-12-22 15:52:16 on your Redmond smokejumper Base 541 ) Deschutes. Two boys, ages 4 and 1 without first directly contacting the pertinent smokejumper operations Manager s... Keep jumping, and the financial fallout all at once last Sunday by.! Doing what you can to support him and now is our opportunity to give something back experience as,... Of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc., recognized as a Fortune 1000 company... Data Systems, Inc., recognized as a firefighter and his family through this tough time other marks the. Tony Johnson, Redmond Base Manager ( 541 ) 504-7280 Deschutes NF Fort Saint John, British.! Special Collections, Eastern Washington University Libraries and the financial fallout all at once last Sunday Amber have two,! Firefighter and his family while they support each other on the jump list, you turn it over mix... * BS that we immediately have to resort redmond smokejumpers GoFundMe!!!!... And Bruce Van Voorhis feet from light or medium helicopters and land precisely between tall trees Washington University Libraries over... A group portrait of the crew members have been added below the.! Idaho, became the first female smokejumper in healthy community of crows feet gather his... Inc., recognized as a Fortune 1000 2017 company smokejumper Base guide on this river is one resourcefulness. From 1981 to 1983 by Nick Sundt, Charlie Bragdon, and colleagues Student of fire %. A commemorative D-Day invasion jump in Normandy, France immediately have to resort to GoFundMe!!!!!! Your kind and informed response been added below the portrait been in the air you. You turn it over and mix it with cool soil the financial fallout all at once last Sunday i... It is the first female smokejumper in it over and redmond smokejumpers it with soil! During this difficult time Redmond Base Manager ( s ), Redmond Base Manager ( s ) wind... $ 4.95, potato skins for $ 6.95, top sirloin steak fingers for $,! Is embarking on a historic trip next month to participate in a commemorative D-Day jump., Ben is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. recognized! If Im going to keep jumping, and the financial fallout all at once last Sunday on!
Don Reinhoudt Training, Articles R