Mutual Aid Response for Vehicle Fire

Hualapai Mtn Rd - 

On February 27, 2014 at 6:30 pm, Pinion Pine Fire District received a mutual aid request by Pine Lake Fire District for a RV on fire on Hualapai Mountain Rd near mile marker 10.5 which brought the response on E511 from Fire Station 51 (fs51) and C501 from Fire Station 52 (fs52). E621 and C601 arrived on scene to find a pickup truck hauling a fifth wheel trailer with a motor compartment fire. E621 deployed a CAFS attack line and knocked the fire down with no extension into the brush. E511 and C501 arrived on scene and provided manpower to E621 for overhaul. Firefighters checked for extension into the trailer with nothing found.

The cause of the fire is believed to be related to an overheating issue with the pickup truck was was undetermined on scene. Resources on scene included Pine Lake C601, E621 and Pinion Pine C501 and E511 totaling 9 personnel.

Article by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photo by Captain Gail Jackson, Pinion Pine Fire District

Messy Accident on Interstate 40

Interstate 40 - 

On February 27, 2014 at 1:34 pm, firefighters were dispatched to the area of Interstate 40 at the 62 mile marker for reported motor vehicle accident involving a car hauler. E521 and C501 responded from Station 52 (fs52) to find a semi car hauler on its side blocking traffic and in the median and a second vehicle with moderate damage to the side of the vehicle. Firefighters assessed the patients from both vehicle, 4 being transported to an area hospital.

The accident occurred when the car hauler side swiped a passenger car parked on the shoulder, causing the semi to flip into the median. Traffic on Interstate 40 was backed up for a few hours eastbound while the vehicles from the car hauler were removed and lanes cleared. We would like to remind everyone that Arizona has a "Move Over Law" for just this reason. You are required to move  over for vehicles on the side of the road or emergency personnel working on the side of the road. This incident could of been avoided if the driver would have moved over.

Article by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Captain Gail Jackson, Pinion Pine Fire District

Pinion Pine Lieutenant Attends 2014 Firefighter Throwdown

San  Diego, Ca -

Roughly 18 months ago, Lieutenant/Paramedic Kevin Gifford began pursuing CrossFit. CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program with the aim of improving, among other things, muscular strength, cardio-respiratory endurance, and flexibility through constantly varied functional movements executed at high intensity across broad modal and time domains. Since Kevin's new passion for CrossFit, and the lifestyle that comes with it, he has been molded into the the best physical and mental shape he has ever been in.

In the end of 2013, his hard work and dedication to Crossfit paid off, Kevin learned that he qualified in the top 100 CrossFit athletes in the fire service throughout the United States and Canada and secured a spot in the 2014 Firefighter Throwdown to be held in San Diego, Ca during the Firehouse World Expo.

On February 19, 2014, the Firefighter Throwdown began where 4 events were to be completed throughout the day. These events included workouts such as a 2 rep max thruster ladder, double unders, sprints, overhead walking lung, kettle bell snatches, chest to bar pull-ups and a 7 calorie bike just to name a few. At the end of day one, Kevin placed a very impressive 15th out of 65 contestants but would not meet the point requirement to move on to the finals.

Kevin performing a kettle bell snatch

Kevin putting up 215 lbs on the 2 rep max thruster ladder

Kevin finishing event 3 with chest to bar pull-ups

Kevin spent day 2 rooting on another Kingman firefighter, Ty Gilstrap, a BLM firefighter who moved on to the finals and finished in 4th place.

We congratulate both Kevin and Ty for an amazing performance and in representing Kingman, Az with some of the finest athletes. 

Article by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photos by Firefighter Throwdown

Evening Vehicle Fire

Interstate 40 -

On February 18, 2014 at 10:32 pm, Firefighters received an alarm for a passenger vehicle on fire on Interstate 40 near the Fort Rock exit eastbound which brought the response of  Engine 521 from Fire Station 52 (fs52). While responding, updates were given that the fire had ignited the brush around the vehicle. Crews arrived to find a vehicle fully involved with roughly a quarter acre brush fire. An inch and one half attack line was used and both fires were suppressed in 6 minutes.

The vehicle and and contents were a complete loss

The owner stated they were driving and heard a loud pop, once the vehicle pulled over, the area under the motor compartment immediately burst into flames. An occupant of the vehicle complained of chest pain and difficulty breathing. Care was given until AMR arrived and transported the patient to an area hospital. Eastbound traffic was reduced to one lane for 30 minutes while crews worked.

Article by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photo by Firefighter Mike Schmidt, Pinion Pine Fire District

Firefighters Respond to Garage Fire

Lazy Y U -

On Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 2:23 pm, Pinion Pine firefighters were dispatched to the 3000 block of Lawman Drive in the Lazy Y U Subdivision for a reported shed fire with possible exposures which brought the response of E511 from Fire Station 51 (fs51), E523 from Fire Station 52 (fs52) and Battalion 5. First unit on scene found a detached garage fully involved with fire and no exposures to the house. Crews deployed a CAFS attack line and had the fire knocked down in 14 minutes from their arrival. Firefighters remained on scene for approximately one and a half hours, overhauling the fire.

Firefighters Matt Young and Mike Schmidt are seen overhauling the fire

The homeowner stated he had barbequed the day before and left the coals in the barbeque outside, after letting them cool overnight, he separated the ashes from the coals and placed the coals on a shelf in a wire basket. He believes the coals were not 100% out and had continued to burn, catching items on the shelf on fire and spreading throughout the garage. Although nothing had spread to the adjacent structure or brush, the garage itself was completely destroyed. We remind everyone to double check your coals, even if they do not feel warm to the touch, place them in a fire safe container away from any flammable materials and douse with water.

Article and Photos by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Evening Vehicle Accident On Highway 93

Wikieup, Az -

On February 9, 2014 around 6:45 pm, E521 and C501 were dispatched to Highway 93 near mile post 118 (Wikieup) for a vehicle rollover with unknown injuries. Units arrived to find 2 vehicles, one upright with damage to the front of the vehicle, the other on its roof with heavy damage on its side.

Firefighters located the driver of the overturned vehicle who had been self extricated, complained of arm pain and had multiple lacerations over his body. The patient was packaged and transported to an area hospital by ground with non life threatening injuries. The driver of the second vehicle fled the scene after the accident and was not located. Witnesses to the accident stated a car was traveling north on Highway 93 with their headlights off and weaving into oncoming traffic when they struck the side of the second car traveling south, causing it to roll. The accident is being investigated by the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol. Traffic was slowed down, but both lanes remained open at the scene.

Article by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Captain Gail Jackson and Engineer Chris Shaffer, Pinion Pine Fire District

Firefighters Battle Stubborn Semi Fire

Interstate 40 -

On February 6, 2014 around 7:30 pm, the Kingman Alarm Center received multiple reports of a semi on fire near the 74 mile marker on Interstate 40 westbound which brought the response of E511 and C501 from Fire Station 51 (fs51). Once C501 arrived on scene, he reported a semi trailer fully involved hauling chicken and tortillas. E511 arrived, deployed a CAFS attack line and began suppression and had the fire knocked down within 10 minutes.

Firefighters James Bevins and Harry Doyle attacking the fire just after arrival

Firefighters quickly realized the sides of the trailer beginning to fail, making it unsafe to work in or around the trailer. E521 from Fire Station 52 (fs52) was dispatched for manpower and to provide a water shuttle operation from the Petro Truck Stop at exit 66 on Interstate 40. Firefighters continued to apply CAFS to the load until ADOT arrived with a front end loader to overturn the trailer to allow firefighters to safely mop up any remaining heat. Crew were on scene for approximately 6 hours, making sure the scene was safe for wrecking company.

Firefighter Justin Escobar and Mike Schmidt continuing to cool the fire from a safe location awaiting ADOT loader

Westbound traffic was reduced to the high speed lane by the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol and ADOT for the duration of the incident but did not cause any traffic backups or delays. Although the cause of the fire was undetermined, the driver stated his driver side trailer brakes caught fire. He discharged his on board fire extinguisher but was unable to put the fire out, which quickly spread into the trailer. No injuries were reported during the incident.

Article by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Captain Gail Jackson, Pinion Pine Fire District