Vehicle vs. Semi Accident

Interstate 40 -

On March 9, 2014 at 8:01 am, firefighters received an alarm for a passenger car vs. semi on Interstate 40 at the 62 mile post westbound. E521 arrived on scene to find a Dodge Challenger in the median upright with moderate front end damage and extensive roof damage.  Both vehicle were traveling westbound when the passenger car struck the rear of the semi trailer. 

The passenger vehicle passed under the DOT safety bar on the trailer, shearing the A-post on the passenger side of the vehicle before entering the median where it came to rest.  Luckily there was no passenger in the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle was uninjured but visibly shaken from the collision.  The driver and passenger of the semi were uninjured as well. 
The Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Division is conducting the investigation.  There were no traffic restrictions and the scene was cleared within an hour. 

Article by Engineer Chris Shaffer, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photos by Firefighter Aaron Volk, Pinion Pine Fire District

Vehicle Rollover Sends 4 to the Hospital

Highway 93 -

On March 7, 2014 at 4:25 pm, Firefighters received an alarm for vehicle rollover on Highway 93 near the 97 mile marker which brought the response of B516, E521 and C501. Units arrived to find a single vehicle on its roof with moderate damage to the rear. Crews began patient care on 4 patients and prepared them for transport. One patient was airlifted to Las Vegas with a head injury, the other 3 were transported by ground to KRMC.

The accident did not cause any traffic restrictions and is being investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol.

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

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