For eight months nine local volunteer cadets have been training every Saturday morning at the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District to become certified firefighters. They’ve already received training in emergency medical response and are now ready to complete the next level of instruction in preparation for a career in public fire safety.
Their training at the Fire Academy began with textbook instruction presented by Fire District Chief Joseph DeWolf and Battalion Chief Kevin Venos. Additional training was provided by fire captains from the local and nearby participating districts. That instruction was supplemented with live field training, or “practicals,” requiring the cadets to learn more than 60 field skills, including communications, ladders, extrication, propane fires, smoke reading, firefighter down emergencies, car fires, and more.
The most intense and demanding field training involved “live burns,” for which the cadets and instructors traveled to the Palominas Fire District. Their facilities include a 14-foot-square “burn room,” in which old wood pallets were stacked in a pile and set on fire. As the fire grew hotter and the sound of crackling wood could be heard outside, the cadets donned their fireproof clothing and their breathing apparatus and prepared for their final field test.
Safety officers were on hand and extra water hoses were in place around the structure. When the temperature inside the burn room exceeded 600 degrees, cadets, four at a time, clung to a fire hose together and crawled slowly into the burning building. The door was closed behind them with a loud metallic clang. The room inside was dark, except for the orange glow of the fire.
One by one the cadets took turns with the hose. They were told in advance to use a strong and steady stream of water on the fire and also on the ceiling. This cools down the fire and the temperature of the room without causing the dreaded “steam simulation” effect that is produced when a thin mist of water is sprayed on the fire, a procedure that creates steam and water vapors, which, when heated, become hotter than the fire itself.
As part of the exercise, the cadets applied such a mist, and the temperature of the room instantly went up another 400 degrees. The hot water vapor, being heavier than the air, descended from the ceiling, surrounding the cadets with almost unbearable heat that could be felt through their protective gear. A lesson well learned.
Minutes later the door opened and the students crawled out, still clinging to their water hose. Their blood pressures and heart rates had been measured before they went in, and the numbers were a lot higher when they came out. This was their last field skills test. After 220 hours of training, the cadets are now ready to complete state certification, and begin their work as firefighters.
Animal Light Therapy to Reduce Pain
Cate Drown, local resident and writer of the monthly column “Animal Tales” in this newspaper, loves animals—large and small. Her experience as an equine veterinarian assistant and proprietor of a specialty care facility for animals led her to an interest in becoming a certified bioscan technician. She now devotes herself full time to treating animals in need, using Sumerel Therapy equipment, a two-part process for treating pain or injury in an animal. It begins by identifying the source of the problem, then applies light diodes to the targeted area to help in healing and pain reduction.
Cate’s equipment consists of two units. One is a scanner, which searches for drops in the body’s electrical resistance caused by injury or damage, and is used to pinpoint where the therapy should be directed. The other is a control unit that provides treatment. The control unit establishes the frequencies and settings of noninvasive red, blue, and infrared light diodes to be placed on the affected area. Two pads, with 500 lights each, are used to administer the treatment.
Cate begins by placing a pad she refers to as the “Happy Hat” on the animal’s head. The pad produces pulsating lights at two frequencies, releasing endorphins that calm the animal. Then she scans the animal, looking for damaged tissue, which is identified by a beeping sound. Finally, she applies heat to the injured area via the light diodes. According to Cate, “Light energy stimulates the release of nitric oxide from hemoglobin into the bloodstream. The muscle cells relax and allow more blood flow to the injured area.” Some situations require only one treatment to rectify the problem. More chronic issues may require several treatments.
Ann Alden, director of the Borderlands Center for Equine Assisted Services in Sonoita, uses Cate’s light therapy on many of the animals living at her equine center. She strongly endorses the system, especially on her older horses. Ann says, “Light therapy improves their quality of life and makes them feel better. Stable management should include light therapy.”
Cate Drown can be contacted at Beyond Reason Ranch by email at drown_cate@hotmail.com
Notes From the Sonoita Fairgrounds
The Fair Board has begun planning for this year’s Centennial Celebration. Five Committees have been formed to plan the events. The board encourages all members to participate in one of these committees. The committees are: Building and Grounds, Membership & Volunteers, Publicity, Marketing & Social Media, Centennial Celebration Events, and Fundraising.
Recent elections results: Jim Cosby is re-elected as President. John Titus is the new Vice-President; Jamie Smith serves as the Treasurer and Roland Cowan is elected as Secretary.
Recent elections of the association members also resulted in welcoming three new members to the Board. They are John Titus, Gary Brown and George Masek.
The Board has already scheduled many of the events for the year with the promise of more to come. Already scheduled are:
February 28 – Dave Stamey Concert
March 7 – Sonoita Royalty Contest. Categories include Little Miss, Rodeo Princess & Rodeo Queen. – Deadline for applications is February 10
May 2 & 3 – Kentucky Derby Day races
June 11 thru 14 – 77th Annual Quarter Horse Show
September 5 thru 7 – Labor Day Rodeo
September 18 thru 20 – County Fair
Contact the Fairgrounds office by email at info@sonoita-fairgrounds.com, or visit their website at www.sonoitafairgrounds.com