2006 Enchanted Circle Mini-Academy
Once a year, an incredibly important event happens in Red River that impacts the safety of nearly everyone living in the the Enchanted Circle, but goes virtually unnoticed by most residents. The Enchanted Circle Regional Fire Association conducts its annual fire Mini-Academy in September, where rookie firefighters from over twenty different fire departments in Taos and Colfax counties gather to learn structural firefighting techniques.
Participants from Moreno Valley Fire Department in 2006 were Melissa Crompton, Keith Crompton, and Larry Layden. Don Fink served as a Company Officer, Bob Coss was Safety Officer, and Scott Shaffer brought Pumper 2.
Commander was Dave Wallace, the Fire and Police Chief from Taos Ski Valley, and an active member and supporter of the Enchanted Circle Fire Association. “The Mini-Academy is probably one of the best opportunities in the state for firefighters,” according to Chief Wallace. He even places the level of training on par with the state’s fire academy in Socorro, primarily because it is “truly hands on training.” “It’s amazing how in three days, people who were struggling to just put their gear on are working like a well oiled machine by Sunday afternoon. The commitment from students, instructors and staff to give up three days is amazing.”
The commitment from people around the Enchanted Circle to make the academy a reality goes well beyond the three days in September each year. True, there were about twenty students participating in th2 academy in 2006, but there were at least as many instructors, company officers, command staff, and countless staff people who brought water for the fire engines, food for the people, and just about everything that is required to make an intense, three day course in firefighting a reality. There are the people working behind the scenes for months before the event like Ron and Dena Burnham of Red River, and Russ and Bonnie Driscoll of the Rio Fernando Fire Department, to name a very few. Jona Olson from Latir Fire Department was there with students, instructors, and staff personnel. The Moreno Valley Fire Department sent students and staff, while Eagle Nest Fire department provided several instructors and staff personnel, including Ralph (Mr. Pyro) Hissem, who directed the creation of fires in that year’s burn building. Nice burn Ralph!
I (Don Fink) had the privilege of being a company officer, which meant that I led a group of students through their curriculum. Let me share a bit of what we learned. We learned that fires are dangerous, and they kill people. We learned that, when we show up on a structure fire, there are many things we can do that might help the outcome of a fire and the safety of firefighters and victims involved with that fire. Our goal is always the preservation of life, including our own, and the protection of property.
We learned the difference between an offensive and defensive firefighting strategy, and when we use each one. Search and rescue techniques were important subjects, as well as scene preservation, and preservation of property and salvage operations. Overall, there were fifteen one hour and fifteen minute classes with nearly four hours of “putting it all together” simulations on the last day. You do the math.
That year’s Operations Chief was Paul Allen, a Lieutenant with the Taos Volunteer Fire Department. He summed up the experience by saying, “You meet the people on Friday morning with virtually no experience, and by Sunday afternoon they’re functioning as a fire department.” From my perspective as a company officer, I can concur. I saw the tentative and unsure nature of my students on Friday, and by Sunday afternoon, we were attacking our tasks with confidence. Would I go into fire with these rookie students? You Bet I would!”
Bob Coss, the Moreno Valley Fire Department Fire Chief worked as a safety officer that weekend. He reminded people that “the mini-academy is an excellent tool for the Enchanted Circle fire departments, and deserves the support of the enchanted circle residents who directly benefit from its training.”
While the Enchanted Circle’s fire mini-academy may be unnoticed by most residents, most fire personnel are okay with that arrangement. Their purpose is not to gain attention, but simply to protect the communities they serve. The mini-academy helps them to achieve that goal safely and efficiently, which is all anyone can expect.