1R-6 Rappeller News
February2012
MRC NEWS
1R-6 Rappeller News
CREW NEWS
It may only be February, but somewhere, something is on fire and we are all aching for some of the action. Regardless of how the fire season will come to pass, this season is lining up to be much different than the average year for MRC. Mr. Meyerholz is still here holding down the fort, ever vigilant in his managerial duties. Mr. Bush is hard at work here at the base doing all he can to get all of us hired and trained. Mr. Culley is finally back from his two year WO west hiatus….so we all need to remember what sarcasm is, welcome back Brandon. Eric Scholl has taken a job in Redmond, working for the Regional Aviation Group. Congratulations Eric, we are still waiting to hear who his replacement will be, but the selection has been made and is pending approval by the regional office.
We still have our two assistants Ron Sevey and Jeremy McIntosh, working hard side by side with the foremen’s. We should all congratulate Jeremy for his successful completion of pilot certification……no joke he’s a carded fixed wing pilot…… so watch the sky’s ladies and gents.
The five squad leaders this year will be, Eben Babb, Brian Baker,Ruben Griego,Paul Guivens, and Kyle Johnson.A rough bunch….Welcome Back.
Our PSE senior firefighters are Ryon Reed, Travis Bennett and Rebecca Voltin. Congratulations to Rebecca on completing the apprenticeship program. We still have an open senior firefighter position that will be filled as soon as the budget allows…..so ready your resumes.
Returningsenior firefighter veterans are Tyler Davis, Jake Feener, Kari Hirshberger, Eric Lindsay, Andrew Longyear, Geoff Melly, Bryna Ray, Wade Tait, Ryan Tucker and Kiel Wood. Welcome Back.
New hires this summer will include nobody……..that’s right we are pending on a budget this season still but as of now it looks like we will not have a rookie class. So snookies you need to start planning another skit…..your not vets yet.
BASE NEWS
This season we look forward to having 58HJ returning as our rappel platform , as well as 8TD the type 3. We will also be looking forward to hosting a K-Max this season from Heli-quest. We also plan to have tanker 413 back and the state fixed wing ATGS platform.
2012 TRAINING
With the lack of a rookie class(pending), I’m sure some of you are wondering what the training season will look like. Here is a brief and tentative overview of what to expect.
4/23-4/27: PT,PT, and oh yeah, more PT. Arrive at the base and take the fitness test, 1.5 mile run in under 11:00 minutes, 25 push-ups, 45 sit-ups and 7 pull-ups. Gear issue, PD overview…..etc, etc.This week will also be dedicated to preparing for the Veteran re-cert the following week in John Day.
4/30-5/4: Veteran Rappel Re-cert in John Day. As well as PT.
5/7-5/11: Fire refresher/pack test,at John Day and saw certification at Aldrich. We will be camping out for a few nights so bring the warm clothes. As part of the National Rappel Fitness Project, we will also be doing a pack-out fitness test for all of the crew. 3 miles with 110lbs in under 90 minutes on flat terrain…….so start hiking!
5/14-5/18: Couple of folks going to vet recert at salmon rappel base in R-4. Hope the rest of the crew will be on assignment!
6/4-???: Rookie Rappel Academy at Salmon Rappel base
Our collective success as it pertains to fire and aviation training provided to members of MRC will continue to be of the upmost importance. It is now time to explore, improve, and commit to gaining true experience on the ground. As we all know, expiring task books and 1-2 fires per rappellerhas put us in a rusty situation to say the least. We have the support and the dedicated rappellers to make it happen.
VET NEWS
Rappel Re-cert will be taking place in John Day on April 23rd.
A following vet Re-cert will take place at Salmon on May 14th for those who missed the first.
PT NEWS
The National Rappel Fitness project was officially launched last month. This project is led by MTDC with involvement by reps from each rappel region. As part of the project research, you will be receiving a rappeller job task analysis which is due back by April 15th. There will also be a link to it on our crew website.
You can mail or fax the form to:
Joe Domitrovich
5785 HWY 10 West
Missoula MT, 59808
Or:
Attn: Joe Domitrovich
Fax # 406-329-3719
It has been recommended by MTDC that all rappellers perform a baseline fitness evaluation for 2012. The crew has met these expectations for years however, we all need to properly prepare for this evaluation which is the 1 ½ mile run (11 min), 25 push-ups, 45 sit-ups, and 7 pull-ups. In addition, the 110# pack-out (3 miles, flat terrain, 90 min) will be part of this evaluation for allrappellers. This evaluation is part of the project and not a condition of hire.
Physical training is essential to prepare for the upcoming fire season. Allowing you enough time to properly prepare is crucial. Your physical fitness should be close to peaking when you arrive.
Our PT program should challenge you to excel. The PT is not designed to break people down, but help crewmembers maintain a strong base in which you can perform well for a busy and long fire season. Our expectations are that you give us 110% and we will give you 115%.
Remember our fire rotation board is for personnelthat are “Fit for Duty”.
See most of you April 23rd.
Big News…
Eben Babb and Paula Dreyer(MRC alumni for those who don’t know) Got engaged! Congratulations!!
2012 Crew Gear Ordering
To get ready for the 2012 fire season it’s time to order t-shirts, sweat shirts, and stocking caps. At MRC we encourage all of our crew to dress in crew shirts and sweatshirts both here at the base and in the field to maintain our professional appearance and attitude. Do to the large expense for paying for a whole crews clothing order please send a check made out to Kyle Johnson with the enclosed order form and your crew gear will be here waiting for you the first day! The sweatshirts might seem to be a bit more expensive than typical, but they are embroidered on the front and on the back (no screen-printing). They are on the heaviest material that we can get, so they are durable and warm.
The stocking caps are a polar fleece with embroidery on them and are also great for your bellybag and that high elevation late season fire (you might want more than one).
Order forms are due by March 26thifyou have any questions give Kyle a call at (541) 240-1320 or email . Thanks and we’ll see you all very soon!
Renting in John Day
With April 23rd right around the corner everyone needs to bethinking about renting a place for the summer. Hopefully everyone knows that government housing is not available unless you are detailed to the program. To get sense of what GrantCounty has to offer is to go online and visit the Blue Mountain Eagle Newspaper. (
For rental opportunities check out then select “Blue Mountain Eagle” to filter for John Day results. When looking for a place, there are three nearby towns that could work if you choose to live outside of John Day. PrairieCity is 13 miles east, Mt Vernon is 7 miles west and CanyonCity is 2 miles to the south.
Most of the rentals advertised are 1 to 2 bedroom apartments, 1 to 3 bedroom homes, and a few mobile homes. CanyonGarden Apartments (with one and two bedrooms) and C&M Apartments (with studio and one bedroom) have worked well for crewmembers and are generally close to the base. If you like a place but aren’t going into John Day until May, you may want to send a deposit to hold things open. There are many seasonal workers that come to the area in the summer, so demand is high. Start looking early…………..
Here is some more helpful info. Most everywhere requires you to pay for garbage, sewer and water. Electricity will require $125.00 deposit (refundable). Having pets will make your search for a rental much harder. It is also challenging to find pet care during the summer. You Will Be Traveling!!!
If you would like to have someone check out a location before you commit to it, you can call Kyle Johnson @ 541-240-1320. We have also enclosed a contact list so you possibly make arrangements with your new brothers and sisters to find a place to live.
Malheur Rappel Info:
Base Manager:
Jeff Meyerholz
National Manager:
Operations
Brandon Culley
541-575-3373
National Assistant Manager:
Operations
Ron Sevey
541-575-3387
National Manager:
Training/Hiring
Eric Bush
541-575-3371
NationalAssistant Manager:
Training/Hiring
VACANT
National Manager:
Equipment
VACANT
National Assistant Manager:
Equipment
Jeremy McIntosh
541-575-3376
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MRC Crew Gear
1R-6 Rappeller News
Order Form
MLXL EachQuantity Total
Sweatshirt□□□$57.00 $
Short Sleeve T-Shirt□□□$14.00 $
Long Sleeve T-Shirt□□□$17.00 $
Stocking CapOne size fits all$12.00 $
Baseball Hat ( Fitted ) One size fits all $21.00 _____ $_____
Grand Total$
Please make checks out to Kyle Johnson
Order forms are due by March 26th
Mail to:
Kyle Johnson
C/o Malheur Rappel Crew
POBOX 909
John Day, OR97845