Sonoita-Elgin Fire Department News

Fall 2004

Our First Fire Chief—Sam Fraizer, 1946-1979

Sam had just been discharged from the Navy when he and Ilene moved to Sonoita. At that time the area was almost all ranches; there were very few private dwellings. They leased land from the Honnases*, went to Fort Huachuca (The Fort), tore down a building, brought the lumber to Sonoita, and built a gas station/garage and lunch room, located at the southwest corner of 83 and 82, where the Mini Mart is now. Their business was know as Sonoita Services. While Sam was repairing cars and pumping gas, Ilene was "feeding people,” including, at one time, about 20 highway workers who were putting Highway 82 through to Whetstone. She served soup, sandwiches, and pies. They lived in two rooms at the back of the business. Also, about that time, Ed Le Gendre hauled over an office building from The Fort and built a combined gas station, little store, and a post office, just across the road (where the Steak Out and Mercantile are now) from the Fraizer’s business.

Sam was the first to realize the need for help in the community for fire protection. He went to The Fort and bought a surplus 1941 Chevrolet fire truck and operated it mostly at his own expense. This arrangement continued for about 20 years until Sam and Ilene decided to move. They built another gas station-garage and lunchroom on land bought from Lew Douglas** on Highway 83, southeast of the crossroads (where the Sherrif’s office and library are now). From the Honnases they bought land just across 83 from their business for their “in town home.” They found a house they liked on Lower Elgin Road, and had it hauled over to their home site. They also had a ranch off of Highway 83 south.

Sam’s main concern was grass fires. He had many volunteers including Jokey Spencer and Mack Woods. If Sam was called about a fire, the whole community would turn out. Ilene says she sure learned how to use a wet gunny sack and a flapper, as did everyone else. As time passed, Sam needed more equipment. Through the State Forestry Department he obtained two, 2 ½ ton Army surplus vehicles and equipped them with 600 gallon tanks, and small self -powered pumps. Sam’s son Ross calls them “the old duce and a halfs.” The trucks were the property of the State. This arrangement worked for awhile, until those 20 year old trucks started wearing out, and there were no replacement parts to be found.

“Times they are a changin’.” After 33 years of service to this community, Sam and Ilene decided to sell out, and take a well deserved retirement***. This must have been a wonderful time for the Fraizers since they had time to travel. When Ilene talks about their traveling she smiles and says, “Yes, we traveled a lot!”

 

The Fire Department Fall Season

The volunteers and staff of the fire department are kicking into overtime this fall. In addition to our continued emergency responses, we will be contributing to a great many community events, and taking advantage of a number of important training programs.

 

Community Events

• September 4-6, 2004 - Labor Day Rodeo- We had dedicated volunteers covering shifts enabling crews to respond to anticipated vehicle emergencies from the increased traffic coming into our community, as well as assisting the patrons of the rodeo. The actual riding contestants were covered by the Rodeo’s own dedicated emergency crews, but we provided assistance to these crews, as needed.
• September 11 – Empire Ranch Days – We provided a unit with volunteers to supply visitors with information, and distribute educational materials. The unit helped provide first aid at the event, as well as responding to local emergencies.
• September 17-19, 2004 - Santa Cruz County Fair – EMT’s and First Responders will be providing free blood pressure checks to the community. Other volunteers and SEESI board members will be handing out balloons and other fun articles, as well as providing educational materials to the public. The Fire Department will once again challenge the local Sheriff, DPS, Border Patrol, and other agencies to a “Tug-o-War” resulting in someone getting wet! Different items will also be raffled off. Times and places to be announced.
• October 14, 2004 – Burger Burn - The Elgin Elementary School is having their annual “Burger Burn” from approximately 4-8 p.m.. SEESI volunteers will staff a booth full of information, free gifts, and fun raffle items for the children in the area. An adult raffle may also be provided.
• Masek’s Grass Ridge Trials: Emergency response will be coordinated in order to enable coverage for this planned October event.

 

Training Programs

• September 9-12, 2004 –Arizona State Fire School- Selected firefighters will be sent to Phoenix where additional training and information will be obtained pertaining to the fire and emergency medical services (EMS) industry. Newly acquired skills will be brought back and incorporated into our training programs to further the education of our local firefighters and medical personnel.
• October 7-8, 2004 - Trauma Conference– Medical personnel will be attending the Southern Arizona Trauma Conference in Tucson. Volunteers will be on duty to assure our community continues to receive quality emergency assistance. Information will be brought back and shared with our local medical providers

 

Electrical Upgrade

The electrical service for the Sonoita Fire Department has been upgraded from 200 amp. single phase to a three phase, four wire, 400 amp., 208 volt system. The previous system was thoroughly loaded and prevented bringing in new circuits. The new three phase panel provides the capability to run 120 volt, 208 volt single phase, and 208 three phase circuits. An additional benefit is that it is now possible to purchase readily available three phase equipment which is economical to operate.

 

Who’s Who in the Sonoita-Elgin Fire Department

Paid Staff:	Board of Directors:
Joseph DeWolf, fire chief	Jody Walker, president
Laura Sink, captain	Doug Ruppel, vice president
Kathe Barry, lieutenant	Terri Clark, secretary
Jim Dettmer, treasurer	Bonnie Chambers, board member
	Gary Gilbert, board member
Volunteers	Jane Lind, board member
32 dedicated individuals	Jud Marston, board member
	John Titus, board member

 

Fire Safety Tip: Can you even imagine how many causes of fire there are? Many we know and many we don’t. We recently had a structure fire started by a crock pot. Check yours out! Set it on your counter and turn it on HIGH for about ½ hour. BE CAREFUL and watch it to make sure everything is OK. Now turn it OFF. Feel your counter. Is it VERY hot? You bet it is! If the counter is hot, find another non-flammable place to put the crock pot (like on a tile or pizza stone). Or safer yet, don’t leave the crock pot unattended.

 

Sonoita Open Golf Tournament: HEY ALL YOU GOLFERS!!! Are you ready for the BIG golf game? Better shine up your clubs, wash your club head towels, be sure you have enough golf balls, and sign up. You could be a big winner. Fee will be $60. The big event will start at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, October 9th, at Kino Golf Club. There will be a Shot Gun Start and Scramble Play. Lunch will be served when play is finished. Also, there will be a raffle and an auction. Come on and join the fun! For sign up or more information call: J. D. Braswell (455-5213), Milo Blecha (455-5741), or Jerry Bianchi (455-5857).

 

Thanks To Our Most Recent Donors!

Recent grants from the Santa Cruz Community Foundation (SCCF), the Patagonia Regional Community Foundation (PRCF), and Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative Foundation (SSVECF) have allowed the fire department to purchase critically important emergency medical equipment.

Funding from the SSCF supported the purchase of a wall mounted blood pressure cuff, some oxygen tanks with regulators, and a new pulse oximeter.

PRCF and SSVECF grant monies provided new, padded spine boards and a litter wheel that enables us to transport patients from remote areas to the helicopter or ambulance’s location. The new spine boards will hopefully make patients more comfortable when the boards are used. The litter wheel will greatly assist the EMTs and volunteers when responding to the increasing number of emergency calls in remote areas.

SEESI gratefully acknowledges the support provided by these three local foundations. The new equipment will greatly benefit residents and visitors of Sonoita/Elgin.

SEESI Ladies

The Ladies conduct a variety of fundraising events throughout the year to benefit SEESI. One very popular event is the Saturday luncheons, held several times a year at the fire station, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Upcoming luncheons are scheduled for October 9 th and November 13 th. All community members are invited to stop by and select from several delicious entrees. If you don’t have time for lunch, drop in and purchase some baked goods to take home.

Linda Kennedy, former SEESI board member, who is also assistant director of the National Audubon Society Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, asked the SEESI Ladies to cater a special event to honor Ranch director Bill Branan. Special thanks are due to Pat Dow, Marion Stoddard, and Carol Hager for catering this event and raising funds for SEESI.

The bi-annual rummage sale will be held on Saturday, October 2 nd at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. If you have items to donate for the sale, or want to help staff this event, contact Carol and Harold Hager at 455-5348.

In December the SEESI Ladies prepare trays of holiday cookies and candies for sale to the community. The trays will be assembled on December 18 th and will be available for pick-up on Sunday, December 19 th. Volunteers to make cookies and/or candies are always needed. So, get your cookie and candy recipes together and be prepared to respond when the call for assistance goes out. And, watch for flyers and newspaper announcements with details on how to order trays for you and yours.

 

Blood Pressure Checks

Did you know that the Sonoita-Elgin Fire Department medical personnel are available to check your blood pressure? There is usually someone available from 8:30-9:00 a.m. and 3:30-5:00 p.m., unless they are out on a call. Just give the fire station a call at 455-5854.

 

Questions???

Do you have questions you would like to ask about the Sonoita-Elgin Fire Station? Such as: What does SEESI stand for? (answer: Sonoita-Elgin Emergency Services, Inc.). We will be happy to answer any questions you send us. Send them to: SEESI, P. O. Box 322, Sonoita, AZ 85637

 

Hazardous Materials Training

Four Sonoita-Elgin Fire Department personnel recently completed a 24 hour first responder hazardous materials (Hazmat) training class. This brings our total of Hazmat trained personnel to seven; an additional four personnel are scheduled for training in early 2005.

Selected Fire Department Activity Statistics

Activity	Jan-July 2003	Jan-July 2004	Percent Change
Page Outs	132	124	-6%
Brush Fires	28	12	-57%
Patient Contacts*	141	147	4%
Motor Vehicle Accident Patients	30	50	67%
Trauma Calls (e.g. hiking or horse riding fall)	18	21	17%
Medical Calls (e.g. heart attack)	40	39	-3%

* Includes all types of patient contacts, three examples of the most common types are next listed.

 

Not A SEESI Member?

Run!!! Hurry!!! Get your check book!!! Write your check out for your dues!!! Don’t wait for something to happen!!! Are you willing to take a chance on your health or a fire? Pay your dues!!! It will be much cheaper than paying for each crew and truck when you need them. See the comparison below.

 

We hope you are convinced!!! Send your check in now!!!

SEESI

P. O. Box 322

Sonoita, AZ 85637

 

* The old Honnas Ranch is now a residential area, northwest of the intersection of 83 and 82.

**Lew Douglas was the father-in-law of Mary Pease Douglas, who still lives in Sonoita.

***They sold to Ben and Sidney Franklin, owners of the Crown C Ranch. Sidney still owns Crown C.