Firefighter Focus

WAITSBURG-As longtime volunteer firefighters retire and fresh faces fail to fill the void, the local volunteer pool continues to dwindle. With less than 20 active volunteer firefighters and four EMTs, Columbia-Walla Walla Fire No. 2 is actively recruiting new volunteers.

Two events are planned over the next weeks to introduce interested parties to the department and volunteerism. An open house is planned at the station on Main Street in Waitsburg, following the Waitsburg Celebration Days Parade. Volunteers will hand out free ice cream bars, offer tours of the station and equipment and be on hand to answer questions.

On June 8, the department will be on hand and Spark in the Park in Prescott. The department, along with LifeFlight, will be in the Prescott Park from 1-4 p.m. Volunteers will also man a booth at Pomegranate Park (between the Tuxedo Bar & Grill and Prescott Library) from 5-8:30, while The FrogHollow Band performs in the park.

Over the next few weeks, The Times will profile some current department volunteers to learn about their experiences and how they work volunteering around the other responsibilities.

Jamie Allen

Allen is currently the only female volunteer and has served the district for four years. She volunteers as both a firefighter and EMT and, as lieutenant, holds the honor of being Waitsburg's first female officer.

Allen originally earned her EMT certification in Idaho, but let it lapse after suffering back injuries. When she returned to Dayton she worked as a CNA in at Dayton General Hospital and took night classes at Walla Walla Community College to be recertified as an EMT in Washington. She volunteered in Dayton before moving to Waitsburg and becoming a volunteer with Fire No. 2.

While most volunteers start in fire and then add EMT training, Allen did it the other way around. She was the lone female when she attended the Walla Walla Fire Academy in 2013 and came in first out of 26 participants.

"I kind of drug my feet about getting into the fire end of things, but I really enjoy the excitement of it," she said.

Allen said that when she worked as a CNA, the hospital was supportive of allowing her to respond to calls if they could afford to lose her on the floor. As the current owner of the Waitsburg Grocery store, she responds if the store has sufficient coverage.

McMillan said that volunteering is possible, even when its not always easy. As a single mom who has overcome four back surgeries, she is familiar with obstacles.

"When you have kids, you make choices. You may not always take that call. And when you volunteer, your whole family volunteers. You may be called out on a birthday or Christmas dinner. Hopefully, you have a family that will understand and encourage you," she said.

Allen said she likes being able to help in an emergency and admits she likes the adrenaline rush of responding to a scene.

"I'm a people-helper. It's who I naturally am. You never know what you're going to get. Someone may just need me to make coffee and a sandwich and visit or it may be a life-threatening situation," she said.

Community members interested in learning more about volunteering as a firefighter or EMT with Fire No. 2 should talk to any current local volunteer or stop by the department at the May 18 open house, following the Waitsburg Celebration Days parade.