Plumas, Lassen and Sierra Counties On the cover: Local doctor to climb EVEREST Page 24 Inside: I Sierra Valley destination oasis has colorful history I Saying goodbye after 40 years with Quincy Fire I Celebrating the mothers of teens this Mother’s Day I Avalos Family becomes a party of seven I Take advantage of camping locally I “Survivor’s” Ben “Coach” Wade has new record deal I Honoring fallen veterans Published locally by Feather Publishing Co., Inc. CONTENTS Forty years at Deputy Fire Chief retires . .3 Quincy Fire; Historic Sierra Hot Springs . .8 David Windle is hanging up Mother’s Day Luncheon ideas . .12 his boots Mothering support is important..14 Memorial Day tribute . .16 By Mike Taborski [email protected] Prepping your veggie garden . .20 Retiring Deputy Chief David Windle. Photo submitted The doctor is out... ...climbing mountains . .24 David has seen a lot of changes in more The importance of spaying/neutering your pets .28 than four decades and has been Real Estate section . .29-33 instrumental in making many of them The Avalos family is blessed with quadruplets . .34 fter 40 rewarding years as a training, no fire academy, that was it.” volunteer firefighter, instructor, David remembers that there was a very mentor and role model at the limited supply of safety helmets and fire Camping adventures that are Quincy Fire Department, Deputy protection clothing (turnouts) available for Chief David Windle reluctantly the firefighters in those days. “It was very close to home . .36 decided in March that it was time to common to go on a fire call and see guys like step aside — or, ‘hobble’ aside might Jimmy (Stockton) arrive on scene directly be more accurate. “Looking back, it doesn’t from their office wearing slacks and a dress Diamond Mountain Golf Aseem like it’s been 40 years, but my knees are shirt while fighting the fire,” David said. clearly telling me that it’s time to give them a Their drill nights were held every other Course improvements . .38 rest,” he said. Tuesday, just as they are today. In his early David was just 25 when he joined the years, on the first Tuesday they practiced how department in February 1981. Battalion Chief to effectively spray water on a burning Martin’s Greenhouse preps Jim Bequette approached him at a Rotary building. On the second Tuesday they would for season opening . .42 function shortly after David joined the service discuss, often argue, about the department club. needs and its budget over dinner. “Jim told me that he and the other two But there was still camaraderie. “In the old Chester man pursues battalion chiefs at the time, Jim Stockton and days we had a bar upstairs at the station. It Jim Hedin, were looking for younger people to was common for many of the firefighters to naval career . .44 become involved with the department. So I have a drink after the meetings, play some filled out an application for membership but cribbage and hang out. The chief (referring to didn’t hear anything for a few months before longtime Fire Chief Andy Anderson) thought Meet the Survivor supergroup: finally getting a call to come to the station. having a bar inside the station wasn’t When I showed up they handed me a jacket particularly a good idea from an image The Dragonz . .49 and helmet and showed me how to operate a standpoint, but he thought it was far better fire truck and simply said, ‘Welcome to the than going to a bar in our fire attire.” File photo department; you are now a fireman.’ No David has seen a lot of changes in more High Country Life • May 2021 3 High Country Life May 2021 Sunset, Pigeon Cliffs, west of Susanville, April 14, 2021. Photo by Joaquin Mann David Windle is at the site of a mobile home park fire on Lawrence Street in Quincy. Photo submitted A free regional monthly magazine about the people, ; places and events in Lassen, Trees Shrubs ; Plumas and Sierra Counties. Perennials Annual Color Lawn Care ; Fruit & Veggies Garden Supplies Published locally by: Organic Compost & Fertilizers Feather Publishing Co. Inc. and Plant Pharmacy ; Seed ; Glazed Pottery the Lassen County Times Main office: P.O. Box B, Quincy, CA 95971 530-283-0800 or 530-257-5321 Cobey Brown, publisher Debra Moore, Plumas editor Sam Williams & Makenzie Davis, Lassen editors Cindie Williams, Robert Mahenski, graphics, layout and design For advertising information or Open Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun 10-4 story ideas, call or email: 705-670 Hwy 395 E, Susanville [email protected] 530.251.2330 or everybloomin.com Chester store opens May 8th! [email protected] PURCHASE GIFT CARDS ONLINE! 530.310.0453 • 130 Main Street, Chester 4 High Country Life • May 2021 than four decades and has been instrumental in making many of them, especially with regard to volunteers’ training, equipment and safety. He would be the first to tell you that clearly the department isn’t the same as when he joined in 1981. Driven by an ever-increasing number of state and federal mandates, the training is more intense, it’s more focused, and it’s more thorough. “Like I said, when I first started we’d all just pull up to a fire and start squirting water. At the time we thought we were organized and knew what we were doing. We were being careful and safe, and we were putting out fires, but it was nothing like it is now.” He praised then Chief Andy Anderson for his people skills, fire knowledge and his vision for leading the fire department’s volunteers into the future. As an example, David said that Chief Anderson recognized that a young, up-and- coming volunteer firefighter by the name of Robbie Cassou had fire service in his blood. So with Andy’s encouragement and help, Robbie became a paid firefighter in Los Angeles. Andy knew full well that Robbie would get the experience and training he needed to round out his chosen career and gambled that he would eventually bring it all back to Quincy. When Robbie did return he worked as a paramedic at Plumas District Hospital and David Windle responds to the scene of a house fire on Bell Lane. Photo submitted resumed his commitment to the department. Now, not surprisingly, he is the fire chief. At the time, David also worked part-time at PDH as an EMT, which he did for 29 years. He, Robbie and Andy developed a comprehensive and effective safety and training program for the volunteers. “I would argue that the way we do things in our department today is as good as, if not better, than any paid department,” bragged David. The equipment has evolved as well. Then the department had four fire engines, an OES engine and two modified pickup trucks equipped with water tanks in their beds used primarily for grass fires. Today, there are eight engines; two of them specialized for HAZMAT and rescue responses, along with a fully — YOUR CUSTOM FRAMING EXPERT — equipped van for the support team. ...providing quality and great design to suit your style. The ‘jaws of life’ used to be towed behind a pickup truck. It would take two firemen to We can custom frame for that operate the ‘jaws,’ while a third stayed at the trailer making sure the hydraulic extraction special wedding or any tool’s motor didn’t stop running. Today, one man can easily maneuver the ‘jaws’ — now celebration... efficiently powered by a small 24-volt battery. come see us! First responders The uncertainty of going on calls and not 168 Main St., Chester knowing what to expect is always a concern — especially if the responder is a long-time 530.258.4663 resident who knows many people in the community. High Country Life • May 2021 5 David said fires, accidents and medical Road in East Quincy. It began when the valve calls involving children are always the most on a propane company’s storage tank difficult. “After an emergency call I can go ruptured. The escaping fuel quickly created a home and I’d be fine, but when kids are ‘I am going to miss massive cloud of liquid propane gas that involved it’s different. It can really break your continued to grow as it began drifting east heart.” toward the mill. When the dispatcher announces a call, its Armed with advice from neighboring Butte nature and the address, he said you the people at the County’s HAZMAT team, the Quincy immediately start thinking about who you firefighters were able to saturate the propane might know who lives on that street. mass with enough water —and with help from He remembers a couple of calls that hit too department the most. Mother Nature on that rainy day — to close to home. Before his dad, Owen, passed eventually dilute the gas mass so there was no away, David got called to his home twice. longer a threat of its inadvertent ignition. “As I Another was a call for a child who was not found out later, had it hit an ignition source breathing and he recognized the address given They are truly a part and blown up, it could have easily destroyed a as his daughter Candice’s home. On the way third of our town and who knows how many there, he was thinking it was a call to aid his lives.” granddaughter, but it was for the house next of my family.’ Ironically, it was Quincy’s most recent large door.