Local fire crews depart for shuttle recovery

GFP Fire Services, headquartered in Sisters, has deployed three 20-member crews to aid in the recovery of space shuttle parts in eastern Texas, following the explosion of the Challenger.

The location is roughly 150 miles northeast of Houston, where the teams will work an area of approximately 300 square miles. Much like a fire fighting camp, the base facility provides showers, meals and laundry services under private contracts to the federal government.

It is estimated that more than 1,000 troops are involved in the effort, of which there are 44 crews under private contract.

Don Pollard, GFP President, reported that the first two of his crews that left from Eugene on Friday, March 28, are pack-tested and have recently completed the mandatory refresher training.

They are disaster-ready and could be available to serve on fire crews should the need arise before their expected return date of May 1.

Doug Gannon, Chief of Operations, and Brett Miller, Crew Superintendent and Level II Instructor, joined Pollard in expressing the sense of commitment and purpose held by those deployed.

"This is a part of history," Miller said, "and the scope is a different one from that to which we are usually called."

All three agreed that this particular mission is an honor and there is a need to do their part, to make a contribution.

"This involved a sense of patriotism," Pollard said.