The Scary Adventure of Sage the Great Pyrenees

Sage, the Great Pyrenees, had been missing for hours when her owner found her last night, December 19th, over a cliff in the back of the family’s home.  Sage’s human, Leilani Greig, has some climbing experience and jumped into action … going over the cliff using a small utility line to rescue her beloved dog.  She reached Sage and kept her from falling the rest of the way down to rocky shore of Hood Canal, but unfortunately Leilani and Sage could not go up or down and were precariously stuck almost 200 feet above the shore.

Meanwhile … back at the fire stations of Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, a call comes out for a person who had fallen over a cliff in the 10000 Block of Warren Ave. NW, Silverdale.   Crews jumped into action and arrived to find Leilani and Sage suspended halfway down.

Firefighters quickly rigged lowering and raising rope rescue systems to access the stranded pair and bring them back up to safety.  Not all went smoothly however as halfway up the cliff Sage the Great Pyrenees had second thoughts and started to struggle.  CKFR Firefighter Marcus Oliver further secured Sage in her harness and the rescue was completed successfully.

Leilani and one very tired Sage are resting comfortably and are eternally grateful for the men and women of the fire service.  No word yet on what exactly Sage had been up to when she found herself in trouble… and we may never know.

Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue completed the rescue using 16 firefighters, including assistance from Navy Federal Fire.

Water Rescue from Hood Canal

At 1:33 pm this afternoon, Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue were alerted to a Coast Guard report of an emergency beacon one mile west of Scenic Beach State Park.

Multiple units from CKFR responded with crews from Station 56, located on Seabeck Highway, arriving first.

Firefighters and the Battalion Chief located the kayaker one mile from shore, drooped over the bow of his kayak.  Crews were able to secure a private vessel to assist with the rescue and CKFR’s Boat 51 arrived and staged at the boat launch as a backup vessel.

Working with the Coast Guard helicopter, one male patient was rescued and transported by boat back to the Misery Point boat launch where he was evaluated for minor injuries and released.

Factors contributing to this successful rescue:

  • The kayaker was wearing a life jacket
  • The kayaker carried and activated an automated emergency beacon
  • A private citizen assisted CKFR with use of their private boat
  • The quick response from the Coast Guard with their helicopter

Home Loses Second Floor

On Sunday, April 16, 2017, at 6:35 pm, Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue crews responded to a residential structure fire in the 5700 block of Eldorado Place NW, Bremerton.

Upon arrival at the single family home, crews observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the second floor at the back of the residence.  The fire was immediately upgraded to a second alarm.  The fire was knocked down in approximately 13 minutes and firefighters began extensive overhaul and salvage operations.  They were able to save many valuable items, including photographs, from the home.

There were two people home at the time.  Both were downstairs and one of them could smell something burning.  Fire was discovered in a bedroom upstairs.  The smoke alarms in the home had been disconnected.  The home suffered heavy damage to the second floor and some light water damage to the first floor.

There were no injuries.  Red Cross was called to assist the family and the County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause.

Crews from Navy Federal Fire, Bremerton Fire Department, and South Kitsap Fire and Rescue also responded.

WORKING SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES.  Have working smoke alarms in your home and a home fire escape plan. Test alarms monthly and replace your batteries twice a year if you don’t have units with a ten year lithium battery.

New Fire Commissioner Selected

Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue is pleased to introduce Dr. Guy Earle as our newest Fire Commissioner.   Dr. Earle was selected last night after an interview process conducted by the Board of Fire Commissioners for CKFR.

Dr. Earle recently retired after more than 40 years as a medical doctor, most of his career here in the Central Kitsap area.  In addition to his extensive medical knowledge, his background includes experience working with fire districts throughout Kitsap, Mason, and Jefferson Counties.

“I look forward to working with Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue,” he said as he was sworn into the position earlier today. “It’s been a few years since I’ve partnered with the fire service and I look forward to this new opportunity.”

Dr. Earle’s first meeting as Commissioner will take place on April 10th.

Barn Fire Under Investigation

On Thursday, March 16, 2017, at 9:26 am, Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue received a call in reference to a structure fire located in the 19000 block of NW Hite Center Road, Bremerton.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke and flames coming from a barn.  The structure was 50% involved.  It took crews approximately 10 minutes to get the fire under control.

There were no injuries to humans or animals.

The fire is now under investigation by the Kitsap County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Car Versus H&R Block

At approximately 11:20 this morning, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue received a call for a vehicle into a building.

On arrival firefighters observed the vehicle approximately halfway through the front of the H&R Block located at Silverdale Way and NW Myhre Road.

The driver had been alone in the car and was not injured.  There were also no injuries to the people inside H&R Block at the time.

Firefighters removed the broken glass and assisted with moving the vehicle back into the parking lot.

The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office was also called to the scene.

Fire Commissioner Stepping Down

Ten years ago, as Dave Fergus began his tenure as a Fire Commissioner for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, his vision was for CKFR to be the Fire District that others looked up to and wanted to emulate.  As he stepped down from the Board on December 31, 2016, he said he feels good that the District is well on its way.

Fergus proudly cites the fact that CKFR has weathered the worst economic downturn since the great depression, worked through significant changes in senior labor and management positions, and has replaced the better part of its fleet – even adding a ladder truck. Following a hard hit to staffing levels, they’ve successfully been built back up.

“I couldn’t be more proud of CKFR,” Fergus said, “and having had the opportunity to contribute, albeit small, in some of these monumental accomplishments.”

Fond memories include taking part in Fire Ops 101, in which he had the opportunity to climb the 100’ ladder and search for a manikin in the smoke house.  Fergus also gives thanks to the CKFR volunteers who stood by during Friday night football games at Olympic HS as his son played, and to the crews that responded when his wife rolled her van and was stranded in a ditch consumed by blackberries. “Professional to a tee, calm and deliberate, CKFR’s first responders are the best. I want to give a heartfelt thanks to all of you for what you do every day, day in and day out.”

Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue thanks Fergus for his service and invites you to join us today as we recognize him with a special presentation at 4:00 pm, during our Board Meeting, at CKFR’s Administration Building, 5300 NW Newberry Hill Road.