October 10, 1973: Newspaper Article - Menard Alt Interview
(HEADLIGHT-HERALD, Tillamook, Ore., Wed., Oct. 10, 1973)
Mammoth Nestucca fire district covers south section of Tillamook County
Eigthy-six square miles of beaches, forests, towns, and small communities; this is the Nestucca Rural Fire District and its approximately 30 yearly fires are fought by 78 volunteers.
"There is only one fire hydrant at Nestucca High School," said Mainard Alt, fire chief, purchasing agent, and a volunteer since 1949.
The water to fight the fires comes from nearby rivers or brought in by water tank trucks. The men to fight the blazes come from throughout the southern part of Tillamook County, gathering at the six fire stations located at Cloverdale, Pacific City, Beaver, Neskowin (under construction), Tierra del Mar, and Winema Camp.
Once the district included only Cloverdale, Pacific City, Woods, and Neskowin.
Today, it covers all of Tillamook County south from the Tillamook Rural Fire District (south of Tillamook City) on down to the Lincoln County border. Going east and west, the district almost runs from border to border, Alt reported.
By far the biggest district in the County, Alt believed that it is one of the biggest in the state; only a couple in Eastern Oregon rivals it, he reported.
Alt has watched over, and taken part in, the rapid, but controlled development of this fire district. The district's residents, including many volunteers, have been rewarded for this diligence by low fire insurance rates in terms of country living.
Nestucca Rural is one of the most progressive districts and this may explain in part, why it is so successful.
"I have always pushed for the volunteers," said Alt, who was responsible for the district providing insurance for all the volunteers.
Although it was not until July of this year when insurance for volunteers was made mandatory throughout the state, Nestucca Rural provided this service almost 20 years ago, Alt reported.
The volunteers seem to respond to this treatment. Already, the thirteen ambulance operaters in the district have spent 80 hours in study of emergency medical training.
"The last 10 hours were at emergency wards in hosptials in Portland," explained Alt, who added that the district's two ambulances are owned by the volunteers.
In fact, the district owns all its equipment.
"The district has no bond indebtedness, we are presently in nthe third year of a five year taxation plan," said Alt, who is the oldest acting chief in the county. One of the reasons for the efficiency of the Nestucca Rural operation is the dedication of Alt and the five-man board of directors comprised of H. L. Jones, Kenneth Lane, Glen Lyda, Don Riddekopp, and Harold Niderer.
"We're great for innovatiosn," explained Alt.
One such innovation is a wheel for wrapping the hose, so it is fed out quicker.
"We were the first on the West Coast to use this device," said Alt.
Another finding by the men is a light placed on the top of the cab of the fire trucks that can be shined where the men are working.
Once a week the men meet at their respective stations throughout the district. Sometimes they hold discussions, other times they break off into work parties.
No prospective volunteer over 18 years of age gets turned down. There are still active firemen over 65.
"It just takes a lot of work," said Alt, who added that a volunteer usually has an interest in both his community and his fellow man.
"It actually costs money to be a volunteer fireman," Alt reported.