Letter: Thank you Tillamook County fire fighters

My husband and I have been mired during the winter in insurance requirements after our shop burned to the ground last summer. At the first sight of flames we dialed 911. Tim Carpenter, the Chief then, was there so fast you would think he lived next door, and the Netarts-Oceanside fire crew followed almost immediately thereafter. They were efficient and incredibly well trained. We live in a wooded area. Our property houses a forest with some old growth trees among other huge ones. Tillamook firemen arrived also and Garabaldi had a drone overhead. The flames were huge. These fantastic men and women kept the fire becoming a forest fire, saved our home and, thankfully, kept it from spreading to our neighbors property. My husband lost his tools from decades long work as a millwright and electrician, his tractor and riding mower, compressor, etc. I am an artist and lost six large paintings, a number of frames, all my accumulated Christmas decorations including ornaments made by my children and grandchildren. All the paraphernalia from my childrens early years through high school. But thanks to our fire department we did not lose our house, which stood only 50 feet away. The crew also worked after the fact sorting the debris enough to be sure they missed nothing and left a huge hose in case of further flames igniting overnight. None did. They were truly amazing.

I can never thank them all enough. A stellar department of brave and thorough members. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Laura Collins

Tillamook