NorCal Kayak Anglers

General => Pay It Forward => Topic started by: pinseeker_11 on October 20, 2017, 09:45:50 PM

Title: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!UPDATE
Post by: pinseeker_11 on October 20, 2017, 09:45:50 PM
I don't know why I am still suprised at how much love and support comes from this group!! I have seen it many times but I have never experienced it first hand.
So the night of the Cascade fire, I was on duty. Station 1A Captain. I get a call from the Captain at station 3, he is going home because his house is on fire! He told me I should let my wife know just in case. We live quite a ways away but the wind was BLOWING. I called my house 11 times!!! My wife finally answered the phone. The power went out 10 seconds later! She called me back on her cell phone. I told her Matts house was burning down and to please keep an eye out. She went outside and said it was all clear she couldn't see anything. I asked her to please stay awake and keep checking. She called me 30 mins later and said that she could see a HUGE column of smoke. I told her to wake up the kids and get the photos and some clothes. She called me back 5-10 mins later. She said all she could see was a wall of fire coming down the hill! I told her to get the kids and get out. She stopped at our 80 something year old neighbors and pounded on the door. they finally woke up! My wife and oldest son told them to get out. They saved the neighbors lives. I got a text from my wife saying they made it out. She said they barely made it with fire on both sides of the road and power lines dropping. I stayed at work knowing that we would be sending an engine out any minute. I got a call from the neighbor. She said my house was on fire! I told the battalion Chief I had to go now. I drove 100mph to my house. I barely made it to my house. My 5th wheel was ripping along with all my neighbors houses but my house was fine!! This was approximately 0130. I grabbed a few things and stayed to defend my house. I watered down my deck with irrigation water and checked around the house multiple times. I stopped the fire from my neighbors to the norths house. My house was fine! At 0430 I left because the power lines were coming down and I didn't want to get stuck in my road. I got the where my family was staying and told my wife, we lost our trailer but our house is OK. At 0700 I drive back down to my house. I had to use my badge to get past the road blocks but I got in. I pulled up to find 5 CalFire engines in my driveway and my house burning! They knew it was my house and tried everything they could. It was to far involved. I had them cut my garage door open so I could empty my gun safe. They left and I watched my house burn to the ground. I have been a Firefighter for 15 years, I have watched 100's pf house burn. The feeling of watching your house burn to the ground is indescribable! I made the hardest phone call I have ever made to tell my wife and kids I was WRONG the house was burning. I watched 15 years off marriage, kids, military career, and life burn to the ground.
Fast forward a few days and I got a call from my uncle(snapper head) Bill Johnson saying NCKA wanted to help out! I can't say it enough but THANK YOU all!!! Its going to be a long road but we will make it. The donation really helped to get back on track for daily routines and school!! My family is VERY grateful! Again Thank you thank you thank you!!! This group is unbelievable! I am proud to be a member! I may not know all of you very well but you ALL helped my family in a time of need!! Thank you guys so much, we love you all!!!


Chris
Title: Re: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!
Post by: polepole on October 23, 2017, 07:13:13 PM
OMG Chris!  We’re still here to help.  If you need anything, reach out.

-Allen
Title: Re: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!
Post by: Sin Coast on October 23, 2017, 08:37:50 PM
Damn near made me cry there, Chris. Thank you for sharing your story. Proud to be part of this community.
Title: Re: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!
Post by: yakyakyak on October 23, 2017, 08:53:01 PM

Glad to hear your family made it out safe!  It's a marathon, please shout out if you need further help, I'll be glad to help and I am sure others would too, we can't thank you enough for your service to the country and community.  Just ask and don't hesitate.



Title: Re: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!
Post by: VK on October 24, 2017, 05:16:23 AM
Glad you and your family are safe ..Ski pro Jerry has some excellent info for those that have suffered a loss

Hang in there !!!
Title: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!
Post by: DG on October 24, 2017, 05:26:57 AM
Glad your family is safe.  ItÂ’s going to be a hard road with moments where you flash back to all those things that are unimaginable.  It was always easier to turn off the emotions and do the job that was needed to be done.  Most first responders canÂ’t do that when their families lives are affected nor should they try. 

Hang in there, you are not alone.  I am glad the NCKA community could help.
Title: Re: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!
Post by: snapperhead on October 24, 2017, 05:53:45 AM
I have heard this story a few, but still happy I read it before the rest of the crew got in this morning. The NCKA family is unbelievably supportive and giving :smt008.
Title: Re: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!
Post by: BigJim on October 24, 2017, 09:00:30 AM
Wow....

 :smt010 :smt010

So sorry that you guys have to go through this Chris...

I'm really glad that PIF/NCKA was able to help out a little and get you some cash as quick as possible.

Please keep us posted about what you need and what we can do to help...we are here for you.

Sincerely,

Jim
Title: Re: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!
Post by: pinseeker_11 on October 31, 2017, 11:56:35 AM
Thanks everyone for the kind words!!! Again I cant say it enough THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! My family and I really appreciate it. I have been asked by a lot of guys for an update. Here it is. Our insurance delivered a trailer to the property to live in while we re build. We have some amazing friends with serious equipment so we have cleaned up the property and are waiting on the drawings and the county. Here are some pics so show the progress. The family is good. The trailer is a little tight but we are making work. We all look forward to getting back into the house. My wife is a CHAMP, I couldn't do it all without her. We are gonna try to knock it out as quickly as possible and try to getaway when needed. Its a balance we will have to find :smt044. Again thank you all for the messages and support! It has really helped keep us going!!! Hopefully we will see everyone at an event soon!!

Chris
Title: Re: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!
Post by: BigJim on October 31, 2017, 12:19:49 PM
Thanks everyone for the kind words!!! Again I cant say it enough THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! My family and I really appreciate it. I have been asked by a lot of guys for an update. Here it is. Our insurance delivered a trailer to the property to live in while we re build. We have some amazing friends with serious equipment so we have cleaned up the property and are waiting on the drawings and the county. Here are some pics so show the progress. The family is good. The trailer is a little tight but we are making work. We all look forward to getting back into the house. My wife is a CHAMP, I couldn't do it all without her. We are gonna try to knock it out as quickly as possible and try to getaway when needed. Its a balance we will have to find :smt044. Again thank you all for the messages and support! It has really helped keep us going!!! Hopefully we will see everyone at an event soon!!

Chris

Glad to hear you and the fam are doing well and making the best of the situation!!!

Hang in there and keep us posted with what else we can do to help!!

 :smt006

Sincerely,

Jim
Title: Re: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!UPDATE
Post by: DG on October 31, 2017, 03:57:57 PM
Wow the insurance co is moving fast.  So glad to see that. 


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Title: Re: Cascade Fire.....Thank you!!UPDATE
Post by: Tote on November 01, 2017, 06:18:05 PM
I've seen that much progress take literally years in other places.
You are knocking it out in record time!
You'll have brand new digs in no time at this rate!