TETON COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT - Driggs, ID

Teton County Fire District, Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Juliann

This part of the drive has been absolutely breathtaking.  The rolling green grass and crop fields are foreign to us having always lived in Arizona.  The drive today took us into Montana and back into Idaho.  Our destination...Driggs, Idaho.


Ryder, Shiloh, Juliann, Choice, and Tate

Shiloh, Choice, Juliann, Tate, and Ryder


The Teton County Fire District, comprised of structural firefighters cross-trained in wildland urban interface, members of the ambulance crew, helicopter paramedics, as well as some volunteers, hosted our family today for a visit.  We had another wonderful afternoon getting to know the great men and women who reached out to bless and serve the families of the Granite Mountain Hotshots.  The kids wasted no time familiarizing themselves with the equipment unique to this area...




Ryder, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh



Ryder, Tate, Choice, and Shiloh

Adam, who was our contact within the department, was so kind to walk around the station with us and point out interesting things while allowing the munchkins to climb all over their trucks and engines.  I chuckled when they explained that the old fire chief in their area thought the bright green color would be best for their equipment as it would surely be easier to see than red.  They followed that up with..."but, isn't that what the flashing lights are for??"



Adam, Choice, and Tate

Shiloh

Juliann, Shiloh, and Ryder

Choice

Inside their station were a couple of real fun, and different, things for the kiddos to see.  One of which was a giant sand table that they built for the purpose of wildland training.  This glorified sand box is equipped with toy army men and fire trucks so the crew can train on tactical procedures for fighting wildland fires.  I can just see these grown men and women playing with the army men in their sand box during their shift. "Training", uh huh, sure... :-)

The kids played for a long time at that sand table with Adam's son, Liam, and his beautiful wife, Erin.



Tate, Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, Juliann, Liam, and Erin

Adam, Liam, Ryder, Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Juliann

Adam, Liam, Ryder, Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Juliann

Tate, Adam, Shiloh, Ryder, and Liam

Tate, Shiloh, Choice, Ryder, and Liam

Another piece of equipment special to this district is what they call the A.R.F.  This piece of machinery is specialized for fighting aircraft fires.  Their station is located next door to the local airport, and although they haven't had to use the ARF very often, it goes out on any wildland fire where there is air attack present and stands ready.  It is parked in a hanger next to the airport, ready for a local aircraft accident.  The kids and I had never seen anything like it so they allowed us to climb in and check it out.  I'm not sure why I was surprised when Choice sounded the alarm on the ARF causing a blast of noise throughout the entire hanger and minor heart attack for me and Morghen.

Adam, Choice, Ryder, and Tate

Shiloh

Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

Tate, Ryder, Shiloh, and Choice

Tate

Tate, Ryder, Choice, and Shiloh

From there, another one of the firefighters, Jeremy, and his son, Archer, walked us over to see the helicopter they use for medical emergency calls.

Jeremy, Archer, and Ryder



Ryder, Shiloh, Choice, Tate, and Jeremy

Shiloh, Ryder, Liam, and Adam

 Ryder visited with them about how his Uncle T.J. works with helicopters as his job with the United States Army.  They sweetly and intently listened to what he had to say. That wasn't the only presentation Ryder make this afternoon.  The firefighters had a delicious barbeque lunch prepared for us.  As we sat to eat, they allowed us an opportunity to share with them a bit about the motivation for our trip.  Ryder spoke about his Daddy's Be Better Band and how this motto has helped our family.  He then passed out a band to each of the members of the Teton County Fire District who were in attendance.  While he did that, I had a chance to thank them for the way in which their assistance blessed our family during our time of need.  Tenderly, they told us of the behind the scenes efforts that went in to that donation being collectively made.



Teton County Fire District



Choice and Tate with Teton County Firefighters

Before packing up and hitting the road, we got in a little play time with the crew.  Ryder and Shiloh played football and ultimate Frisbee with Adam while Jeremy brought out new fire truck toys for both Tate and Choice to take home with them.  A huge hit!!!



Ryder, Adam, and Shiloh



Tate and Choice with Jeremy

 

Tate and Choice with Jeremy



Tate and Choice with Jeremy

This was a remarkable visit, beautiful town full of beautiful people.  Hopefully we will find our way back to Idaho in the future to pay a visit to our new friends.  Thank you to all of the members of the Teton County Fire District for blessing our lives and lifting our spirits.  Continue to do your great work providing service to your community and Spreading the Better.



Teton County Fire District, Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Juliann



Teton County Fire District, Ryder, Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Juliann