Ranger Trail News Letter
Dec 2008
As the year 2008 comes to a close, the Oregon Rangers find that they are closer now than ever before. Perhaps it is in part due to the season and the many blessings we celebrate. Perhaps it is the companionship and friendships that have grown stronger. We have studied together to further our education in the medical field. Our Frontier Rescue EMS unit is on line now, providing services in remote areas. No small accomplishment is the ACLS certification!
We have also opened our arms to new members and bid farewell to others. We have survived attacks from those who sought to cause us harm, and found that we are stronger for the experience. Like the Scarecrow from the movie The Wizard of Oz said, “A lot of people talk even if they don’t have a brain.” Gaining respect is relevant to that learning experience too. Our community responded to the restructuring with nods of positive encouragement, as if to say, “What took you so long?” I know we have pity for those who have lost their way. Perhaps all is as it should be.
How many miles did we log providing community and forestland patrol? More than we can begin to count. Trailhead surveys and data collection put us deep in the forests. Thanks to our GPS units, we found our way home. That same data will be helpful to others as we coordinate with other trail teams in the coming year.
Closer to home, our work puts us in communication frequently with our local law enforcement people and the ranchers that support us. We appreciate their donations and their kind words of encouragement to keep up the difficult work. We have done more than patrol and email…..we educate and put together the pieces than keep our community safer. Requests to redesign some outlying community watch programs have come in and we are responding to teach them how to be more effective rather than disband. Our work is not limited to our immediate zip code. Rather, we travel where needed.
The Oregon Rangers are also set to offer medial services for events throughout the State. As a State of Oregon EMS recognized agency, we offer our services for rodeos, outdoor recreation events, fairs, and anywhere else Emergency Medical Technicians tend to work. By working for donation, and having met all the IRS requirements as a Public Charity, we save money for all parties involved. Who doesn’t love a win-win program!
The Long Tom Grange Daffodil Festival and the Fern Ridge Chamber of Commerce Carnival are but two examples of such wise choices. We had a great time working with them and hope to do more in the future.
Our 172 Cessna will be working hard for EMS agencies this year. Aircraft rescue scenarios will be provided to meet State of Oregon training requirements for all fire departments. Sponsored by the community colleges, the Rangers will be the core team that puts the learning to life in our on-going effort to save lives.
But life is not all work. Fun was ours for the taking at the Junction City / Harrisburg / Coburg light parades. Santa Doug provided us with good laughs as we shared candy to young and old and those in between.
Our gift to the Community was our theme.
So in closing, know that we as Rangers are continuing to grow, bringing safety and knowledge to our world. Continue to watch as our website is refreshed in the weeks to come. New pictures will abound reflecting where we have been and what we do.
The word INSPIRE is our focus for 2009. Watch for more as we provide leadership and promote teamwork in Oregon.
Happy New Year Everyone!
