[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 23, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9271-S9272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HEROES OF THE OREGON TRAIL FIRE

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, on August 25, 2008, Idahoans 
residing on the Boise bench in the area of the Oregon Trail and 
Columbia Village subdivisions experienced immense devastation caused by 
a brush fire that became a residential nightmare. With the combination 
of 50 m.p.h. winds, dry sage brush, high heat, sloped terrain and homes 
with cedar shake shingles and wooden decks, a small grassfire exploded, 
claiming the life of one woman, destroying 10 homes and causing 
extensive damage to nine others. Mary Ellen Ryder, a professor at Boise 
State University, beloved wife of Peter Ryder and a friend to the 
community, was the single fatality. My thoughts and prayers and those 
of many Idahoans are with the Ryder family.
  Although the fire caused great devastation, many lives and homes were 
saved because of the efforts of several courageous Idahoans. I would 
like to formally recognize one homeowner, two Boise police officers, 
one firefighter and one local humanitarian. Without their selfless 
service and personal sacrifices of physical safety, expense and time 
away from families and careers, the outcome and aftermath of the fire 
would have been much harder to endure. Thanks to homeowner Kent

[[Page S9272]]

Hallamore, a survivor of the fire, my office gained key insight into 
the contributions of these five citizens.
  The first Idahoan I would like to acknowledge is Rod Poe. When the 
fire reached Rod's subdivision, he quickly alerted neighbors and 
evacuated the surrounding homes. Even before emergency assistance 
arrived, Rod was hosing down houses within the fire's path and putting 
out new blazes as they emerged. He stayed on the scene for the entire 
night and for many subsequent evenings inspecting the area for hot 
spots and patrolling for looters. His leadership in the community 
extended beyond physical service. He comforted the suffering, acquired 
household goods for those who had none, and contacted Boise's mayor to 
discuss future fire prevention solutions for the bench area.
  Like Poe, officers Jason Rose and Chris Davis of the Boise Police 
Department were among the first to begin working at the location of the 
fire. These two men ran door-to-door urging residents to leave their 
homes. As homes ignited, the inferno-like conditions worsened and took 
their toll on the men. Their clothing caught fire; their vision 
blurred; and both suffered from smoke inhalation. Yet they faced these 
risks with valor, persisted in their duties and saved the lives of many 
residents.
  Firefighter Charlie Ruffing is the sole coordinator of the 
Firefighters Burn-out Fund, a collection fund for the immediate needs 
of fire victims. In the aftermath of the Oregon Trail Fire, Ruffing 
responded on his personal cell phone around the clock. He worked 
diligently to collect cash and household goods and distribute them. To 
date, he has collected over $110,000 in cash and gift-card donations. 
He displayed tremendous compassion and individual care for each family 
he assisted. He exceeded his responsibilities and earned the trust and 
respect of those he sought to assist.
  Finally, Pattie Wagstaff organized an assistance network and 
coordinated a community donation event which amassed even more personal 
and household goods than the fire victims needed. Since the coordinator 
of her church's disaster relief program was among the victims of the 
fire, Wagstaff heroically filled the void. Taking 2 weeks off from her 
job to help in the relief efforts, Wagstaff quickly came to play an 
integral part in helping the affected families begin to return to 
normal life. Her presence inspired many during times of great shock and 
emotional upheaval.
  Many hands played valuable roles in quelling the flames and caring 
for the people who survived the Oregon Trail Fire. To these five 
individuals and members of the Boise Police and Fire Departments as 
well as the others who so selflessly served their community, I join 
with family, friends and neighbors to offer my sincere 
gratitude.

                          ____________________