Sustainability Champion – Bill Cawthorne, Mesa Fire and Medical Department

Fire Inspector Bill Cawthorne visits sites all over the City of Mesa to ensure that their fire safety regulations are all up to code. Some other responsibilities of a Fire Inspector are delivering information on topics such as fire safety, housekeeping, sprinkler systems, and smoke detectors, as well as researching, analyzing, and reporting on topics related to prevention programs.

Not only is Bill making sure we are all safe from fiery mishaps, he has always been personally involved with Earth-friendly practices. One of these being that he and his wife own two ecological modes of transportation: a fully-electric Nissan LEAF and what he now considers a “gas guzzling” Toyota Prius. Before purchasing the LEAF, Bill was in the process of completely overhauling his pickup truck to be electric. During the process however, his wife brilliantly suggested they use the money that would have otherwise been spent on renovations on a new vehicle that was already fully electric. I asked Bill what his favorite features of the LEAF are and said he thought it would be not buying gasoline, but his biggest praise is that it is quiet. He continued by saying, “You can hear birds singing when you go down the road; you can’t get that with a normal car”.

Bill and his LEAF have had an integral part in the implementation of the downtown Mesa charging stations. The city used his LEAF to test the new stations, Mayor Scott Smith even used the car during the grand opening of the stations, and Bill’s wife, Jan, frequently uses them to this day.

Regarding the charging procedure, Bill commented, “We never deplete the 100 mile capacity battery completely. We’ll run around 40 miles, which is about two days of commuting, and then charge it for an hour and half to two hours at night. I’ve never had range anxiety; I can’t go to Tucson without charging in between, but I can go to Glendale, Phoenix, or Scottsdale no problem”. He also added that the bookstore “Bookmans’ has had a free car charger for years”.

Besides his zero and low-emissions vehicles, Bill also generates his own electricity, enough to operate the house and his LEAF, with solar panels at his home, plants edible landscaping, collects about 7,000 gallons of rainwater a year, and he and his wife carpool to work at least 30% of the time. He commented, “I try to make my life as sustainable as possibly, reduce, reuse recycle…it’s been my mantra since 1970”.

Check out some Sustainability Savings Tips to see how your simple actions can lead to a greener future!

Fun Fact:

Bill is quite the Renaissance man. Not only is he a certified pilot and aircraft mechanic, but also a builder of amateur radios, cyclist, hiker, observer of the stars, horseback rider, and he just took up the banjo!

*Article and photo courtesy of Samantha Booher

Ladder 201A Urban Gardeners

Richard Harless and some of his fellow firefighters stationed at Fire Station 201 have gone above and beyond to participate in the community that they already so dutifully serve. Richard is a Fire Engineer who drives Ladder 201, and whose duties include overseeing the safe and efficient operations of various firefighting apparatuses in response to and at emergency scenes.

Not only are these devoted employees concerned with keeping us safe from fiery matters, they are taking a keen interest in keeping our community healthy by enlisting with the newly opened Mesa Urban Garden (MUG), located at 212 E. 1^st Ave., which is just a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from their downtown Mesa fire house. The firefighters first heard of the garden when David Crummey, the Operating Director for MUG, and avid participant in the Mesa Leadership Program, did a ride-along with them. Richard explained that they all were talking about MUG and “since many of the guys already had gardens at home, [they] decided it would be a great thing to get involved in”. Richard took on organizing the group for the garden, but they all worked on it together.

In addition to participating at MUG, Richard has been tending his own garden at home for the past few years, which he says gets better and better with each season. When I asked Richard to tell me how he thought his actions were impacting Mesa, he responded with, “Anytime we can have something that brings the community together is a good thing. The more we have community involvement, the more we take pride in our city and how it looks, which brings others into our community.”

He stressed the importance of eating foods that are in season and grown locally to improve individual’s nutrition as well as the community’s overall health. Richard also gave me some insight into the firefighters’ diet, “In an attempt to improve our health we have changed the way we eat to a low carb high fat diet consisting of mainly vegetables and an increased amount of natural fats. This is in line with new medical studies regarding health and nutrition. We are excited to have the Mesa Urban Garden to harvest fresh vegetables from for the majority of our meals at the firehouse”.

Along with tending their garden at MUG, he and others at his station often ride their bikes to and from work and save the kitchen scraps (which accumulate at the station) for composting; both for their garden at MUG and gardens at home.

*Article & photo courtesy of Samantha Booher

 

Amanda Piña, Mesa Fire Connector Program

Name:  Amanda Piña

Volunteer program:  Connectors

When did you begin volunteering?  2009

Why did you choose to volunteer?  I chose to volunteer because I love to volunteer and give a helping hand.  I started volunteering in Jr. High and pursued the Connectors later because I wanted to work with the fire department, my ultimate goal is to become a firefighter. 

What volunteer activities have you participated in?  Every shift I’m on I get to go out in our community and impact a family or individual making their day a little better no matter the crisis whether it be from a citizen assist to a house fire.  I have also helped out with CERT training participating as a patient, the Christmas toy drive every year, new Connector training, and special events that cater to the families in the community about the awareness of fire, water, and emergency situations. 

What activities have impacted you?  I would have to say simply…ALL OF THEM!  Every volunteer opportunity sheds a light in someone else’s day and mine.  A little goes a long way, it is such a rewarding feeling helping someone gain a smile and know that everything is going to be o.k.  It makes me humbled and thankful. 

Do you have a most memorable volunteer experience?  It was Father’s Day 2011 and I decided to make waffles that morning a few guys on shift were dads and I invited the guys from the station as well, however the first call of the morning was a drowning and the patient didn’t survive.  That was someone’s daughter and it was heart breaking.  On the way back it was quiet.  When we got back I made the waffles as I was going to and they said, ”Thank you, I feel much better.”  It made me feel good that they felt better.  We were able to carry on that day. 

Do you work?  I work full-time for Crescent Crown Distribution as a Lead-Set Merchandiser (Grocery Chain)

Are you a student?  If so, what are you studying?  I am a part-time student in fire science.

Is there anything else you would like to share?  I was recently awarded Service Master 3rd Quarter and Merchandiser of the Year for 2011 with Crescent Crown.  I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for my mom.  Her guidance and strength has made me head strong and heart strong.  Two of the biggest qualities that identify my character.  I have a bit of a funny bone, but it is because I like making people laugh and smile.  I know when I need to be serious and get the job done!  I am an outgoing, hard-working, goal getter, compassionate, competitive, perfectionist who loves life and one day hopes to hold a career in the fire service.

Trevyn Crosser, Mesa Fire Connector Program

Trevyn Crosser, Mesa Fire Department Connector Program volunteer

When did you begin volunteering?  November 2010

Why did you choose to volunteer?  I have a goal to become a firefighter and felt that this would be a good opportunity to give me insight to how the fire department functions.  I also have been a part of other volunteer opportunities and I enjoy giving back to the community. 

What volunteer activities have you participated in?  I have assisted in motorist assists, social service calls, on scene of fires either assisting the customer in getting necessary resources or assisting in rehabilitation sector.  I have also assisted the Mesa Fire Department in performing daily activities.  I have performed residential daycare inspections and made sure that they are safe for children to be taken care of.  I have been a part of many calls and activities that I feel have had a positive impact on the community. 

Can you share any moving moments or experiences that you have had while volunteering?  I have been a part of many experiences that have been moving.  I have been on scene of fires where I have dealt with customers that are watching their homes burn down and have lost loved ones.  It was difficult going through that experience with them, but I felt like I made this disaster a little easier by connecting them with Red Cross and other resources, which provided them with shelter, food, clothing, and other necessities that were lost in the fire.

Do you work and if so, what is your title and employer’s name?  Yes, I work full-time with PMT Ambulance as an EMT-B

Are you a student?  What are you studying and what is your career goal?  Yes, I am studying nursing and fire science.  My career goal is to be a firefighter.  I am also going to school for my nursing degree.  Ideally, I would like to work full-time as a firefighter and part-time as a nurse in the emergency room at a hospital.  I enjoy helping people when they are in a time of need.

Caitlin Puckett, Mesa Fire Connector Program

Caitlin Puckett began volunteering for the Mesa Fire Connector Program in April of 2011.  When asked why she choose to volunteer Caitlin said, “I enjoy helping out my community and also to gain insight and knowledge about the fire service.”  She has been impacted by the activities where she gets to help people on days where they really need someone to be there for them.  She shared this moment in particular, “I remember one day when all we did was give an elderly woman a ride back to her house after her friend had taken a fall and was transported to the hospital.  This woman was so nice and truly appreciated the small gesture that we did for her.  We walked her up to her apartment to make sure she got in o.k. and we stayed and talked with her for a while.  We all enjoyed each other’s company.  We made this woman feel so good just by giving her a couple minutes of our day to make sure she was alright and had everything she needed.”

Caitlin vividly recalls her first fire call as her most memorable Connector experience.  She relayed how excited she was to be called out to a fire, but a little nervous at the same time due to not knowing what to expect.  This call ended up being a large fire with several pets trapped inside.  She recalls the look on the owner’s face as the firefighters brought out each of their beloved pets.  Caitlin remembers how happy they were to know that their animals were o.k. 

 Caitlin is employed full-time as a preschool teacher at Triple R Child Care.  In addition, she is a student studying fire science and getting her degree in education.  She hopes to be employed with the fire service one day.  She enjoys playing the guitar, piano, and outdoor activities like hiking and running.

Julie Eastwood, Special Event Volunteer Program

Name:  Julie Eastwood

Volunteer Program:  Special Event volunteer

When did you begin volunteering?  January 2012

Why did you choose to volunteer?  To fulfill my obligation of stewardship. My life is busy, rich, and full of excitement.  I love my children, and try to live by example to show them how to live a faith-filled life of integrity, honesty, and accountability not only to themselves but to others. 

What volunteer activities have you participated in?  Aviation Day, Fill the Boot, Poker Run

Can you share a moving moment or experience that you have had while volunteering?  I enjoy working with the public, educating them, and being a source of knowledge.  My most memorable volunteer experience was seeing my eight and five-year-old children passing out fire department stickers to children waiting in line to get on the fire engine. 

Do you work?  Yes, I work full-time for the City of Mesa as a Human Resource Recruiter. 

What do you do in your free time?  I spend time with my children, parents, and two-year-old niece.

Chris Ottaviani, Mesa Fire Connector Program

Chris has been a Mesa Fire Connector volunteer since August of 2011.  Prior to volunteering with our department he volunteered at a hospital and wanted to volunteer in something that was more towards his future career path.  He started volunteering as a Mesa Fire Cadet and then transitioned to the Connector program.  He has found his time helping others to be rewarding.  He has particularly enjoyed participating in our annual toy drive.  Chris said, “I enjoy being involved and I love seeing the kids reactions and leaving them with a smile on their face.”  A special moment that Chris recalls is when he was transporting a little girl to the hospital to see her mother who had to be sent by ambulance to the emergency room.  “Helping to transport the little girl back to her mom left a warm feeling in my heart knowing that they could see each other that night,” said Chris. 

Chris works full-time at Banner Gateway Medical Center as a patient transporter.  His goal is to work in a fire department someday in the meantime he is gaining experience working in the hospital and by volunteering as a Connector.