This is disturbing:
Firefighters get rude welcome home: (headline)
by Mike Ross
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
WASILLA, Alaska -- A group of elite firefighters got a disturbing welcome home Tuesday: while they were out protecting Alaskans from wildfires, they became crime victims as well.
They're called the Pioneer Peak Hotshots, a Type I crew that's usually right in the thick of things when major wildfires break out.
But when they returned after two weeks on the fire line near Fairbanks, they faced a man-made disaster. Vandals had broken into and completely trashed their headquarters while they were gone.
"They basically went through the entire room -- there were some state computers and state equipment in here and personal computers in the foreman's office," Norm McDonald, the fire management officer, said. "They're coming back from a fire for two days of R&R -- to come back to this is a little disheartening."
The thieves also went after the firefighters' 25 personal cars. Five were stolen, two others were damaged as the thieves tried to steal them, and the rest were broken into and vandalized.
"They broke the front windshield and broke the back windshield and stole some of my stuff, stole sunglasses, speakers and tools, paintball gun," firefighter Corey Gregory said.
It's not the homecoming David Frederickson and Daniel Skriloff expected after risking their lives fighting fires.
"You know, we work our tails off for the state, and it's just a bummer that my bros have to come home to this," Frederickson said.
"They'll get what's coming to them one day," Skriloff said. "Sooner or later karma catches up or something. Yeah, it's just bad."
The thieves also broke into the firefighters' lockers -- iPods and cameras were taken, and the thieves used fire axes to hack their way into an equipment room to steal expensive pumps and chainsaws.
The Pioneer Peak Hotshots believe the vandals broke into their headquarters sometime last weekend while they were still fighting a wildfire near Fairbanks, and state troopers are determined to find out who did this.
"I would like to think that there would be some kind of public outcry," AST spokesperson Megan Peters said. "Certainly these guys were up there working hard, dealing with the forest fires, protecting other Alaskan's property, protecting the resources of Alaska, and this is what they have to come home to."
The firefighters were supposed to be enjoying a break before returning to the fire line, but instead they'll be dealing with the headaches of insurance claims.
Troopers are asking for help finding the vehicles, which are described as:
- A green 1997 Subaru with license plate EYZ384.
- A white 1992 2500 Dodge Ram pickup with plate BATCO.
- A gold 2002 Toyota Tundra pickup with plate EZB939.
- A white 2002 Ford F-250 pickup.
- A blue 2000 Ford F-250 pickup.
If you have information on the thefts you're asked to call Alaska State Troopers in the Valley at 745-2131, or
Mat-Su CrimeStoppers at 745-3333.
Here is an update:
Police get a break in firefighter vandalism case
by Rebecca Palsha
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
WASILLA, Alaska -- Police say they've made two arrests connected to the vandalism at a firefighter headquarters in the Valley over the weekend.
Alaska State Troopers say they've recovered three of the five vehicles stolen from two firefighting crews while deployed in the Interior.
On Tuesday
the Pioneer Peak Hotshots came home to find their cars and belongings stolen, and after being gone for more than two weeks, another wildfire crew -- this time the Gannette Glacier crew -- returned Wednesday to assess the damage.
Three of their vehicles were among the five stolen and almost all of them were ransacked, as was their headquarters.
But as the Gannette firefighters dealt with their disturbing news, police offered up some good news.
A routine traffic stop may have provided the first break in the case. Kenai police on Sunday stopped a Ford F-150 for speeding. The driver, 24-year-old David Fetters of Anchorage, was immediately arrested for driving with a suspended license.
The pickup was turned over to the passenger, 24-year-old William Gregory of Kenai.
On Tuesday police determined the truck was stolen after information came to light about the vandalism.
Fetters and Williams have both been charged with first-degree vehicle theft. The investigation continues, and Troopers say they will face charges of possession of stolen property.
"Five vehicles were stolen and we've recovered all but two," said Megan Peters, a spokesperson with AST. "We're still missing two pickup trucks -- one's a 2002 gold-colored Toyota pickup, and then there's a 2000 Ford F-250 that's blue that's still missing."
Sean Doody had his truck stolen, but said it was later found abandoned down the street.
"I backed up purposely -- I had my motorcycle on the bed of the truck, and I backed in purposely thinking this would be a little harder for somebody to steal my bike, but they just stole the whole truck," he said.
If you're interested in helping the fire crews, mail a check to P.O. Box 242041, Anchorage, AK 99524. Please make it out to Firefighters Local 1264 and in the memo line say "Pioneer Peak Crew Fund."
The firefighters union is having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Saturday at Fire Station 1 from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. If you can't make that officials say you can drop a check off at any station.
I'm mailing in my check to help them out. Others interested in helping their cause, please send a check. A note to them expressing the work firefighters do would be welcome.
:laugh:
... if it was a random heart attack and it happened by a fluke while he was out cutting down a bunch of hemp then that's one thing...
then I'd be very mad - so send whoever to me for proper punishment. 
