For the second time here in the Brookings area, it has been reported that fire equipment has been stolen from engines assigned to the Chetco Bar Fire.
After speaking directly with Terry Ney, Fire Chief for the Lane Fire Authority, he informed the Wild Coast Compass that two engines had equipment stolen from them while stationed at one of the fire camps. Chief Ney believed, but was uncertain at the time, that the engines were at the Brookings-Harbor Fire Camp after arriving in the Brookings area late Friday evening September 1st. Brookings Operations Fire Chief Jim Watson was unavailable at the time for comment regarding where the Lane Fire Authority and Coburg Engines were stationed.
Less than 24 hours after the new task force arrived to help with the Chetco Bar Fire, Lane County and Coburg firefighters reported their trucks had been broken into and protective gear such as turnout jackets, pants, tools, protective equipment, and other gear including personal medical supplies were missing when they got up before sunrise Saturday morning September 2nd.
While speaking with us, Chief Ney was assembling and coordinating a crew to drive the five and a half to six hours to get the equipment for the crews replaced.
This is the second known time that Firefighters have reported items being removed or stolen from their engines. Last weekend a Fire Crew reported items “removed” from their engine while dining at a local restaurant. The items were later anonymously returned.
Anyone who has information regarding this issue is encouraged to call the Brookings Police department at 541-469-3118, or the Curry County Sheriff’s office at 541-469-3132.