Dolores Fire department along with many other surrounding fire departments from Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico attended the 76th Anniversary of the Tri-State Fireman's Association conference and competition Aug. 1 through 3.

We began our day attending a very beautiful and touching memorial service at the park in Cortez in honor of those who have served and have passed. The setting was lovely. There was a ladder truck with a massive American Flag placed at half mass on the ladder, hot air balloons lifting off the ground nearby. The ceremony could not have been done any better. It truly was an honor to be there.

After the memorial was over, before our classes began, seven of our department members including myself decided to treat ourselves to breakfast out. Just an ordinary event you would think. We had been seated, our order taken, many cups of coffee consumed and a photo taken to remember the day. Very shortly after our food arrived, a frightened call for help came from the table near to ours.

"He's choking... please help"!

Without thinking or discussing, our department members calmly go to the man, confirm he is indeed choking and one of our fireman and first responders wraps his arms around the seated gentleman, and begins to perform the Heimlich maneuver. After several attempts, the object is expelled and the gentleman is once again breathing.

In a matter of moments, not only the day, but the individual performing the life saving technique went from ordinary to extraordinary. The countless hours of training and response, to our everyday emergencies for EMS and Fire, this may be an ordinary day..

This is what we do.. and yet in a single possible life changing moment, this moment will be engraved in my mind forever and I'm sure the mind of the sweet gentleman who choked, and his wonderful family. On behalf of the Dolores Fire Department I would like to bring recognition to Frank Lopez for his wonderful act of duty and also the rest of the crew for their help. That was a day that truly turns from ordinary to extraordinary.

During the Tri-State competition, which indeed was a lot of fun, I might add, I am proud to announce our Department took First Place in the 5-man event, and Second Place in the 4-man event. On the last evening, a banquet was held at the American Legion building in Cortez, and awards were given, food was consumed and dancing topped of the night. It's wonderful to see so many people coming together as a family. So many people committed to doing the same thing. Helping others. We all look forward to next year's events.

As of July 28 to September 8, Dolores Fire Department has responded to the following: 23 EMS, 6 fire related, and 3 training's.

Things to remember as the weather begins to cool off, please take the time to clean out chimneys in your homes before using them and always extinguish all campfires for those lucky enough to be enjoying them.