Bad day at AIRSHOW

The day started off wrong and ended wrong. WE the NW Fireballs and the NW AMA CONTROL LINE AIR SHOW TEAM "Firecats" have been asked to perform at the Hillsboro Air Show for the passed SIX years. The Blue Angles and US side by side.
I spent over three months going to meetings, showing film, making contacts, writing letters, PAYING for our tent and tables, and MAKING SURE as of the day before if everything is still OK.
As we were setting up THE HEAD CONTACT (Gary) asked what we were doing.
SO THE REST of the story!

THE Fire Marshall said AFTER WE HAD SET UP we had to move so the Fire Rescue team could respond. I said you guys were in the wrong place. He looked at his MAP and YEP I was right. After about 10 mins he came back to us and SAID "SORRY YOU'LL HAVE TO MOVE. MY TRUCKS WILL STAY HERE. I came back with WHY? All you have to do is move 50' to the North where LIFE FLIGHT IS and the first aid tent AND where you other team and trucks are. HE CAME BACK AND SAID, "I DON'T WANT TO START THE TRUCK AND MOVE IT...SO YOU'RE OUT OF HERE! Where can we go? I said. No, YOU DON'T GET IT YOU'RE OUT OF THE AIR SHOW Please leave now. I told him I would have to take down all of the fencing and that would take about an hour. NO, I MEAN NOW!! THAT was his response. SO we left the fencing up and left.
I contacted Fred, and Beth (contacts) ALL was dumbfounded and surprised. I found out from GARY who is the HEAD dude of the air show WE could of stayed and flew at the old sight. However, it's over a 1/2 walk to the food and restrooms, and they would not give us a golf cart to make that trip.
Fred (contact) told me; this was the first time the Hillsboro Fire Marshall had been used At the Air Show and was implementing his GOD-NEES not just to us but the whole air show that day.
I'll have more to this later SO I'M sorry that this happened. I hope we can make it next time. WE have to remember that WE are not the SHOW but part of the SHOW. THINGS HAPPEN. HOWEVER…

Scott(had to wash my mouth out with soap)Riese

I think you should get in touch with your local media and relate the story to them.

>I think you should get in touch with your local media and
>relate the story to them.
>
>Tom

That's in the works

Scott,

Well, there a jerk in every crowd. Looks as if you found one. Power just goes to some guys heads.

Are you coming to the Roundup?

Yep Our Sponsor pay’s $5000 per day to have us there!
YEP $5000 bucks a day....Thinks he's mad?

>Scott,
>
>Well, there a jerk in every crowd. Looks as if you found
>one. Power just goes to some guys heads.
>
>Are you coming to the Roundup?

When is it? I'm lazy and just wore out today.

Scott,

Labor Day weekend at Sandpoint NAS

Scott,

Did Gary give the authority to the Fire Marshal to evict paid up participants for asking questions? If not, sounds like you sponsor could pursue leagal recourses?

>Scott,
>
>Did Gary give the authority to the Fire Marshal to evict
>paid up participants for asking questions? If not, sounds
>like you sponsor could pursue leagal recourses?

Sounds about like the recent Mike Wallace of CBS's 60 Minutes and his encounter with a peace officer who didn't take kindly to some basic questions being asked as the officer was confronting Wallace's limo driver.

The best way to handle a Little Caesar like him is to get him some bad publicity - a letter to the local paper would be a start.

Then formal letters of complaint to everyone involved.

Be sure you mention how long you guys have been doing the show.

Good luck.

[photo not recovered: 3e69bb3870f12ad5.jpg]

"Rain on a tin roof sounds like a drum.
We're marching for freedom today-ay!
So turn on your headlights
and sound your horn,
if people get in the way." -Neil Innes

AFTER we left, The Fire Marshall asked the BAR-B-Q pit to be moved. AFTER they have started serving. He gave them 15 mins to move. GEE wood fire to put out 10 mins (with water) Two hours to move 15' Six hours to clean up all the coals that have been doused with water and re-light new coals.
By then Air Show was over. HE lost over $15,000+ of business.

I received E-MAIL today from the Chairman of the Air Show and he will represent us at a consciences meeting on Tuesday.

Scott(it's not over yet)Riese

Scott ...
Was this the same fire marshal that came to the Northwest Regionals and wanted to limit the hangar feed to 50 people -- despite the fact that when open the hangar has only three walls?
No, I know it was a different guy, but behind the scenes the Regionals hangar usage became a nightmare. The assistant deputy Albany fire marshal wanted to dictate how many people could stand in line at registration, how many square feet could be used for registration, how many could attend the hangar feed, how much space the vendors could have, etc. In an open hangar! That's why all the yellow ropes you saw.
Get this: One reason he wanted to limit everything was "in case an airplane wants to come into the hangar." Yes, after chewing up all the ropes, canopies, airplanes and parked cars to get through the contest site, an airplane might want to come into the hangar, in spite of the fact that the hangar is used by a private owner, all of whose planes were accounted for.
But one thing is for sure -- we were safe from fire!
--jt

GEE...There's Others?????

Scott: Why didn't you simply move? Couldn't you have set up someplace else? Just asking...

What was the Fire Marshall's point of view? Under his watch, did he get too lax in some earlier incident, at another venue, with unfortunate results? Could this have been weighing on his mind? Again, just wondering...

Hey, how do you get to be a fire marshal? Sounds like the job for me.

>Hey, how do you get to be a fire marshal? Sounds like the
>job for me.

Typically an elected position. You almost have to be corrupt to get the job.

>Scott: Why didn't you simply move? Couldn't you have set up
>someplace else? Just asking...
>
>What was the Fire Marshall's point of view? Under his watch,
>did he get too lax in some earlier incident, at another
>venue, with unfortunate results? Could this have been
>weighing on his mind? Again, just wondering...
>
>Currell

YES we could of moved over 1/2 mile away from everything. WITH Four People over 70 and I can't walk that far, it was out of the question. PLUS as I stated the Air Show People couldn't give us a golf cart to make it to the restrooms or food.
As far as the FIRE Marshall's point of view...YES he was concerned about safety for the crowed.
NOW they had a fire, After we left and his guy's were nowhere to be found. THE AIRFORCE fire people had to put it out. So we'll see what happens.

OH BY THE WAY I got a E-Mail today that we are welcome to come back and sorry for the mess up.

Scott

You should have grinned, showed him your press ID, and asked him for details.

Hey Scott Seems to me that you have had one problem or another every year at that stupid airshow. When are you going to get the message, my friend????

>Hey Scott Seems to me that you have had one problem or
>another every year at that stupid airshow. When are you
>going to get the message, my friend????

It's a fun event. I know you've been there and the problems in the passed. I had ALL of the IRONED out......lol
Still I like to be diapointed....lol

Scott Riese

> Get this: One reason he wanted to limit everything was
>"in case an airplane wants to come into the hangar."

Just out of curiousity, but why would an airplane wanting to use a hangar be of interest to the fire marshall? Is the plane equipped with incendiary bombs?

Well now, there you have hit upon one question that puzzled all of us.
--jt

>
>> Get this: One reason he wanted to limit everything was
>>"in case an airplane wants to come into the hangar."
>
>
> Just out of curiousity, but why would an airplane wanting
>to use a hangar be of interest to the fire marshall? Is the
>plane equipped with incendiary bombs?
>
> Brett

This reminds me of a situation I had about 10 years ago. I paid the city recreation department for a space, was given a receipt and assigned a space 3 months in advance. The day of the big event arrived and I set up early that morning and was completely set up and so was about 75% of the other people when I was then told I had to move. I ask why, the answer why didn't make sence, I didn't see any point in arguing with an idiot so I said, fine I will move. The guy left and I made no effort to move. 30 minuts later the guy was back telling me to move. I said, OK, fine, I will be out of here in a few minutes. The guy left and 30 minutes later he was back. By then the gates were open and 100's of people were everywhere. The guy went off on me and said I had 5 minutes to get out. I showed him my receipt and the paper from the recreation department that assigned me this space. He said I had to move anyway. I said, I paid for this space and I am NOT leaving. He left and returned about 10 minutes later with another person. Again I was told to move and I said NO. I said if you want to attract a lot of attention I am sure it will be in the front page of tomorrows news paper and everyone in town will remember you were the problem not me. The 2 guys looked at me then looked at each other, there was about 15 seconds of slience and then I was told that I could stay but I would never be allowed to return ever again. I didn't say a word but I was thinking, hay bud your not the one that makes the decisions on who is allowed to rent space at this event.

I believe there is a new standing directive from the (NFPA) National Fire Protection Association. The directive is for all Fire Marshalls, is says to at least act like you know what you are doing, if not fake it.

I have one question, Was this guy in on all phases of the preperation from the beginning or was this just a last minute battle field commission?

I would ask for the return of all funds and list this guys arbitrary actions for the reason.

I have not had the joy of dealing with one of these nut jobs yet.
What level of authority do they have?
Are they a cop of the fire prevention world?
Can they arrest you and put you in a fire station jail?
Are they armed?
I don’t know if I should leave the house not knowing who can legally push me around.

>I believe there is a new standing directive from the (NFPA)
>National Fire Protection Association. The directive is for
>all Fire Marshalls, is says to at least act like you know
>what you are doing, if not fake it.
>
>I have one question, Was this guy in on all phases of the
>preperation from the beginning or was this just a last
>minute battle field commission?
>
>I would ask for the return of all funds and list this guys
>arbitrary actions for the reason.
>
>Mike Clark

Mike LAST MINUTE ACT OF GOD-NESS

Scott:
The Fire Marshal is an employee of the local Fire Department/District he/she works for the Fire Chief. Find out who the Fire Chief works for City/County. That's where you send your letter of complaint. Also send a copy to the Fire Chief, Fire Marshal and also to the State Fire Marshal in Salem, OR. When I was a Fire Chief that would have got the Fire Works started.

HERE'S THE LETTER FROM THE AIR SHOW

We changed the entrance on Sunday. There was a problem with too many people coming in right through where we had planned for the U-Control circle. The FAA would have shut us down except that the police came to our rescue and pushed about 1,500 to 2,000 folks from that corner, NW toward the Chalet tents. On Sunday we had folks come through the gates (from the Fairgrounds) turn west and continue to the perimeter road. That’s the road you get on right after going through the volunteer parking gate. The crowd then followed that road up to the General Admission and Reserved sections and it was MUCH smoother.

The decision was made Saturday night (about 6:00 PM) after a long conversation with several of the folks responsible for crowd control (including logistics which is my area). We moved the antique cars, experimental planes, and could have had the U-Control circle in that area easily. I thought of calling you but figured it was too late and many of you were probably too upset to come back and fly one day. The crowd filed by that area from 9 AM to just before the Blues flew.

The way it looks now, that area is where you will be next year. You’ll be able to fly without being hassled. We’re looking into having more static planes on the south end too. That will, also, take care of some other problems we had with GA and Reserved separation. I would suggest that we add some food/beverage booths in that area for those who come down to see displays.
Again, I’m sorry for what happened and can assure you an invite next year.

You may share this with your members.
Fred

While in the Navy, stationed at NAS North Island (San Diego) CA, I had the base fire marshall come THIS CLOSE (fingers pinched tightly together) to fining my commanding officer $10,000 (personally, not his command, and yep, he can do it) because one of my guys left a gallon of LATEX (yep, water based, effective fire fighting agent) paint uncovered and unattended (while he went to lunch). Oh, he was REAL happy with me!! Anyone here ever been in hack?

Real freakshow. They're out there and have WAAAY too much power.

Then there was the time I got chased down a runway by airshow security on a golf cart. Not sure if it had anything to do with the women I kidnapped and took for a tour of the flightline on a "borrowed" golf cart...no worries though, managed to successfully blame it on a couple of air force guys. Really, would you trust a guilty looking drunken nasal radiator? Not a really sharp guy.

Personally, I doubt any complaining in the world will ever get back to this guy, nor will it prevent a similar occurrance in the future (with him). The letter from the airshow people, while nice, completely misses the point. You ran into a jerk. He could have been reasonable, but refused. And while the complaining won't affect his narrow little view of the world, hopefully it will keep him from being there next time, so at least there's a chance the next guy isn't so bad. Good luck!

Tools

Same old stuff every year. Fred apologices and says he wants the c/l flyers back and then there is nothing but inconvience and hassles. You cannot park here, can't fly there, but half clods and weeds is OK. Nope, that's no good either, the model will at some point aim straight at the crowd, can't have that--airshow rules you know!! Tsk Tsk Hot in the sun, airshow traffic, etc. Yep, sure is fun.

How many members have you gained from such an airshow?

How many have you lost?

I used to participate in Demo's every year at a local airports Octoberfest celebration. The first year folks would sit back and watch while we dropped bombs, did some simple combat, this that and the other thing. We'd have to ground ourselves whenever a plane came in, but as activities started at one time, the airport didn't really have late comers. The next couple years would have increases in people, not children, but adults who would walk right out in the circle (actually a comination of CL and RC flying) after sitting there watching us fly for 10 minutes or so, just walk right out to go somewhere else. The last year there was a couple of individuals who would land, taxi through us making sure we had to secure airplanes. Run up and shut down, walk over to the crowd, then walk back over, fire up and take off to come right back in about 5 minutes. We did very little flying. When they asked me back the next year, I told them just exactly which cheek to kiss.

Oh, they also liked to have us in as tight of a flying site as possible, usually something like 'Here's your area, you fly between that King Air and that Aerocomander, use the Piper cub over there and the Aironica on the other side as start and stopping place. Is 180 feet enough?' There would of course be close to a mile of open, un-occupied parking place up and down the runway with these or a variety of these aircraft 'Marking off' our area.

Screw it. Go enjoy the next airshow. Chances are very few people in the crowd even care you are there, and those that do show up at your regular circle anyways.

I understand there will be another air show at McMinville OR next weekend, August 20, 21,22. My lovely wife and I will be there on Friday and Sat. She wants to visit all the flower nurseries and quilting stores. I will stand by (as always).

Hi William I see you get the message!!! Exactly why I lost intrest in trying to participate in this stupid airshow. I feel better now!!!

I'd be interested in knowing who sponsors grease-covered CL fliers to the tune of $5K for an airshow at a small, regional airport. And why?

Great way to dollars for a club, I suppose. How is it done?

Dan....It's a long story. The short of it is there is Someone that puts out alot of MONEY to bring in PEOPLE. The R/C guy's, U/C guy's the Petting Zoo, the Nike Tent, so sence we are listed as VENDORS our tab is always picked up. We have been in the past the LARGEST VENDOR there. We also have been asked back before ANYONE. Also we Draw to our space about 30,000+ people per day. ALSO, this is an AMA event. So I do this because I like it...and I do promote the Hobby.

Scott(will tell you more later)Riese

Letter today from the Exec. Director of the Air Show.
SNIPETS>>>
You have every right to be upset.
You will be compencated and refunds will be mailed out within a week.
We are sorry.
You are welcome next year.

Long story short......"I'll be back"

Scott(just want to have fun)Riese

>Letter today from the Exec. Director of the Air Show.
>SNIPETS>>>
>You have every right to be upset.
>You will be compencated and refunds will be mailed out
>within a week.
>We are sorry.
>You are welcome next year.
>
>Long story short......"I'll be back"
>
>Scott(just want to have fun)Riese

What will you do different if Park Ranger Deputy Johnny Hitler Fife decides to take his one bullet out of his pocket again?

>>Letter today from the Exec. Director of the Air Show.
>>SNIPETS>>>
>>You have every right to be upset.
>>You will be compencated and refunds will be mailed out
>>within a week.
>>We are sorry.
>>You are welcome next year.
>>
>>Long story short......"I'll be back"
>>
>>Scott(just want to have fun)Riese
>
>What will you do different if Park Ranger Deputy Johnny
>Hitler Fife decides to take his one bullet out of his pocket
>again?
>
>Chris

He will not be there NEXT YEAR!
The Air Force Will do the Fire Protection next year....as they have in the past.

Scott(Park Ranger Deputy Johnny Hitler Fife is out of here)Riese