After 30 years, Jeff Carnes still responds to emergencies caused by placing fireplace ashes in paper bags. It is one of the few fire-related incidents that has been so consistent for so many decades.
The unpredictable nature of fire emergencies is made steady by the Sun Valley fire chief's dedication to Sun Valley. On Monday, June 12, city officials surprised the fire chief and his wife, Tina, by declaring the day "Jeff and Tina Carnes Day." The honor coincided with the Jeff Carnes' 30-year anniversary as the Sun Valley fire chief.
"I thought I would move here and take it easy, which was the exact opposite of what happened," the chief said. He moved to Sun Valley in 1967 with his family. His family frequented Sun Valley, even celebrating his first birthday in the area. He left Sun Valley briefly for school and to work as a piano mover. He then returned. Tina, a longtime friend, followed soon after.
Jeff found work welding for Sun Valley Resort and the couple sold ice cream at the Treat Haus in Elkhorn Village. In the evenings, they often went water skiing at Magic Reservoir. While he was enjoying the heyday of Elkhorn Village, especially on Sundays when free booze and food was offered, the Sun Valley Fire Department approached Jeff about work.
"They wanted someone who lived in Elkhorn. I was the only person (available) living in Elkhorn," he said. First reluctant, he later accepted a job with the department.
"I jumped into it with both feet because it was exciting work," he said.
Tina joined Jeff on the Fire Department in 1976, becoming one of the first female firefighters in Idaho. That same year, Jeff was named Sun Valley's fire chief. "They liked my management style, which is nothing more than picking the right people to do he right job," he said.
During the 1970s, Carnes was the youngest fire chief in the state of Idaho. He insisted on progressive safety precautions that have now become standards, like wearing breathing apparatuses. Throughout his tenure, Jeff has made safety the highest priority. Under his leadership, the Fire Department has never suffered a severe injury or a death.
"I will never ask anybody to do something I won't do," he said.
With safety remaining a consistent priority, Carnes has seen the fire industry change dramatically. These days, firefighters tend to fight chemical fires, due to the increased use of synthetic building materials. "Now it is extremely dangerous inside," he said. The chemical fires are much less forgiving and burn hotter than fires in the past.
Thanks to technology, Sun Valley has experienced a reduction in large fires and fewer chimney fires due to advances in monitored fire systems. And, Carnes deserves credit for his part in fire suppression innovations. When called to one of the nation's wildfires, helping to save Yellowstone National Park in 1988, Carnes was introduced to an effective fire suppression mechanism.
Commonly known as compressed air foam, it is a mixture of Dawn dishwashing liquid, water and air. During the wildfire, he saw the potential for compressed air foam. He teamed with the inventor of the foam and an Oregon-based professor to employ the substance for structural protection.
The foam sticks to and penetrates structures, proving more effective than water in preventing and suppressing fire. The mixture also eliminates the need for large amounts of water and results in less water damage. In 1989, Sun Valley became the first municipal fire department to use compressed air foam. These days it is an effective tool employed by fire departments throughout the country.
More recently, Carnes encouraged Sun Valley to adopt citywide roofing requirements to reduce the risk of a catastrophic fire caused by the spread of flames.
Carnes' tireless fire management comes with Tina's help. After taking a break to raise the couple's sons, Nick and Chris, she recently rejoined the department. Three decades later, the Carneses continue to ensure safety for all of Sun Valley.
Sun Valley Fire Chief Jeff Carnes and his wife, Tina, celebrate ?Jeff and Tina Carnes Day.? The city of Sun Valley honored the couple this week for their tireless public service. Photo by Willy Cook
