From: Brad Eells [mailto:highpointlookout@yahoo.com]
New volunteer training: OK Gang…here is your chance to become the Smoke Detector you always wanted to be…the few, the proud…the FFLA Fire Lookout Volunteer! A few things to consider before jumping in:
1. You must have a vehicle you don’t mind getting dirty because you will be driving a 3 ½ mile dirt road from USFS Palomar Station to High Point Lookout. Honda and Ford coupes have made it up to High Point but high clearance vehicles are best.
2. When you arrive you will find a 67 foot tower that you must be willing to ascend…and descend.
3. The lookout has no running water, air conditioning, heating or cooking stove…we do have a DC powered coffee maker. You will be camping out for the day or overnight as the ultimate perk of the lookout volunteer program.
4. You do get to operate a Forest Service radio, an Osborne Fire-Finder, a weather kit and a handy pair of vintage binoculars…what could possibly be more fun!
5. You will need to join FFLA, purchase uniform components and a program manual. These expenses along with mileage are potentially tax-deductible.
6. You must attend all training sessions (2 classroom days and 1 in-tower day) and serve 1 shift (day) per month to remain qualified for the program.
New Volunteer training dates: Saturday, May 8th – 9 AM-4 PM Orientation – Interpretation – History Saturday, May 15th – 9 AM-4 PM
Tower Operations Training location: All training sessions will be held at: Cleveland National Forest Palomar Ranger District Training Room 1634 Black Canyon Road Ramona CA 92065 The facility is located just northeast of Ramona off Hwy 78/Julian Road…Google it!
Please RSVP if you will be attending this training. Bring a lunch and your favorite writing utensils. You are welcome to forward this information to anyone who may be interested in joining up. Anyone who partially completed training last year may attend these sessions as well.
Speaking of help: Thank you for your patience in my getting this communication to you. We are all doing more with less it seems these days. My work commitments have become extreme at times and we do need some help to move our growing organization forward. I would like to have you consider helping as a Tower Leader or Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Training Coordinator, Newsletter, Tower or Classroom Trainer, etc. Please feel free to jump in and say, “I’ll do that!”
Here’s to an even more successful 2010!
Regards, Brad Eells,
National Secretary – Chapter Chairman Forest Fire Lookout Association, Inc. San Diego – Riverside Chapter
highpointlookout@yahoo.com
secretary@firelookout.org
www.socalfirelookouts.org
www.ffla.org
661-747-5517 See also https://palomarmountainnews.wordpress.com/2010/04/30/high-point-and-boucher-lookout-updates/
The Mountain Church is moving to the Observatory Rec Hall. Come join us there for coffee and goodies at 9:30 or so. The church service starts at 10 am. Everyone is welcome and it’s ‘mountain casual’. 
