Fire crews spraying the training house with a high pressure stream of water. (Chad Black/ APSN.us)

Kachina Village (NAZ Today)- On November 21, 2009 the Highlands Fire District hosted a multi-agency, live fire training exercise. A number of agencies from around Northern Arizona took part in this training exercise including: Flagstaff Fire Department, Summitt Fire District, Pinewood Fire Distric, Coconino County Sheriff’s Department, and Guardian Medical Transport.

The exercise used a house in Kachina Village that was acquired by the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department as part of the Pumphouse Greenway enhancement project and funded by the Coconino Parks and Open Space Program.

Highlands Fire District, working with Coconino County obtained the opportunity to utilize the newly acquired structure for a variety of different fire training exercises. Highlands Fire District Chief Jim Pond said, “We intend to use this unique opportunity for valuable, realistic training for our Fire District as well as for the surrounding agencies. Highlands Fire District has been conducting non-fire trainings inside the structure, such as search and rescue, fire attack and suppression, horizontal ventilation and firefighter rescue drills for approximately 3 months.”

Chief Pond further stated, “While these trainings are invaluable, the prospect of live-fire training is a tremendous opportunity that we don’t want to pass up. During live-fire training, crews can practice with real-time communications, operations and tactical decisions that cannot be duplicated any other way. All of this valuable training will mean that we can provide a higher degree of service to our community.”

This training opportunity was also made possible through the efforts of the Coconino County Parks and Recreation Department, District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan, Fire Chief Jim Pond, Deputy Chief Mike Bradley, and Battalion Chief Dirch Foreman.

Fire Department honor guard and pallbearers prepare to move McNeal's casket from fire engine to burial site at Flagstaff Citizen's Cemetary. (Photo: Kyle Anderson/NAZ Today)

FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today) – By: Kyle Anderson – Friday morning’s stormy weather only reflected the mood of the Flagstaff Fire Department as firefighter Mark McNeal was remembered in a funeral service at Christ’s Church of Flagstaff. But mother nature was wise; rains almost instantly paused for the procession of fire, police and personal vehicles between service and burial.

The memorial service at Christ’s Church was well attended by friends, family and members of the community as well as fire department color and honor guards dressed in formal uniform. McNeal’s casket was transported to its final resting place at Flagstaff Citizen’s Cemetary by fire engine.

“It was a great send-off for Mark,” said Flagstaff Fire Department captain Mark Johnson. “I felt like we honored him very well.”

McNeal served as a firefighter and paramedic in the city of Flagstaff for 28 years. He is survived by two daughters, 12 and 16 years old.

McNeal struggled with a rare form of cancer for about five years before his death. All forms of treatment, including radiation therapy and a major surgery, were unsuccessful in completely removing the disease, according to Johnson. There was a period where the cancer was thought to be in remission and McNeal returned to full service, but the disease returned, and McNeal spent the last part of his career on restrictive duty.

Speakers at the service remarked on McNeal’s positive attitude and contributions to the city of Flagstaff. McNeal’s impact on the community at large was evident in the public’s response to his death.

“There’s been a lot of prayers and thoughts that have come in to the department,” said Johnson. “[We] just do appreciate people recognizing what Mark did for the city.”

Firefighters start to extinguish the blaze on Edith Drive earlier this afternoon. (Photo: Chad Black/APSN)

DONEY PARK (NAZ Today) – Flames erupted in Doney Park this afternoon when an unoccupied house caught fire around 2:35 p.m.

Summit Fire Department reported to the scene with three fire engines and eventually received additional assistance from the Flagstaff Fire Department with an extra engine and battalion chief.

The fire was contained to the attic of the residence.

“Access to the attic for this fire was definitely tough,” said Fernando Hernandez of Summit Fire. Crews accessed the attic through ventilation holes and from the roof.

Cause of the fire is currently under investigation. “It could be a number of things; electrical, gas. There are a lot of things in attics that could catch fire,” said Hernandez.

Reports say there were cats in the home at the time of the fire that have yet to be located.

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Additional photos:

Smoke rises from a roof covered with compressed air foam. (Photo: Chad Black/APSN)

A firefighter exits the main floor of the house. (Photo: Brandon Neuman/NAZ Today)

Fire crews gear up in preperation to enter the home. (Photo: Brandon Neuman/NAZ Today)