‘Walk for Air’ event set for Oct. 11 in Manson

MANSON – Manson firefighters will launch a new community tradition this fall with the “Walk for Air” event, scheduled for Oct. 11.

Doug Pinski, president of the Manson Volunteer Firefighters Association, announced that firefighters will walk 2.8 miles in full gear — weighing more than 100 pounds including face masks and air tanks — from Fire Station 52 on Wapato Lake Road to Station 5 in downtown Manson.

The walk is a symbol of the weight firefighters carry every day and the steadfast commitment they bring to those they serve.

Pinski, who has completed similar endurance walks before, said this one presents a particular challenge.

“I’ve completed 12 walks like this before, but with the terrain and the load we’ll be carrying, this one is by far the toughest,” he said. “That’s exactly why it matters.”

On Aug. 20, Pinski and Junior Firefighter Hanna Lyman, 17, suited up and completed a trial walk of the route. Lyman, a Manson High School student, is enrolled in the department’s Junior Firefighter Program, which introduces students ages 16 and older to structural and wildland firefighting. Participants respond to calls, observe operations and, when safe, assist with light duties.

Trailing the pair in a firetruck for safety were Micah Petersen and Brooks Pinski.

Lyman said the challenge was far greater than she anticipated.

“I wasn’t expecting the walk to be hard at all,” she said. “All I heard was let’s walk from 52 to 5 in all gear, and I was like great; it’ll be like a quick backpacking trip. Well, it was anything but.” 

“I struggled, and had to find something inside of me that told me to just keep going, one foot in front of the other,” she said. “When we made it to Station 5, my gear was ripped off and I nearly fell to the ground. I guzzled water in a way I never had before. Once I was back up on my feet, I was then told that that was what it was like going into a fire. Except, now that I’d been able to rest, I would turn around and go straight back into the fire.” 

“I gained a new appreciation for the firefighters after that walk, having felt the kind of physical and mental pressure they have to go through time and time again,” she said. “I’m grateful I had a chance to do it (my feet may not say the same) and I’m grateful for Doug Pinski who walked with me, for Brooks Pinski and Micah Peterson who followed us in the truck to make sure we were safe the entire time.”

Doug Pinski praised her effort.

“I believe that Hanna was physically prepared, but was not mentally aware of what this event can do to your body/mind,” he said. “This was the first time she had done anything like this. I think she did great and is eager to do this walk again.”

Details about the Oct. 11 “Walk for Air” event will be announced soon. More information about the Junior Firefighter Program is available at mansonfire.org.

Norm Manly contributed to this report.

Quinn Propst: 206-923-8706 or quinn@ward.media