Community spirit is alive and well

The situation on 19 February 2005 was just one more rainy day in Fallbrook. We all had just gotten used to the downpours broken up by a few patches of sunshine. My partner, Manny Ortega, and I were on Senior Volunteer Patrol with Fallbrook’s Substation when we heard the sheriff’s dispatcher speak of a tornado on the ground in the Olive Hill area and that trees were down on the road. We responded and found a huge eucalyptus tree across the road at Olive Hill and Futurity Lane. We also found a Fallbrook emergency ambulance on the scene. The crew had put out some flares but was off to respond to some other emergency.

My partner and I started routing traffic around the tree, which was blocking the road. Bishop’s Tree Service pulled up and offered to start cutting and removing the tree. Another private citizen showed up with a small tractor and started to push and shove the tree to clear the road. A nearby nursery showed up with a bobcat and joined in, then more people from the nursery showed up with chainsaws and started cutting. Bishop’s Tree Service had to respond to another emergency. Mrs. Mary Mack came by with water and lunch for the Senior Volunteers. All the people using Olive Hill Road that day stopped to say, “Hello,” “Thanks,” “Good job” and “Do you need anything?” SDG&E had several units working in the area. County emergency crews did not show up, as they must have been busy elsewhere.

In the four and one-half hours we were on the scene, it was private citizens in the area who responded to the situation. No one called them — they just saw what needed to be done and did it. True community effort, spirit, work and harmony were shown that day as can only be found in Fallbrook.

The next time you see an event in our town, say to yourself, “If not me, who?” Then, take the action necessary to remedy the situation. Someone else will join in when they see you at work.

Well done, Fallbrook!

Rufus Bowers