Instead of walking away, Ernie helped the district keep its books in order and helped bridge community support with the needs of the department. Make no mistake, the old firefighter still misses battling blazes, even if the fires were in controlled settings. The important thing was the department kept him active with the community, said Ernie. The longtime resident is quick to add that was the norm in Cannon Beach. Most everyone gave their time for the community.
Volunteers are a different breed of people.
And there are many people in our community who have done it. Triva Haskell volunteered for the fire district for many years. That is what was special about Cannon Beach. It seemed like everybody pitched in. When Ernie moved from wearing the fire uniform to balancing the books, the City of Cannon Beach recognized his dedication and spirited volunteerism.