08/25/2025
“Walk for Air” Set for October 11
Doug Pinski, President of the Manson Volunteer Firefighters Association, announced the launch of a powerful new tradition: In a striking display of endurance and solidarity, Manson’s firefighters will walk 2.8 miles from Fire Station #52, located at 2010 Wapato Lake Road to Station #5 in downtown Manson, fully suited in well over 100 pounds of gear, including face masks and air tanks. The trek is more than a physical challenge; it’s a living symbol of the weight they carry every day and the steadfast commitment they bring to those they serve.
Doug added, “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. That’s exactly why it matters.”
A true leader never asks others to do what he wouldn’t do himself. That principle was on full display when I met with Doug Pinski at Fire Station #52 on August 20.
What I didn’t expect was to also meet Hanna Lyman a 17-year-old, a standout student from Manson High School and a proud participant in the Junior Firefighter Program. Designed for students aged 16 and up, the program introduces young people to the fundamentals of both structural and wildland firefighting. It’s hands-on, educational, and deeply inspiring.
Junior Firefighters like Hanna are permitted to respond to calls, observe real-time operations, and when conditions are safe, assist with light duties. It’s a remarkable opportunity for those eager to serve and learn, and Hanna’s presence was a powerful reminder that the future of our fire service is already taking shape.
At exactly 10:15 a.m., Doug Pinski and Hanna Lyman suited up in full firefighting gear and set off on their 2.8-mile journey to Station #5. Every step was a testament to strength and determination, especially with over 100 pounds of equipment weighing them down. Trailing behind for safety were Micah Petersen and Brooks Pinski, driving a Manson firetruck and keeping a watchful eye on the pair as they made their way through town.
I checked in with them a couple of times along the route, and later met them at Station #5. Hanna, though determined, was visibly spent, her exhaustion a reflection of just how demanding the walk had been. As Doug peeled off his gear, sweat poured down, a raw reminder of the physical toll and the deep commitment behind every mile.
In a post event interview Hanna shared, “I wasn’t expecting the walk to be hard at all. 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. 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. 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.
I asked Doug, still dripping in sweat, how did Hanna do? “I believe that Hanna was physically prepared, but was not mentally aware of what this event can do to your body/mind. This was the first time she had done anything like this. I think she did great and is eager to do this walk again.”
Mark Your Calendar! Exciting details about the upcoming Walk for Air event happening October 11, will be shared soon. In the meantime, explore the inspiring Junior Firefighter Program and more by visiting www.mansonfire.org.
By Norm Manly
Community Volunteer
