http://www.gleaneronline.org/news.html?wsnID=11339&cat=12Torkelsen's UCC Fire Perspective
NOTE: Although Max Torkelsen II will soon be transitioning from president of the Upper Columbia Conference to North Pacific Union Conference president, with offices based in Ridgefield, Wash., he is currently leading out in this most recent challenge for the UCC. Following is a transcript of his unedited journal in the aftermath of the office fire.
Early Sunday morning, December 28, 2008 Bill Skidmore, office manager and human resources director of Upper Columbia Conference was notified of a security breach at the conference office. As soon as possible he drove to the office and found the ABC section of the building engulfed in flames. Local fire fighters were just arriving.
The ABC Manager is Herman Schreven. His wife Sandy is a firefighter and she was paged very early and realized the call was to the conference office. Herman and Sandy arrived approximately the same time as Bill Skidmore.
Initially, firefighters hoped to confine the fire to the ABC wing of the office. They were unable to do so and the fire spread to the entire central section of the building. Finally, the fire was stopped at the second fire wall and the west wing of the building is still standing although it too has severe smoke and water damage.
The parts of the building completely destroyed include the ABC and its entire inventory, the Youth Department, All the administrative offices, Ministerial dept., Board room, reception area, guest lobby area, all of Treasury department, the assembly room and kitchen, HR department, rest rooms.
Still standing are the Trust Services dept, Communications dept, ITS dept, the radio and television stations, Health dept, and Education dept. and Bibleinfo.com.
Fortunately, all of the computer servers have been saved unharmed, so all of the computer information including financial records have been preserved. We hope that the three “fireproof” vaults are safe and intact although as of this writing they have not yet been opened nor their contents removed.
The fire started in the roof over the ABC and is currently under investigation by fire department investigators. Firefighters were hindered in their efforts because of deep snow and limited water supply. Help was received from numerous fire districts and 20 or more fire trucks and emergency vehicles were utilized. The fire continued to burn from approximately 5:30 am through 4:30 pm.
The conference office will be closed until further notice. Options are being investigated for possible temporary locations. Ultimately major rebuilding will have to take place which will undoubtedly take a minimum of 12-18 months.
Conference office administration will be meeting December 29 to put in place short term contingency plans. The entire conference office staff will be meeting at the Spokane Valley Church on December 30, 2008 to be fully informed and organized to care for the on-going continuation of all conference functions.
As I stood for hours, watching the Upper Columbia Conference office building burn today, I was again reminded of how quickly life can change, and how much the devil wants to throw road blocks in our path as we follow the gospel commission to reach the world for Jesus Christ.
We are extremely grateful that there was no loss of life or even a serious injury in this tragic fire that destroyed most of the office building. Please pray for us as we seek adequate housing for the office staff and as we meet the challenges of continuing essential conference services under very difficult circumstances. "Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:20.
Max Torkelsen II, Upper Columbia Conference president
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Topic: Upper-Columbia Conference Headquarters burns (Read 7204 times)
