athe

at pa en eget gee = arp em,

nan Form

WORE tee Ri Bt cee

Who is...

Ray Tank?

by Betty Barton

Ray Tank is an outdoorsman, a truck driver, an organizer and the coordinator of Terrace’s Provincial Emergency Program (PEP).

Ray explained in an interview with the Terrace Review last week that his volunteer career with PEP » began more than 12 years ago in search and rescue. His in-laws were overdue from a mushroom picking trip. Despite guidelines prohibiting relatives from assisting in a search and rescue operation, Ray assisted "eight or nine fellows in an existing [search and rescue} group" to rescue his in-laws. He went on to clarify that, by today’s standards, they were a relatively inactive group, but always avail- able in an emergency.

Ray spent the following eight years with Search and Rescue. Five years ago, the City of Terrace asked him to become the area coordinator of PEP. He laughs, "It wasn’t that I was the best. But I was the most vocal." The original focus of PEP was search and res- cue. In the time since Ray volun- teered as coordinator of the pro- gram, he has promoted total emer- gency planning. "Search and Res- cue is just one of many spokes in the wheel," he notes.

Ray goes on to say that this is strictly a volunteer position, fol- lowing the guidelines of provincial administration and training. The effort began with a bylaw allowing emergency planning in the Terrace area. Then they developed resource lists and made contact with organi- zations and companies able to provide assistance or manpower in case of an emergency.

Ray and his family moved to this area in July 1970 when he was transferred to Kitimat with the Bank of Montreal. His three girls were growing up, so the family decided to settle down. They bought a house in Terrace. Ray moved on to Far West, Northland Navigation, and finally Big River Distributors, as a short-haul trac- tor-trailer driver. Because of the shifts he works, Ray can devote

more free time to the PEP pro- gram.

He says, "Everyone has their

own rewards. My biggest reward was rescuing a hunter who had fallen off.a mountain while goat hunting." Ray feels one has to be psychologically capable of dealing

with injuries, able to remain calm — |

and look at situations in the abstract. .

"My goal," says Ray, "is to iden- tify hazards and ensure the safety of local residents." Ray explains that hazard analyses are completed regularly by local agencies. He feels his job is to bring groups together and have them maintain regular contact so that each knows what the others can provide in the case of any emergency. "I’m not an alarmist, but I want to be pre- pared for any eventuality. Murphy’s Law is rampant in emer- gencies," he says.

Tank maintains this practical approach in all his endeavours. He’s a fly fisherman who ties his own flies and builds his own fish- ing rods. Over the years, he’s built at least 50. His philosophy is, "If it’s not practical, it’s not worth having.” He’s a firm believer in explaining a task and then letting

people run with it. As coordinator ~ |

of PEP or any other organization, he feels his job is to ensure that final results ate achieved.

Ray was active in Terrace Minor Softball during the years that his girls played ball and he was presi- dent of the organization for one year, again as a result of being very vocal. He jokes, "With three gitls, I practically had my own team." The girls are grown now and at college or university.. In 1988, Ray and his wife took two of their girls and three friends to the Dominican Republic for Christ- mas. "We communicated — most of the time", laughs Ray.

Ray’s personal goals include extensive travel, establishing each of his daughters in her own career field, and organizing an emergency plan that can be implemented by a cohesive group of volunteers "so my absence wouldn’t be noticed".

Until then, Ray maintains his practical outlook on life —- and PEP. He reflects, "What else are you going to do with your time at 12 o’clock in the am. when the police call?” |

Sing your way to the top of the charts

Come out to Karaoke Night and sing along with the lynies ¢ as they appear on video.

Sundays 8 - 12 midnight & Thursdays 9 p.m. - 1:00 a. m Join the chorus at George’s Pub! Northern Motor Inn, 3086 Hwy 16 E., Terrace phone 635-6375

Terrace Review — Wednesday, April3, 1991 B15

Le

Ray Tank: r m not an n alarmist, but want to be , prepared for any eventuality.

“Tolem Ford Takes the Lead |

_LEASE FOR AS LOW AS

6% on THE PLAN or 9% up to 48 months on the following:

e Festiva/Escort/Tracer @ Aerostars @ Tempo/Topaz e Ranger/Bronco I e@ Mustang/Probe e@ F-Series including ® 1-Bird/Cougar SuperCabs

ALSO AVAILABLE

8.9% Financing up to 48 months

or CASH BACK up to $1000 FIRST TIME EVER

The Ford Explorer/Bronco/Econoline/ 4992 Crown Victoria & 1992 Grand Marquis available at 9.75% on THE PLAN

DON’T FORGET TO ASK ABOUT THE PLAN THE SMART WAY TO GET A NEW CAR

TERRACE

We listen better... and act!

“PoTeM FORD

4631 KEITH AVE., TERRACE, B.C., PHONE: 635-4984 CALL TOLL FREE - 1- 800- 772-1128 asses