Wildfire Awareness Week comes to the Inland Empire

California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. declared this week Wildfire  Awareness Week to remind the residents of California of the dangers of wildland fires.  "The conditions right now are what we should be experiencing in June," said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE Director.  Chief Pimlott was in the City of Redlands this morning with many other members of the fire service to bring the Wildfire Awareness Week message to the residents of the Inland Empire.

On hand were representatives of the Redlands Fire Department, CAL FIRE, both the San Bernardino Unit and the Riverside Unit/Riverside County Fire, San Bernardino County Fire, The U. S. Forest Service San Bernardino National Forest, California Emergency Management Agency and the California National Guard.  All the representatives were there to support the effort to remind Californians and residents of the Inland Empire of the dangers of wildland fire.

Last week we witnessed that danger up close with the several fires that burned not only in the Inland Empire but in Los Angeles and Ventura counties as well.  Chief Pimlott said "this year's dry winter has resulted in a significant increase in fire activity, in fact CAL FIRE firefighters have responded to nearly 1,100 wildfires this year, which is over 500 more for than average."

CAL FIRE Director Ken Pimlott talking about the dangers of wildfires

CAL FIRE is reminding Californians that when it comes to wildfires, remember "READY, SET, GO!" Being Ready for a wildfire starts by maintaining 100 feet of Defensible Space and hardening homes with fire resistant materials. "It's critical that residents prepare for wildfires by maintaining 100 feet of Defensible Space around all homes," said Chief Pimlott. "Most wildfires are preventable and we need residents and vacationers to be extra cautions outdoors so we can prevent wildfires from occurring in the first place."

Chief Ken Pimlott being interviewed by NPR Radio

Homeowners looking for additional information on how to prepare themselves, their families and their homes for wildfire can visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org. The site offers tips for residents to make their homes more resistant to wildfires and to ensure that their families are ready to evacuate early and safely when a wildfire strikes.

CAL FIRE Deputy Director for Legislation Caroline Godkin talking with Daniel Sanchez, District Representative for State Senator Bill Emmerson

Annual countywide training's final day

Today was the third and final day of the 27th annual San Bernardino County Training Officers Association bump and run exercises.  This year the exercises were held at the Boy Scout camp in Cedar Glen.  In fact, structure defense activities were conducted there during the fires of 2003 and 2007.  This was the first time that the exercises were held in the San Bernardino Mountains.  During the three days, approximately 175 fire personnel and 25 overhead personnel participated. 

The following departments sent at least one engine at least one day during the exercises; San Manuel Fire Department, CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit, San Bernardino County Fire, San Bernardino City Fire, Upland Fire, Colton Fire, Loma Linda Fire, Arrowbear Fire, Big Bear Fire, Rialto Fire, Rancho Cucamonga Fire, Ontario Fire, Morongo Valley Fire, Chino Fire, Running Springs Fire and the U.S. Forest Service San Bernardino National Forest.

There were also two special visitors today at the exercises. Janet Nelsen, Field Representative for 33rd District Assemblyman Tim Donnelly and Daniel Sanchez, District Representative for 23rd District State Senator Bill Emmerson.  It was great to have them visit and witness firsthand what local firefighters are doing to increase their abilities to protect the residents and property of San Bernardino County.

Rancho Cucamonga B.C. briefing her task force

San Bernardino Unit Forester Glenn Barley at MAST refresher class

San Bernardino Co. Fire Captain explaining structure triage to Janet Nelsen

Daniel Sanchez and San Bernardino Unit B.C. Jesse Estrada talking about the hose lay exercise

Retirement Celebrations

You're CAL FIRE family will miss you both dearly! 

You've worked hard to get to this point,
ENJOY RETIREMENT !!!

Day One of Wildland Training Exercises

Today was day one of three consecutive days of wildland fire training exercises also known as bump and run drills.  This is the 27th consecutive year that the San Bernardino County Training Officers Association have conducted these all agency drills.  Firefighters from throughout the San Bernardino Valley and Mountains are participating in the exercises.  Even though we witnessed a great deal of firefighting last week, these exercises are still important.  The exercises included a briefing on the Mountain Area Safety Taskforce (MAST), a fire jel demonstration, 1500 foot hoselay up the mountain side, structure triage and defense along with a fire shelter deployment. 

Morning briefing and assignments



Working together on the hose lay



discussing structure triage

Completing a structure triage card

CONGRATULATIONS DEAN !

Congratulations Dean Kowalski !!!

Battalion Chief Jesse Estrada presented Dean with his Firefighter II Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC) certificate this afternoon. What a great accomplishment and display of determination!

Firefighter Appreciation Week

CAL FIRE staff from several Units 

(as well as many other local fire cooperators) 

participated in this years Price is Right show honoring all the hard working FIREFIGHTERS.

Check it out, the show airs May 24th, 2013 on CBS Channel 2

More Info: http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_price_is_right/ 

San Bernardino Unit participants:

Firefighters’ 27th annual Wildland Training Exercises

For the 27th consecutive year, firefighters from fire departments throughout the San Bernardino valley and mountains will be participating in the San Bernardino County Fire Training Officers’ Association’s wildland training exercises. The training focuses on wildland urban interface fire operations including structure defense techniques, resource utilization, equipment deployment, structure triage, safety, communications, and tactical priorities. Additionally, the training includes a 1500 foot hose lay, shelter deployment and MAST training in a realistic 4-hour training exercise.


As we have seen in the last several days, fast moving interface fires can threaten homes and property very rapidly. This training will enhance the firefighters capability to work together to defend the residents and properties of San Bernardino County.

When faced with a wildfire, firefighters employ a technique called “bump and run”. This is where a strike team of five fire engines will enter a threatened or burning neighborhood and deploy at five consecutive homes. The fire engine backs into the driveway of a home and firefighters quickly assess their surroundings. If the home has defensible space and firefighters feel it can be defended they deploy hoses and work to push the approaching flames away from the structure. Then as the firefighters push the flames around the home to the next, they return to their engine and move to the next home furthest down the line and so on. This leapfrogging allows firefighters to protect a larger number of homes with a smaller amount of resources. The training is an important annual event and allows our local firefighters to train together in a realistic environment, sharpening their skills in preparation for the upcoming high fire hazard months of summer and fall.

There will be no live fire training at this event. The exercise will be conducted at the Forest Lawn Scout Reservation 29485 Hook Creek Road, Cedar Glen 92321 between 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 7,8, and 9, 2013.