Moving Forward (Continued)
Every year, before the start of fire season, the two crews complete their
“Critical Training.” It is a fully immersive and physically demanding program
that simulates every aspect of life as a County Fire Hand Crew member. The
training culminates in a 36 hour incident simulation where both crews come
together as a Strike Team and put to work their training in wildland fire
behavior, fireline construction, structure defense, fire shelter deployments,
and more.
This past year the inmate hand crews provided free community chipping for
residents in our mountain communities. They also filled over 10,000 sand bags
for flooding incidents, responded to over 100 vegetation fires, assisted Colton,
Rialto, Rancho Cucamonga, and Apple Valley fire departments, responded
to over 20 rescues to hike patients out of Forest Falls, and much more. Glen
Helen Crews 15-1 and 15-2 responded to the Lake Fire and provided structure
defense near the community of Pioneertown.
Along with their regular training and responding to calls, Hand Crew members
participate in community events such as the Sheriff’s Department 10K Trail
Run (1st place), 25K 5 Lap Slap (1st place), Go Ruck 5K military transition
charity race (1st place), Memorial Day 22 mile Go Ruck “Tough” challenge and
the Ft. Irwin to Barstow 42 mile hike for the Soldiers Home charity, the Spark
of Love Toy Drive, Chili’s Tip-A-Firefighter, and the Grand Terrace Firefighters
Association Pancake Breakfast.
When the Camp first opened there were three inmate fire hand crews, for a
total of 45 inmate crew members. Since then, more crews have completed
training at the Glen Helen Camp and plans to further expand the program are
underway. Each crew has a full-time firefighter/paramedic as a crew foreman,
along with a fire suppression aid.
Inmate Hand Crews a Viable Resource
In 2013, Fire Chief Mark Hartwig and Sheriff John McMahon announced a
partnership between SBCoFire and the Sheriff’s Department – the first County
Inmate Hand Crew Program. With the inmate realignment, many of the inmates
used on fire crews by the State are now at local jails, placing the responsibility
and opportunity to provide fire crew services at a local government level.
The project work the inmate hand crews provide has saved tax payers over
$1.3 million, and these numbers are even greater with the assistance they
provide in the field during an incident. Firefighter crews can be committed to
a location for several hours. Having inmate hand crews trained for overhaul
and mop up operation allows firefighters and medic engines to quickly return
back to service.
Some of the inmate crew members have had previous training on State hand
crews, bringing with them knowl Y