By Ian Dominguez
By Brenton Baum and Dan Nelson
Dennis Cunningham
FSA David Arnold performs saw work on a wildland
fire near Hinkley.
The members of Camp 6 have been busy
prepping for the rapidly approaching fire
season and are now transitioning from
winter to summer operations.
A few changes have been implemented in the camp, including
the addition of 12 new fire suppression aid (FSA) crew members,
new vehicles and a grant for needed equipment. Also, Travis Van
Hulten returns as a temporary crew supervisor, having completed his
probationary year following promotion to engineer. Finally, responding
to a few early season incidents has helped the crew prepare and to
catch a glimpse of what we might be seeing more of this summer.
In December 2015, the crew conducted interviews and physical ability tests to
applicants for the FSA I position. After an intensive process, 12 new FSAs were
brought aboard, thus creating a new crew module. Dubbed Charlie squad, this
will be known as the “fire attack” module. Now, when Alpha and Bravo squads
are out on prolonged incidents—whether in or out of county—Charlie will be
available to respond to any incidents in need of a paid rather than inmate crew.
This depth enables us to fulfill our all risk mission by always having a paid crew
on duty to fulfill County Fire’s commitments.
With the addition of Charlie squad, members of Camp 6 accepted delivery
of two brand new crew buggies from Maintainer Custom Bodies. Replicas of
our current crew buggies, the new vehicles will lessen the wear and tear on
our current rigs and will allow for a choice of reserves in the case of a vehicle
breakdown or scheduled service.
Old Cajon Crew 6-1 responded to the Helendale Fire in May.
All this activity, personnel additions and equipment purchase comes
at no small cost. To help offset the fiscal impact to the department,
the leadership at Camp 6 applied for and were successfully awarded a
grant through the San Manuel Indian Tribe to help purchase new tools
and equipment. The grant has allowed us to be better equipped and
thus accomplish more complex assignments.
In the month of March, Crew 6 responded to early morning and late
night vegetation fires in the county. On March 10, the members of
Crew 6 responded to the town of Hinkley and assisted engine crews
with a quarter acre fire in a heavy slash pile. The incident had several
resources including Dozer 2, Brush Patrol 315 and Water Tender 56. The
whole incident took about 6 hours due to heavy and intensive mop-up.
Just a few weeks later, another vegetation fire in Angelus Oaks prompted
a Cal Fire and Forest Service response. Crew 6 was the first crew on
scene and started cutting hand line through heavy fuels on Division
Zulu, eventually tying in with line constructed by Mill Creek and Big
Bear Hotshots.
Photo: Louis Penna
46
Every year Crew 6 has worked to increase its capabilities and expertise,
and in January many of the FSAs attended Low Angle Rope Rescue
(LARRO) so the crew can add a rapid extrication module support
(REMS) capability. REMS is a pre-staged rescue team assigned to a
wildland fire ready to provide firefighters a safe, effective and efficient
method of egress off the fireline in the event of injury or illness during
firefighting operations.
Fire season is right on our door step and Crew 6 will be prepared for the
incidents that may occur. We wish everyone a safe fire season.
FIREWIRE • Spring 2016
Dennis Cunningham is saluted here upon the conclusion
of his exemplary service to Local 935. However, this is not
quite goodbye. Dennis has agreed to remain on board as
the local’s treasurer for political action committee (PAC)
finances as he continues to mentor his replacement,
Engineer Steve Story.
One could argue that the backbone of Local 935’s
administrative abilities has been the work of retired fire
captain and outgoing union treasurer Dennis Cunningham.
Long responsible for managing all of 935’s financial, regulatory and reporting requirements,
Dennis is also the “go to guy” for other complicated tasks that must be done right the first time.
The anomaly of his service, however, is that he worked his last shift over a decade ago. When
Dennis retired he was asked by then president Darrel Crane to remain in the office of treasurer
because his knowledge base was invaluable to the union. He stands as the only retired union
member who still has an active administrative role.
Dennis’ fire service career began in 1973 when he was hired by the Joint Powers Authorities
of Fontana, Bloomington and Muscoy. Assigned first to Bloomington, Dennis quickly promoted
through the ranks, making engineer in 1976, captain in 1981 and battalion commander in
1990. Longing to return to a fire engine assignment, he took a voluntary demotion to captain in
1996, remaining in that rank until retiring from Station 71 on Dec. 24, 2004.
The role of union treasurer has grown in complexity and responsibility over the decades, and
Dennis has worked hard to account for the financial activities of the union, managing over
100 accounts with balances totaling over one million dollars. There are 16 separate checking
accounts alone. He must also work to comply with federal, state and local regulations. All of
this requires him dedicating an average of 20 hours a week. During busy seasons, those hours
can be doubled, and oftentimes his wife volunteers her time to assist. All of this, until the recent
purchase and establishment of the Local 935 union hall and office, has been done in Dennis’
home office. Further, there are many times you will