DIVISION 3
LABOR REP: NICK LANDRY
DAN MUNSEY DIVISION CHIEF
Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Huber deploys a preconnected hoseline during VEIS training.
BY RYAN VACCARO
As we begin the new year, the firefighters across
Division 3 remain busy. With the temperatures falling,
fires have increased significantly across the high
desert. In fact Divisions 3 and 2 combined had 13
working structure fires in one recent week. Of particular
concern are the continued Mojave River-bottom
fires, often started in homeless encampments. These
incidents are becoming a daily occurrence and a yearround challenge to working in Division 3; fortunately,
quick responses have kept most of these fires small,
but many still proved difficult due to accessibility
issues and freezing temperatures.
TRAINING
RIVER RESCUE DRILLS TAKE PLACE IN
MIGHTY MOJAVE
On November 4, Divisions 3 and 2 held river and flood rescue
training exercise in the Mojave river bottom area near Victorville. San
Bernardino County Sheriff’s Aviation and Dive Team Unit, along with
Apple Valley Fire Rescue, also participated in the drill.
VEIS DRILLS
Meantime, Division 3 completed training on the new firefighting
operational guidelines known as “VEIS/SLICERS,” all while
continuing to prep for the anticipated El Niño-induced storms
and related incidents.
SILVER LAKES FIRE INJURES TWO
311’s crew arrived first to find a fully-engulfed building to the rear of
fire, preventing spread to adjacent properties. However, during overhaul
from Division 2 responded to a residential structure fire in the community of
operations firefighters discovered a deceased burn victim.
PUBLIC EVENTS AND AWARENESS
minimal extension to one bedroom and a laundry room. A deputy sheriff was
EL NIÑO PREP
treated for smoke inhalation, and one burn victim was flown by Mercy Air to
With the strongest-ever El Niño predicted this year, Division 3 continues to
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.
make ready, holding numerous preparatory meetings and broadcasting
OLD TOWN FIRE CLAIMS ONE
sand bags and provide flood preparation information to citizens. Although
storms have had minimal impact so far this season, experts encourage
area of Victorville. Returning from a half-acre river bottom fire, Brush Engine
citizens to not let their guard down to what’s coming.
FIREWIRE • Winter 2016
During the last quarter, Division 3 members participated in numerous
entry through a second story window, isolating the room from fire
holiday activities, such as the Victorville Christmas parade, Victorville
exposure and checking for victims. Captains were able to practice
tree lighting, Spark of Love and numerous other community events.
and use new size-up techniques along with detailed coordinated
Although most of the men and women of Division 3 spent their holidays
attacks. The training started as a classroom setting at fire station 311,
serving the community, they stood tall and with smiles on their faces.
safety tips via social media. Meanwhile, all stations continue to distribute
On January 2, crews responded to a residential structure fire in the Old Town
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firefighting techniques. New tactics involved placing ladders to make
Firefighter/Paramedic Matt Warren forces entry through a simulated
window during VEIS training.
Photo: Steve Brittain
type conditions in the residence, crews were able to confine the fire with
training as County Fire transitions to newer and advanced techniques.
Airport, which provided a large abandoned commercial apartment
Silver Lakes. Arriving to heavy smoke and fire from the attached garage of a
deputies had already pulled a burn victim from the home. Despite “hoarder”
Division 3 kicked off its Vent/Enter/Isolate/Search (VEIS) fire
then transitioned to a field exercise at Southern California Logistics
the property. Firefighters were able to make a quick knock down on the
On November 6, Station 4 companies along with Victorville units and others
two-story house, Company 4 was advised that San Bernardino County Sheriff
building for the drill. Each division will eventually go through this kind of
operations training, with all three shifts learning emerging structural
VEIS training recently completed in Division 3
INCIDENTS
Led by Captain Josh Sprague and Firefighter/Paramedic Nick Landry,
Winter 2016 • FIREWIRE
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