By Ian Dominguez
EVWD PARTNERS WITH
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Between the transition, the crews assisted with the wildland
training component for the cadets of Tower 6, consisting of both
classroom and field sessions. After training the cadets, Camp 6
crews worked on various fuel reduction projects in the mountains
and conducted employment interviews and physical ability test for
upcoming prospects of fire suppression aides (FSAs).
As stated, transition for Camp 6’s winter operations included combining both
crews. The county and camp overhead have decided to combine “Old Cajon,”
or Crew 6-1, and “Las Flores,” or Crew 6-2, into one unit. The reconfigured Old
Cajon Crew 6 now operates with two squads, Alpha and Bravo, with each squad
comprising 11 members, including two FSA IIIs, three FSA II’s and six FSA Is.
Placing Alpha and Bravo squads in separate crew buggies makes the crew
versatile and flexible enough to respond to different ongoing incidents if needed.
Recently, a grant was awarded to Camp 6 to perform various fuel reductions in
the mountains, and the crews have worked vigorously to complete these projects
before the impacts of El Niño came rolling in. Crew 6 successfully completed
a project in Forest Falls, totaling 25 acres of fuels and hazard reduction, and
are also in the process of completing 20 acres in Angeles Oaks. Crew 6 also
abated approximately 200 parcels in the mountains and valleys in conjunction
with San Bernardino County Land Use Services. Members of Crew 6 also assisted
a property owner in Forest Falls with creating demonstration showing community
members how to create a defensible space on their own properties.
Foremen James Salazar and Curtis Malloy had a special opportunity in
November to attend an advance tree faller class in Etna, Calif. The class
gave them insight into how to properly manage hazardous trees that a highly
qualified sawyer might turn down due to the complexity and hazard factors of
the tree. Furthermore, the class gave both foremen the ability to be certified
faller instructors for the crew and the department, thus increasing the
capabilities of not just the crew but for County Fire as well. In addition, Old
Cajon Squad Boss Jarrod Dowden was awarded the department’s Exceptional
Service Award for spearheading the “Lytle Creek Defensible Space Project/
Grant.”
In December, Camp 6 accepted delivery of a 2015 Ford F-450 four-wheel
drive Type 6 brush patrol. BP6 has a water capacity of 300 gallons and is
able to support crew operations on small vegetation fires. Having the ability
to being self-sufficient on such fires allows incident commanders to release
other valuable County Fire resources and have them be readily available for
additional incidents.
During the holiday season, Crew 6 operated Station 23’s annual Christmas
Tree lot, with proceeds going to the crew’s equipment and training fund.
Thanks to the residents who live in and around the City of Grand Terrance, the
tree lot was a big success. The community was eager to meet and greet the
members of Camp 6 and were interested in the primary mission of the crew.
The projected record breaking El Niño, has the crew training to be prepared
for the upcoming storms this winter. From sand bagging to supporting major
flooding and swift water rescue incidents, the crew is ready to respond to any
rain-related calamities that County Fire may have.
Before we know it, the 2016 fire season will be knocking on our door,
and Camp 6 continues to plan ahead. In December, the crew conducted
interviews and physical ability testing for applicants who applied to the FSA
I position. About 25 applicants were invited to test and be interviewed. We
hope to have the successful applicants start before 2016 fire season kicks in.
44
FIREWIRE • Winter 2016
Fire crew fills nearly 2,000 sandbags
in preparation of winter storms
In preparation of heavy rains, East Valley Water
District on December 17 received assistance from
San Bernardino County Fire to fill sandbags. Through
County Fire’s partnership with the San Bernardino
County Sheriff Department, a 13-member all female
inmate fire crew, known as Glen Helen Crew 15-9,
worked to fill nearly 2,000 sandbags.
“We are grateful for the time and support from County
Sandbag supplies, including unfilled bags and sand, are being
made available to district customers as they prepare for the
winter season. As a reminder, customers will need to bring their
own shovels and tools. Items are accessible 24 hours a day,
seven days a week at two district locations:
Fire Glen Helen Crew 15-9,” said Board Chairman
Ron Coats. “This event is the perfect example of
government agencies coming together to protect
community resources.”
• District Headquarters, 31111 Greenspot Road, Highland
The premade sandbags will be used throughout
• Del Rosa Facility, 1155 Del Rosa Avenue, San Bernardino
the district to protect critical locations, such
• For more photos, visit the East Valley Water District’s
Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/eastvalleywater
as reservoirs, well sites, treatment facilities,
and pumping stations. This effort is part of the
implementation of a number of different preparatory
measures in anticipation of the large number of
forecasted heavy rains.
“Taking steps to protect our drinking water system
during heavy rains is an important piece of our
emergency preparedness program,” said General
Manager/CEO John Mura. “By taking steps to prepare
our facilities ahead of storms, we will be able to focus
our energy where it is needed when they do arrive.”
Photos provided by East Valley Water
All members and overhead at Camp 6
have been very busy transitioning from
their challenging 2015 fire season into
winter operations.
In addition, the camp combined both crews into one and took delivery of a
new Type 6 brush patrol rig, all while prepping for El Niño and sending the crew
foremen to an advance faller class in Northern California. In between the various
projects, the crew has been tasked wit