New Cal Fire hires train ahead of potentially busy fire season
UPDATE 6/17/2016 5:30 PM: Cal Fire says since Jan. 1, there have been more than 1,800 wildfires that have burned more than 30,000 acres in California. Now that we are well into fire season, Cal Fire Santa Cruz is adding some new members to its team.
Cal Fire Santa Cruz welcomed 36 new crew mates by having them train on live fire drills. Fire officials want to make sure when it comes to putting out the real flames, this crew can extinguish them.
“Being that we’re in a Mediterranean climate here in California, the grass and brush has cured in our county and all surrounding counties so all of our receptive fuel beds are very receptive to fire,” Division Chief Jake Hess said.
Because of California’s dry condition, the state has approved additional fire staffing. In total, 86 new seasonal firefighters will be suiting up locally.
These cadets learned how to shelter in place, operate pumps and hose lines, ladder drills and mobile attacks. Suiting up in 75 pounds of gear can physically weigh them down, but these trainees say the greatest challenge is more mental.
“It’s very important to do our job,” Andrew Sammut said. “This is our life line, this is our basic skills and it’s really important that we hone these techniques down because our lives depending on it and the public’s lives are depending on it.”
Cal Fire said the majority of wildfires are started accidentally. They’d like folks to know that it’s important to clear out any brush around structures that could spark a fire.
“The Fourth of July is coming up,” Hess said. “Fireworks are illegal in Santa Cruz County and we are clearly not out of our drought conditions.”
This summer, Cal Fire is hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. That’s why training the new cadets is a top priority.
ORIGINAL POST:
New firefighters hired to work for Cal Fire Santa Cruz-San Mateo are training all week in the Santa Cruz Mountains, ahead of what’s expected to be a very busy fire season.
From ladder drills to dry hose drills, 36 firefighters are learning from the experts.
Crews said with an unprecedented drought, the state has allowed them to hire more than usual. Some new trainees said it’s more of a mental challenge than a physical one.
KION’s Brandon Castillo will have more at 5 & 6.
