Fire officials team up with housing authority to receive specialized training

The Monterey County Housing Authority Development Corporation is teaming up with the North County Fire Protection District to help create real-life scenarios to further the district’s training.

Wednesday, firefighters used vacant buildings set for demolition to train on fire ventilation techniques and search and rescue–both areas critical to the safety and security of residents in Monterey County. Crews say, usually finding two-story buildings to train in can be difficult. “Normally this is something that would be occupied by a lot of people so if we have the opportunity to train in a controlled setting it gives us that visual and the application of what we’d be doing in obviously a not so great situation” said Arista.

Warmer temperatures this week, means higher chances of fires. North County Fire District Division Chief, Humberto Arista, says as heat goes up so does the risk for fire danger. Chief Arista says even with the Summer months coming to and end, the fire season is far from over, “We’re barely at the tip here. We can go all the way through November, December. It depends on our weather patterns. It hasn’t let up yet so we’re expecting a pretty busy fire season.”

Those buildings set for demolition will eventually be replaced with newly constructed affordable farm labor housing. Monterey County Housing Authority Development Corporation says the new housing will include 1-4 unit homes. The site will also include a community center, playground and computer room.