PORT ANGELES — Although last year’s fire season is behind them, a dozen firefighters with Clallam County Fire District No. 2 are preparing now for the 2018 fire season, which local fire officials say can be “unpredictable.”
Recently, firefighters gathered on a weekend to renew their awareness of the dangers posed while working the fire line.
The annual training is required to become recertified each year as a qualified wildland firefighter.
Chief Sam Phillips said Sunday the training has already paid off with fire crews responding to several small brush fires recently.
“It’s starting to warm up and dry out there for us, especially with these winds,” he said. “Typical summer fire seasons don’t start until after the Fourth of July, but this year seems to be a little dryer and windier.”
He said the fires they responded to were small but had potential to grow had they not been put out.
The full day training event April 21 started with a classroom session held at the fire district headquarters where instructors covered specialized topics such as entrapment avoidance, specifically ways to not have a firefighter or a crew of firefighters over run by a fast moving wildfire.
Other topics included current issues such as the anticipated long-term weather forecast for the region, risk management, handling medical emergencies on the fire line, work-rest ratios and managing equipment and personnel time.
Throughout the day an emphasis was placed on safety by establishing lookouts, communications, escape routes and safety zones. The classroom session wrapped up with practice on how to deploy an emergency fire shelter in under one minute and a 45-minute work capacity test.
Also known as the “pack test” firefighters must demonstrate they are in top physical condition to perform arduous work on the rugged fire lines. Each firefighter must carry a 45-pound pack over a 3-mile course in 45 minutes or less to qualify. The stipulation is that the firefighter is prohibited from running.
After a brief break the firefighters regrouped and donned their wildfire protective gear and line packs to refamiliarize themselves with the tools of their trade, including use and care of chainsaws as well as various hand tools designed for cutting a fire line on the ground.
The fire district is preparing to add a third brush engine to its fleet next month.
With help from a Federal Emergency Grant Agency grant that covered 95 percent of the costs for the $140,000 engine, the district was able to purchase the brand-new engine.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
