Thirty-two firefighters and five instructors from multiple agencies participated in daylong training June 17 at the Trail Nine Golf Course in Port Ludlow on how to fight wildland fires.
Ten …
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Saturday, June 17 was a “Red Card” day for several firefighters in Jefferson and Clallam counties who took part in the Trail Nine Wildland firefighting exercise in Port Ludlow. Photo courtesy Port Ludlow Fire Rescue
Thirty-two firefighters and five instructors from multiple agencies participated in daylong training June 17 at the Trail Nine Golf Course in Port Ludlow on how to fight wildland fires.
Ten firefighters earned their “Red Cards” – used by agencies as proof of qualifications for fighting such fires – after the exercise.
Those who earned Red Cards included two firefighters from Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue, one from East Jefferson Fire Rescue, two from Brinnon Fire Department, two from Quilcene Fire & Rescue, two from Clallam Fire District 2 and one from Clallam Fire District 3.
Olympic Peninsula fire districts are surrounded by public lands and work with federal agencies, according to a press release from Port Ludlow Fire Rescue.
“Having local district firefighters trained to assist other agencies if/when there is a need, among other benefits, creates opportunities for training with other agencies,” the release stated.
The Northwest Fire Science Consortium, a multi-disciplinary network of federal and state agencies, universities and private landowners in Washington and Oregon, had this to say about the 2017 wildfire season for Washington:
“An above average snowpack, frequent rains, and below average temperatures have kept fire danger projections for the upcoming season low. However, a possible El Nino type event during late summer may be on the horizon, potentially bringing with it drier fuels conditions and persistent summer conditions through fall, challenging normal fire season end dates.”
SKILLS TESTED
Skills tested at the drill included wildland urban interface/structure preparedness using a variety of wildland firefighting equipment; progressive hose lays; securing a water supply using portable pumps and a water tank to supply hose operations.
A live fire demonstration concluded the exercise.
Instructors for the exercise were Eric Flannigan from DNR; Quilcene Assistant Fire Chief Don Svetich, a former USFS employee; Lt. Wicus McGuffey, Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue; Curtis Sanders and Gavin Rogers with East Jefferson Fire Rescue.
Deputy Chief Ted Krysinski from East Jefferson Fire Rescue assisted in the development of the exercise and helped coordinate the evolutions throughout the day.
Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue Chief Brad Martin was the incident commander for the exercise.
