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Firefighters Hone Skills, Newbies Gain Experience at Camp Parks

Posted on: Wednesday, 28 June 2006, 09:00 CDT

By Sophia Kazmi, Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif.

Jun. 28--More than 400 firefighters, helicopters, fire engines and tankers are taking over Camp Park's grass lands this week.

A two-day wildland training exercise for Northern California firefighters will continue today, as Bay Area crews sharpen their skills to effectively extinguish grass fires.

The drills began Tuesday and will finish up about 4 p.m. today.

Contra Costa County Fire District and Alameda County Fire Department are co-sponsoring the training, which is in its 13th year. East Bay firefighting agencies -- including Contra Costa, El Cerrito, Richmond, Pinole, Rodeo, Orinda-Moraga, San Ramon Valley, Alameda County, Alameda, Berkeley, Newark, Union City, Fremont, Livermore, Pleasanton and the California Department of Forestry -- and San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara County, Placer County and Reno also are attending.

Alameda County Fire Assistant Chief Jim Purchio said the drills will sharpen the skills of veterans and expose newbies to the experience of fighting large fires.

"We don't get to do this year-round," Purchio said about fighting wildland fires.

An extra wet winter has produced bumper crops of grass and high fire danger this year.

The training at Camp Parks will include the burning of some 200 acres of grass, said Battalion Chief Dave George of the Contra Costa County Fire District.

"When we need to use the skill it will be that much faster, and can protect that much more," George said.

Firefighters are being broken up into groups of 10 to 12, and each group fights several smaller fires. One of the practice drills includes structure fire protection, where a fire burns toward a temporary structure and firefighters have to stop the fire before it reaches the building.

Firefighters are practicing different techniques to contain fires, from driving a truck to using hand tools.

The most activity will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents who see smoke over Camp Parks during that time should not be alarmed, Purchio said.

Sophia Kazmi covers Dublin and Castro Valley. Reach her at 925-847-2122 or skazmi@cctimes.com.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.)

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