Over the past couple of weeks, fires have broken loose throughout Southern California. In the aftermath of their wake, there was significant damage to homes and loss of life. Resources were stretched thin and everyone was called to contribute to the fight. As citizens, we can play a vital role in supporting our community by gaining an understanding of the life and challenges firefighters face.

Fire Station 89 serves the Agoura Hills community. Hayden Wright, a firefighter working at Station 89 was prepared for the fires, due to an alert that fire departments use when severe weather conditions occur.

“There were additional resources staffed prematurely, just to help in case something did evolve into a bigger scenario,” Wright said. “As the events unfolded, that’s when they made the call for everyone else to come in.”

Firefighter Michael Williams, an emergency responder at Station 36 explains firefighters are always equipped with radios. This helps them know what is needed on the scene of an emergency. The first person on the scene of an emergency often relays what they believe is needed, whether it’s water, manpower or equipment. Radios also allow for the progress of the fire to be relayed safely and timely. 

“In California, we have a system in place that any county or even state that requests extra manpower or backup resources can receive them at a moment’s notice. With the recent overload of fires, this is a resource they have been utilizing that has been incredibly helpful,” Williams said. 

The team at Fire Station 89 was called in to assist with the Palisades fire. They focused on the wildland-urban interface (the zone between land occupied by humans and any vegetative fuels) and structure defense.

“We were on a strike team assisting with structure defense and any wildland-urban interface firefighting,” Wright said. “Structure defense is anything from prepping a structure, since it was such strong winds coming through, how we could go ahead and prep structures to help mitigate any fire that may come through and cause the structure to catch on fire as well as if a structure is on fire, we can go ahead and mitigate that problem and extinguish it.”

Although there are alerts to increase readiness, firefighters are constantly improving through training. They stay up to date with different methods and techniques through simulations.

“We’ll do entire mock scenarios,” Wright said. “Anchor flank and pinch is our method of how we’re gonna try to start at the base and come all the way around and wrap it up. Or [the exercise] could be any structured firefighting like throwing ladders, forcible entry, things of that nature, just to constantly be prepared.”

Not only do firefighters have to be well versed in their techniques, but the crucial skill of implicit communication and following directions is vital to efficiency.

“Having someone give you a plan and then being able to deliver that or have it be nonverbal and you know already what the communication is going to be and you go ahead and take that action before it’s even addressed to you is important,” Wright said.

Firefighter Michael Williams, an emergency responder at Station 36 emphasizes the importance of learning from your teammates.

“Listening to other people’s experiences and trying to integrate that into your own response… a lot of decisions you make you listen to other people’s stories, and plan with a piece of that,” said Williams.

Firefighters take an oath to serve their communities and uphold the set of ethics and values that come with the job. They understand the strain that fires put on the individuals and families they work to protect.

 “[Because of] the Woolsey fire, the awareness is much higher, the preparations were already in place,” Williams said. “The anxiety levels may have triggered some people from previous events, but they were also much more prepared to evacuate and maintain their calm demeanor.”

The firefighters of Ventura County work tirelessly to ensure the safety of the residents they serve by fighting active fires but continue to interact with their community through community involvement. They often have open-door policies, attend job fairs and even help with CERT teams. Their goal is always for the community to feel they can rely on and trust firefighters. 

“Helping out with the CERT team…I help teach the adult one, and that’s just one way we integrate with adult and child CERT, amongst other programs” Said Williams. 

Another program Ventura County has worked with is the Fire Explorer Program. Participants develop key life skills from community-related activities. Explorers are even allowed to participate in ride-along shifts and learn how to utilize firefighter tools. 

Firefighters do want to go above and beyond in their service to the communities. As they continue to do their jobs, we must rise out of these ashes as a stronger unit to take steps towards a resilient future.

“Stay positive and try to help out others whenever you can, ” Wright said. “Just be prepared for the unexpected.”