WFD999
03-04-2005, 07:59 PM
This Is a actual call. So here we go. Summer 30 deg C. Nominal winds. Provical fire ban in place. We were called from mutal aid to a structure fire in a rural area with a 30 Min responce from both deparments. When we were called at that point the county was in a red state. All assets committed. The primary dept arrived and many calls were screamed into the radio from the new chief of that dept for the old chief to come out and help. On our way out we came to a brush fire on the access road to farm. It was about 20 M square. We stopped infromed dispatch and quickly extinguished the brush and continued to our mutal aid call. When coming up to the scene the fuel tanks in the yard belevied. Upon arrival when see three water trucks.(private tankers) and two pumpers frimm the primary department one with a monitor. They where filling the basement of the home. A total loss. the farm yard was involved at this time with machince sheds grian bins etc. We were assigned to go the the rear area of the yard a 5 min drive tough the back way through the field. Mean while new chief is still calling for old chief and completely lost. At this time the county declares there disater plan in effect. ANd that foresty is diverting heelos and bombers to assit with other calls. We set up at the rear with a pond close at hand at setup stationary to draft and attack. Now lost fire chief cries into the radio for everyone to hold there are explosives somewhere on the property. We do so. Land owner comes around the rear to were we are set up and asks us to water his cattle. I tell my guys to do so while I disscuss the location of the dynomite with the land owner. I get the location. In a old bored up dog house not far from where we are stationed. The dyonmite is gel type with the caps and leaders in a seperate box in the same dog house. New chief is now so paniced that he wont answer my calls on the radio. I should at this time tell you I have one ex-military members with me that was in one commando. He give me the hoe down on gel type dynomite. A safe product. I finally get a hold of old chief new chief seems to be a write off. Get the OK to move the dynomite to a safe distance along with the caps and leaders. New chief back now. I give him the situation and ask to goto the attack told to remian holding. 25 min later county chief fire protection offficer comes by and lands and gets out of his chopper and We finally get togo to the attack on his orders. A bunch more crap happened with new chief on this call after this also. But my fingers are getting wore out.
The land owner had lost both of his sons in a MVA about 12 years prior to this and committed suicide 3 months after this call.
My question is should as a captian relieved that New chief and taken over command? Should we not have stopped for the brush fire? This one still frustates me to this day.
The land owner had lost both of his sons in a MVA about 12 years prior to this and committed suicide 3 months after this call.
My question is should as a captian relieved that New chief and taken over command? Should we not have stopped for the brush fire? This one still frustates me to this day.