Cal Fire crews in Santa Clara County began preparing for wildfire season Monday and they have a brand new stunning item of equipment to assist them do it.
“It is hoist capable, [has a] 1,000 gallon tank. This is our snorkel right there,” stated Captain Mike Young of the Alma Helitack Base.
He couldn’t be a lot more pleased with the craft simply contributed to the Cal Fire fleet to quit fires and conserve lives.
“We’re gonna get to you quicker, we’re gonna be be able to bring more water, we’re gonna be able to stay longer, and based on what we’re doing tonight, we’re going to be able to stay through the time where we would’ve had to go home,” stated Young.
He, and a Cal Fire team proceeded their training, taking off from the Santa Cruz Mountains bound for wildlands near Livermore, checking out evening safety glasses, locating the water, doing a number of decreases.
All the while, the four-person team recognizing an electric cable can lead to calamity.
“The wires are a huge, huge, huge hazard. We’re always looking for wires, and it could be something very small, it doesn’t have to be a huge wire,” stated Young.
He stated evening training is particularly tough yet essential for the success of the objective.
“It is more mentally taxing. There’s more strain on your eyes. Learning the communication among the crew at night, learning responsibility, and roles of who needs to be doing what,” said Young. “I’m a fire captain. I worked on a fire engine, and now I’m assisting with the emergency procedures in a Blackhawk helicopter. It is a challenging process,” stated Young.
And one he would certainly not trade for anything.
“I really do love this job,” he stated.
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/south-bay/cal-fire-helicopter-wildfire-prep/3498207/