Orange County Fire Authority Without Hand Crews

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For the first time in thirty years, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is without a hand crew, according to the Orange County Register. The department released their part-time hand crew at the end of last year's fire season. The plan to hire a full-time crew is no longer an option because of hard economic times, according to fire officials. The OCFA will have to rely on other agencies for help if a major fire occurs, like last year's Freeway Complex Fire.

"Hand crews are a scarce resource when the fires get burning. We can never count on anybody else's," OCFA Battalion Chief Ken Cruz told The Register. Cruz oversees hand crew operations. He added, "With your own, it's faster to help control the fire, and you know they're going to be there."

In less than two years, Orange County has been hit with two major fires, last year's Freeway Complex Fire and the Santiago Fire in October 2007. Hand crews are instrumental in controlling these large fires. In last year's fire, hand crews were credited with keeping the blaze from burning homes in Anaheim Hills and Orange Park Acres, according to the newspaper.

If needed, the department will transform its own engine companies into hand crews and officials are hoping for a quiet fire season, according to the Register.



Author:Barbara Brooks - FDNNTV.com