Editor’s note: The annual Wildland Fire Preparedness Exercise wrapped up this past Friday on the Pala Indian Reservation. Hundreds of regional firefighting forces came together for specialized training on emergency communications, firefighter survival, structure defense and hose deployments under simulated emergencies.
For the ninth year in a row, we provided funding for the three-day event. SDG&E linemen crews also participated during the drill by educating first-responders on what to do if they come across downed power lines while battling a wildland fire.
SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) — Firefighters from across San Diego and Imperial counties are making sure they're prepared for the upcoming wildfire season.
They were in the middle of exercises Thursday to see if crews are ready in the event of another wildfire.
During the three-day event, crews who don’t normally work together served on teams to learn all they can in preparation of an intense fire season.
Just as they would during a real fire, crews from across the region suited up to work.
It’s part of the annual Wildland Fire Preparedness exercise, sending teams with shovels into a dry hillside on the Pala Indian reservation.
“[This] area here has a history of fires - the Witchcreek Fire and the Cumatcha Fire came through this exact area," said Sonny Saghera of Heartland Fire and Rescue.