Volusia prepares for wildfire season
(April, 1999)It’s brush fire season again, and Volusia County Fire Services is gearing up for the worst, just in case.
"We hope that, with a little luck and a lot of rain, this summer will not be a repeat of last year’s wildfires," said Fire Services Director Jim Tauber. "But if the dry weather continues and Volusia County is faced with some summer "reruns," Fire Services will be prepared."
To enhance preparedness, several new measures have been implemented with Fire Services field operations. These include peak-load staffing, constant updates on weather and fire forecasts and providing additional incident command system training for all fire departments in Volusia County. And of course, firefighting personnel have been checking and re-checking brush fire equipment.
A countywide Wildfire Task Force initiative also is in place that is expected to be a tremendous help in keeping wildfires from spreading out of control, Tauber said. The Task Force initiative actually is comprised of five teams located throughout the County. These teams can be assembled on short notice to provide fire protection to structures threatened by an approaching wildfires. Each task force has available two fire engines, a water tanker, two firewalkers, and two dozers. Fire Services, Public Works, and nearly all of Volusia County’s municipalities are participating on the task force teams.
In addition, the Fire Services Wildfire Team, the "Firewalkers" is conducting prescribed burns throughout the County to reduce the amount of woodland fuels in the areas surrounding urban populations. Unlike a controlled burn which basically clears out and area and is stopped when it reaches a certain point, a prescribed burn is a very involved process that takes a careful look at the impact on the environment. Many hours of planning and research go into the development of a prescribed burn, Tauber explained.
"These team members receive specialized training in wildland fire protection and are expected to lead our efforts in containing this summer’s wildfire threat," Tauber said.
Corrections Services is providing inmate overhaul teams to assist in mopping-up fires which have been contained, but still have the potential to jump fire lines. This is an invaluable service, as it frees up the firefighters to perform other duties.
"Fire Services is deeply indebted to all of the Volusia County employees and volunteers who assisted in the massive firefighting effort last summer," said Tauber. "We’re keeping our fingers crossed that we won’t have to go through this again."
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Copyright © 1999 Volusia County, Florida.
