Bureau of Land Management firefighters, normally called upon to battle fires in rangelands and forests, have added a new tool to their arsenal: self contained breathing apparatus used in fighting structure and vehicle fires.

Nearly 30 fire crew members assigned to five BLM engines in northeast California recently practiced using the equipment that is commonly used by firefighters from city departments. With face masks in place and air tanks strapped to their backs, the crews doused flames shooting from the passenger compartment of a car, from the vehicle’s engine compartment and from a nearby trash container.

The early June training session at the Lassen County fairgrounds was a clear demonstration of how the increasing wildland-urban interface (homes and highways encroaching into the wildlands) is placing new demands on wildland firefighters.

“We’ve equipped all of our heavy fire engines in California with self-contained breathing apparatus,” explained Paul Whitcome, assistant fire management officer for BLM’s Northern California field offices. “Often, our engine crews have to fight structure fires or vehicle fires to protect lives and keep fires from spreading onto public wildlands.”

During the training session, the firefighters learned how to get into the units quickly and use them correctly. The engine crews worked in teams to attack the various types of fires.

The SCBA units, consisting of a mask and air supply, enable firefighters to work in heavy smoke including toxic fumes that can be produced by burning building materials, carpeting and fabrics.

“Use of these units provides an increased level of firefighter safety, and that is always our number one priority,” Whitcome said.

This was the third year for the training. Fire fighters from the BLM Susanville, West Valley , Ravendale and Surprise fire stations participated.

See photos from the training.

-BLM-

Eagle Lake Field Office 2950 Riverside Drive Susanville , CA 96130