By Hayden Seder
Sun Valley Fire Department firefighters Slater Storey and Chris Seldon have been dispatched to assist in fighting fires in California.
The 2018 wildfire season in California has been one of the most destructive on record, requiring the assistance of resources from other states. The Woolsey and Camp fires started in November and continue to burn, with the latter killing 42 people and destroying more than 7,000 structures thus far, making it California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record.
Storey has been with the Sun Valley Fire Department over 10 years and Seldon just joined this year, bringing with him eight years of EMT/firefighting experience in the Valley. The pair have been dispatched along the Los Padres National Forest, an area of 2,970 square miles in Southern and Central California. They’ve been assigned for initial attack, meaning that if anything happens in the area, they will be one of the first resources dispatched.
Sun Valley Fire Department Chief Taan Robrahn sent out a notice to their entire fire department to see who was willing and able to work for the two-week minimum requirement. Human resources are assigned according to the type of equipment needed. Because only a smaller, type 6 engine was required, only two members of the department were needed. Storey will be the engine boss, and Seldon a general firefighter.
“Right now we’re planning on them being gone two weeks,” Robrahn said. “But there’s talk of them requesting to have a relief crew, so we might be sending more firefighters, depending on fire conditions. They’re pretty unfortunate conditions that California is experiencing.”
California is also in a “shoulder” season for staff.
“The Forest Service employs seasonal workers, mostly college students, who have all been let go for the winter season,” Robrahn said. “Unfortunately, there is no longer a ‘fire season’; it’s continuous. With the seasonal employees released, California is struggling for resources.”
Sun Valley Fire Department has deployed their resources to other states before. This year alone, firefighters have been deployed to Colorado, Nevada, and California several times.
“We feel fortunate we’re able to send help and assist,” said Robrahn. “It’s a good time of year for us, with the snow coming. We’re fortunate to be able to help our neighbors when we can.”