The scene in Valley Center on Tuesday: Firefighters arriving at a massive wildfire, and assigned to protect a home in the fire's path. As a firefighter rushes towards the home, he misses a hidden danger — a downed power line — and is knocked to the ground.
This scene was only a drill, but it was staged just like the real thing; a worst-case scenario that Captain Josh Sanders of the Chula Vista Fire Department said must be practiced so first responders put their emotions aside and know what to do if it ever really happens. "We trust that firefighters will rise to the moment and handle things appropriately, and at the same time we know that nothing substitutes for training," he said.
That is the reasoning behind the San Diego Multi-Agency Wildland Preparedness Exercise that goes on for over three days in Valley Center.
Valley Center Fire Protection Chief Joe Napier said every year they prepare as if this year will be the worst fire season they've ever had. "For us, that mindset prepares us for all indicators that leads us to believe it's going to be a pretty bad fire season," he said. He noted that Valley Center experienced major fires with loss of life in 2003 and 2007. "So the Valley Center Fire Protection District is constantly working... to make sure that we are as prepared as we could possibly could be. This drill takes that element to a greater level to make sure that the entire county is ready to fight fire at a moment's notice."
The exercise includes firefighting, communications, resource allocation, classroom training, weather and situational awareness, and other skills necessary to control a massive wildfire, with the ultimate goal of no loss of life or property.
Over 60 agencies and nearly 800 firefighters are participating from as far north as Orange County and as far south as Tijuana.
San Diego Fire and Rescue Engineer Marcelo De Casas helps coordinate with firefighters from across the border. He said both sides benefit from this cooperation. "Fires, they blow across the border. They don't stop at the border," he said, "so this is why we need to be on the same page as far as strategy."
Captain Jose Luis Jimenez is the chief of operations for Bomberos de Tijuana. He said they brought a regional team here to learn strategies in managing large-scale incidents, and this training will go a long way because they will use everything learned and apply them on their own large-scale exercise in Mexico. He also said he's grateful for the opportunity as this is proof that no matter the badge, the brotherhood in the fire service is strong.
Sanders said working through lifelike scenarios and even making mistakes while practicing, will help save lives when and if the real thing happens. "When you do something for the first time, there's bound to be mistakes... so as long as you can get a few practice reps in and make them as lifelike as possible, then you set yourself up for success."
The drill is funded by SDG&E and is put on in coordination with the Valley Center Fire Protection District, the Valley Center Municipal Water District, the Greater Valley Center Fire Safe Council and the Valley Center Community Emergency Response Team.
