Strike Team Assembled to Fight California Wildfires
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS071025-23
Release Date: 10/25/2007 7:55:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michelle Rhonehouse, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. (NNS) -- Units from Federal Fire Department San Diego Station joined forces here Oct. 24, as part of a five-engine strike team to extinguish California wildfires.
The strike team consisted of engines from Federal Fire San Diego, Naval Station San Diego, Naval Air Station North Island and Federal Fire Ventura County. Each engine holds a crew of four, with a strike team leader who instructs the firefighters.
"Our team's purpose is structural protection," said Fire Capt. Paul Tompkins, strike team leader. "Wherever we are needed, we will go and hopefully save some homes from a devastating fate."
The federal fire departments have been combating the Southern California wildfires since they started Oct. 21. The fires have forced more than half-a-million people to evacuate their homes.
"I have been rotating throughout Rancho Bernardo and Poway all week," said Michael Tenney, Federal Fire Station San Diego, North Island firefighter. "It was a very hard time--exhausting time--but I believe we have gone above and beyond what was expected of us. It's very rewarding to know you are a part of saving lives and homes."
Capt. Kelly McComb, Federal Fire Department San Diego, Naval Station San Diego said, "The magnitude and destruction of these fires, I think, is more than anyone expected. Fortunately, the firefighters, volunteers and the community have come together to ensure that families are safe, fed and as few homes and businesses as possible are taken by the fire."
Federal Fire Department San Diego is the largest fire department in the Department of Defense. It was formed by consolidating the individual fire departments on each military installation in the San Diego area.
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