Santiago Fire Shelter Deployment

mikemartin234 Says:

Feb 24, 2008 - hmmm... i have seen this video and it has been discussed. what do you guys think?

Sandyman82 Says:

Mar 4, 2008 - They never should have put themselves in that situation. That being said, I'm very impressed with the response of the supporting engines and the calmness of the sheltered firefighters. Everything went just as it should have...even though that should never happen.

sensordev Says:

Apr 6, 2008 - Repeating a comment made elsewhere, the reason they went into this unfavorable terrain was that the fire had just jumped the road to threaten three canyons with 800 homes in poorly defensible locations. If not stopped here the damage would be extensive. This was like the break in the levee, only fire instead of water, and they put themselves in harms way because they knew how vital this one fire path was. They couldn't stop it though, and it went on to take out thousands of acres and 14 homes.

trygve5 Says:

Apr 19, 2008 - always fight the fires in the black not in the brown, the shelters saved there life and they learned a valuable lesson

HSU25 Says:

Apr 21, 2008 - Thanks old timer. Must have been in a lot of hairy situations in your 18 years. Oh yeah, thats right they were not fighting fire they were living at home with your mom.

SilentVillainPro Says:

May 11, 2008 - During firefighting your saftey is number 1 not the 800 homes. As soon as a spot had developed below them #9, 16, 11 on the 18's had been broken.

sensordev Says:

May 11, 2008 - Firefighting is by nature risky, and when to risk and when to retreat is always an on the spot judgement call. A captain walking into an area near here to recon. Teams had been evacuated earlier because of the fire's intensity. A highly placed civilian authority told him to come back, the area was too dangerous. He replied over his shoulder as he continued forward, "Sir, danger is my business." Not bravado, just a professional stating the truth of the matter and exercising his own judgment.

jberndt88 Says:

May 25, 2008 - Everyones got an opinion dont they. Why point fingers when you werent even there?

funniedoug03 Says:

May 26, 2008 - god bless you guys and gals with your red cards, thankfully i live in an area that sees maybe 5 or 6 brush fires a year. keep safe

andydodds21 Says:

May 30, 2008 - I hope this all reminds my fellow brother firefighters about LCES and the 10's and 18's be safe and everyone watch each other.

jblatman Says:

Jun 22, 2008 - I remember seeing this when it first came out. I'm surprised that I never saw this covered in the national Fire magazines. Hindsight is 20/20. Although we can see the whole situation developing, I'm not sure the crew on the hill could really see it. Everyone was able to walk away... and I'm sure lots of people walked away from this fire with some "lessons learned".

rhvfd10 Says:

Jun 26, 2008 - An excellent training aide demonstrating the best possible response to a bad situation. The radio traffic was superb.

tashashinn Says:

Nov 24, 2008 - It looks like these guys were very lucky to escape uninjured.

brettdude5 Says:

Jan 16, 2009 - dude my friend was in 1 of those shelters he wasn't hurt he said he could hear the fire going over him

brettdude5 Says:

Jan 16, 2009 - ya they know that their orders were 2 push deeper into the fire didn't u hear

Rickfirefight Says:

Jan 19, 2009 - Great training Aid. LCES, 10's-18's

Barris0707 Says:

Feb 6, 2009 - I just applied for this crew, man i hope i get in!!!!

kdog541 Says:

Apr 6, 2009 - communications were excellent..ive been on worse fires(not bragging) with less communications between staff and crews..LCES was on point in this situation. They say the best time to use your shelter is NEVER,this video explains the best possible times to deploy

madhatte73 Says:

Apr 11, 2009 - This is an excellent training video and a perfect demonstration of the 10 and 18 in action. I'll be passing this on.

jvela500 Says:

May 12, 2009 - Amazing radio traffic!! I am a dispatcher for Cal Fire and those guys get mad props!! Very impressive and glad no one got hurt!! Yes its that time of year to practice LCES and your 10's and 18's!!

jmiali Says:

Oct 28, 2009 - So tell me, Since when has the "black" not been a safety zone?? Deploying in the black!! ha.These guys were idiots, a road 100 feet away? Sounds like in-experience to me! Sorry guys I gotta keep it real! ORCO kinda sketchy on the wildland! And to the guy who wanted to get on this crew, go with the USFS.