Palm Springs fire prepares for wildfire season amid coronavirus pandemic

Palm Springs Fire Department is ramping up for the upcoming fire season while making a few changes during the coronavirus crisis.

“We used to have three to five companies come out for training," said Captain Nathan Gunkel. "We are just doing one, so there's alot more work each person has to do.” 

Gunkel said one company includes a captain, an engineer and a firefighter .

He emphasizes the amount of training is still the same but its just more spread out with more work load while wearing a mask. 

Captain Seacrist and his crew are feeling it. 

“Wildland fires you know you’re not going to do it with a single engine, " said Seacrist. "You do it with multiple agencies and multiple departments, its hard not training with other engines honestly."

Gunkel said its crucial for fire crews to maintain their level of responsiveness and readiness in case a fire does spark up. 

“Fire season doesn’t know about COVID so they are not isolating so its going to happen," said Gunkel. "We know its going to happen."

According to the Palm Springs Fire Department, they respond to about 11,000 calls annually and at least 100 of those calls have to do with wildland fires, which is why their primary focus for the month of May is to their wildland refresher training.

The training includes structure defensive tactics, fire shelter deployment, hose lays and mobile pumping drills.

Seacrist recalls his experience in being deployed in 2018 to the Woolsey fire and how training daily is critical. 

“There’s so much to learn in this career," said Seacrist. "There’s so much stuff out there that could get you hurt and killed so we can't make sure we are prepared always."

Palm Springs Fire Department is reminding residents to maintain their yard. If you do have dry vegetation at your home then it needs to be watered otherwise keep it at least 10 feet away from your home.