MCLB Firefighter-Paramedic responds to Modoc July Complex Fire

Photo By Laurie Pearson | Derek Sutton, firefighter and paramedic with Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow’s Fire and Emergency Services, was the first of base personnel to respond on a multi-agency fire as a fireline paramedic from July 28 to August 13. The two-week assignment was part of an inter-agency agreement, the California Master Mutual Aid Plan, allowing the state of California to essentially borrow personnel from various organizations in order to combat large fires cooperatively. (Command Photo: MCLB Barstow)  

BARSTOW, CA, UNITED STATES

08.24.2017

Story by Laurie Pearson  

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

Derek Sutton, firefighter and paramedic with Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow’s Fire and Emergency Services, was the first of base personnel to respond on a multi-agency fire as a fireline paramedic from July 28 to August 13.
The two-week assignment was part of an inter-agency agreement, the California Master Mutual Aid Plan, allowing the state of California to essentially borrow personnel from various organizations in order to combat large fires cooperatively.
“Not only are we the first installation within Marine Corps Installations West to offer this level of service to the state of California,” said Greg Kunkel, Emergency Medical Services chief on base, “but it also brings on a new and exciting aspect of EMS and fire experiences to our personnel.”
The request went through the Interagency Incident Support process, alerting the Southern California Geographic Area Coordination Center to the need for additional personnel on the Modoc July Complex Fires, on Modoc National Forest. They then contacted the Area Coordination Center in San Bernardino which then, in turn, contacted MCLB Barstow who was on their call roster.
“I’ve never been to that remote area of Northern California,” Sutton said. “I also have a family, so when I got the call at 10 p.m., I think they thought I’d decline, but I was excited for the experience.”
Upon his arrival, the Interagency Incident Management Team, Norcal Team 2, was in charge of the fire, which then transitioned to California IIM Team 4 and the fire was continuing to grow.
“It was plume driven at the time,” Sutton said. “That happens with weather conditions align, and a large column of smoke forms, pushing the fire in the direction of that weather.”
The fire started on July 24th with a lightning strike, then multiple strikes caused additional fires, many of which converged under the umbrella of the Modoc July Fire Complex. The term “Complex” in this usage is said to hold dual meaning. First is that of a complex or structure of organizing many areas of concern (fires) under one management system. The second indicating the complexity involved with fighting so many fires in such vast terrain.
“Modoc National Forest is so big and sprawling,” Sutton said. “My partner and I spent a great deal of time engaging in area familiarization. We studied topographical maps of the area, and figured out where all of the crews were, where the fire lines were, as well as landing zones for aircraft and drop zones for ambulances. One dozer line was over two miles long.”
His primary focus on this assignment was to provide emergency medical treatment to fire personnel on the fire lines. Fire-line paramedics also have to coordinate patient extrication and transportation by air or ground.
“One of the primary reasons fire personnel from MCLB Barstow have not responded on large fires like this one before,” explained Kunkel, “is because we had to outfit our personnel with specialized wildland fire program equipment and gear as outlined by FIRESCOPE.”
FIRESCOPE stands for “FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies,” and the organization originated out of Southern California in 1972. It was consolidated under legislative action in 1986.
“The goal of this group was to create and implement new applications in fire service management, technology and coordination, with an emphasis on incident command and multi-agency coordination,” said Kipp Morrill, member of the Aviation and Safety specialist groups with FIRESCOPE. “This dynamic state-wide program continues to serve the needs of the California Fire Service today. The FIRESCOPE Specialist and Working Groups assist the Task Force in the development, implementation, and maintenance of FIRESCOPE products. Representation on these groups is determined by the issues being addressed and the subsequent level of technical expertise required ensuring statewide representation.”
The products developed may include courses and training, in addition to myriad other components. One of those is a compiled list of wildland firefighter gear needs to ensure the safety of each and every person responding to an incident.
With gear in hand, more of the base fire personnel are now ready to respond to fire emergencies should the need arise.
“It was a great experience,” Sutton said. “On a fire, you’ve got 14 days, and you have to make the best of it! When I wasn’t walking the fire lines and checking in with personnel, I was using the opportunity to connect with the people.”
Instead of limiting their efforts to emergency medical response, they helped fire personnel by providing some of the basic comforts they might miss while working in extreme conditions.
“Sometimes it was providing them with moleskin for their blisters, or Tylenol if they need it,” he said. “I like being out there with the firefighters who are actively fighting the fire so they know I’m there for them and I have their backs.”
Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to gain the experience, he said that he appreciates how MCLB Barstow Fire maintains its lead as a progressive and forward-thinking department, as relates to EMS.
“We have been more of a structure fire and EMS focused department, lacking wildland fire diversity, because of our location mostly,” Sutton said. “The only time we’ve been able to get wildland experience has been on strike team assignments until now. This fireline paramedic position allows us to diversify our skill-set in a new arena, responding on big wildland fires as a single resource.”
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• Date Taken: 08.24.2017
• Date Posted: 08.29.2017 13:46
• Story ID: 246425
• Location: BARSTOW, CA, US