Post by SIERRA 14 on May 11, 2004 21:31:38 GMT -5
This was posted on Tioga Counties Board. I thought it might benefit to post a copy of it on yours as well.
Could you elaborate on what the goals and responsiblities for this specialized crew is. I don't really understand. Also What is the Training requirement needed for this unit? thank you.
Doug champaign
This could get quite lengthy but I'll try to keep it short with out cutting out the important parts.
The Bureau of Forestry was largely organized because of wildfires. Many years ago the state was timbered to great proportions. Mostly clear cutting. With these clear cuts came large scale fires. On a side note our forests in PA did not use to be hardwoods. The hardwoods came because of the large fires.
There warden organization hierarchy goes as follows:
Chief Forest Fire Warden - Responsible for entire State.
District Forest Fire Warden - Responsible for the individual forest districts.
Local Forest Fire Warden - Responsible for their local immediate area.
All Local Forest Fire Wardens are appointed by the Chief Forest Fire Warden. Basic requirements of local wardens by law:
There are three types of forest fire crews in PA:
Well that's the different crews in PA. That is the condensed version. If anybody would like more information about any or all of these crews it would be better to do it face to face or on the phone. I would be more than happy to discuss any or all of them with anybody interested. In the last 15 or so years we have gotten away from using Local Warden Crews in this district. We are working very hard to change that. Our goal in the Tioga Forest District is to establish and utilize Local Wardens crews on a more regular and routine basis. Bonifide forest fires take a tremendous amount of time and manpower. Local Fire Companies cannot be expected to commit the majority of their apparatus or personnel for such fires. Somebody needs to hold down the ranch in case something more emergent comes up.
Hope this helps
Ventman240 said:
Brian,Could you elaborate on what the goals and responsiblities for this specialized crew is. I don't really understand. Also What is the Training requirement needed for this unit? thank you.
Doug champaign
This could get quite lengthy but I'll try to keep it short with out cutting out the important parts.
The Bureau of Forestry was largely organized because of wildfires. Many years ago the state was timbered to great proportions. Mostly clear cutting. With these clear cuts came large scale fires. On a side note our forests in PA did not use to be hardwoods. The hardwoods came because of the large fires.
There warden organization hierarchy goes as follows:
Chief Forest Fire Warden - Responsible for entire State.
District Forest Fire Warden - Responsible for the individual forest districts.
Local Forest Fire Warden - Responsible for their local immediate area.
All Local Forest Fire Wardens are appointed by the Chief Forest Fire Warden. Basic requirements of local wardens by law:
- Must take an oath and sworn in.
- Must have a crew of at least 5 trained firefighters.
- Must conduct annual training for their crew.
- Must attend an annual meeting with District Fire Warden.
- Must take suppression action on all wildfires they are aware of .
There are three types of forest fire crews in PA:
- Local Forest Fire Warden Crews - Basically for use in district / local areas. Minimum training of Basic Wildland Firefighting (PA-130) and Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190).
- Wildfire Support Crews- To be used anywhere in the PA. Must be an incorporated and organized Local Forest Fire Warden Crew with at least 10 firefighters meeting fireline training requirements. Respond as a 10 person crew minimum and self sufficient for one shift. Fireline training requirements: PA-130, S-190 and moderate work capacity test (walk with a 25 pound pack for 2 miles in 30 minutes) annually.
- Specialized Forest Fire Crew - A list of firefighters qualified for out of state fire assignments. Training requirements: PA-130, S-190, attend PA's Specialized Crew Camp Weekend every two years and arduous work capacity test (walk with a 45 pound pack for 3 miles in 45 minutes) annually
Well that's the different crews in PA. That is the condensed version. If anybody would like more information about any or all of these crews it would be better to do it face to face or on the phone. I would be more than happy to discuss any or all of them with anybody interested. In the last 15 or so years we have gotten away from using Local Warden Crews in this district. We are working very hard to change that. Our goal in the Tioga Forest District is to establish and utilize Local Wardens crews on a more regular and routine basis. Bonifide forest fires take a tremendous amount of time and manpower. Local Fire Companies cannot be expected to commit the majority of their apparatus or personnel for such fires. Somebody needs to hold down the ranch in case something more emergent comes up.
Hope this helps