San Bernardino Unit Welcomes Assistant Chief Dan Johnson

Newly promoted Assistant Chief Dan Johnson received his oath of office from Unit Chief Tim McClelland yesterday during a ceremony at Unit Headquarters. Chief Johnson will take over as the Chief of the Pilot Rock Conservation Camp located north of Crestline, California.

Chief Johnson began his fire fighting career in 1983 as a Paid Call Firefighter in the CAL FIRE Riverside Unit. As he moved forward in his career, he transferred in 1988 to Felton, California as a Heavy Fire Equipment Operator (HFEO). From 1990 to 1993, Chief Johnson worked in the San Bernardino Unit as an HFEO. He also worked as a Camp Crew Captain at the San Bernardino Unit's Fenner Conservation Camp.

In 1995 he transferred to the Riverside Unit returning to where he began his career. While there, he promoted to Battalion Chief and worked in several assignments including field Battalion Chief and pre-fire and vegetation management Battalion Chief.

Chief Johnson will be a valuable asset to the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit and the Pilot Rock camp. His years of experience and abilities will enhance the operations of the camp and the unit.

CAL FIRE Teaches Fire Safety at ABC7

For the second consecutive year, the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit was invited to present our News Media Fire Safety class to the news staff at ABC7 television. Located in Glendale, San Bernardino Unit Information Officer Bill Peters conducted eight 90-minute refresher classes over three days, July 12, 13, and 14. Attendance at one of the classes was required for the news staff and technical staff.

Last year, Peters presented the four hour safety class for the first time ever at ABC7. This year, the refresher class included wildland fire behavior, fire ground injuries and safety, off-road vehicle operation, Penal Code Section 409.5 (media access law), and a special focus on Situational Awareness. Peters also spent some time on fire shelter use and deployment, with a volunteer in every class actually deploying a practice shelter. By the way, some of the volunteers were females including one lady reporter who successfully deployed the shelter in her business suit while wearing heels, demonstrating that anyone can successfully deploy a fire shelter. "I really appreciated the willingness of the attendees to engage in the class as well as volunteer to try something new in front of their peers" said Peters.

CAL FIRE Firefighter Fights for Kids

He's a runner, he's a boxer and he's a firefighter II/paramedic for CAL FIRE. Steve Leverette works at station 543 in the City of Highland and that's where this story begins. During business inspections back in March, the engine crew from station 543 paid a visit to a local gym. The firefighters discovered that the gym was a none-profit organization "Highland Boxing".

From that visit, Leverette ran in the Los Angeles Marathon representing the gym for Charity. As a result of that involvement, the gym trained Steve for three months in preparation for a charity boxing event called Battle of the Badges 2011. The training was conducted by Tony and Sunny Cifuentes. The event was held at the Casino Morongo Spa and Resort and was sponsored by "Cops 4 Kids" which is a non-profit organization dedicated to getting kids off the streets. The event was sold out!

The boxing matches involved law enforcement officers and firefighters. Leverette answered the bell in championship fashion. His bout was stopped in the second round as he won with a TKO. For you none boxing fans that means Technical Knockout.

Firefighter II/Paramedic Leverette is to be congratulated not only for his boxing prowess, but for his desire to get involved and help to protect the community he serves on duty and off.

CAL FIRE lends a hand to the Homeless

Yucaipa approves new contract with CAL FIRE

The City of Yucaipa at their July 11, 2011 council meeting approved a new fire protection and paramedic services contract with the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit. According to City Manager Ray Casey, the original contract was approved on June 28, 1999. However, CAL FIRE and the city have been working without a formal agreement in place since June 30, 2005.

The new contract formalizes services through June 30, 2014. City officials say they are pleased with the service that CAL FIRE provides not only on a day by day basis, but during emergency events as well. Yucaipa Mayor Dick Riddell Says "I have always been pleased with the level of service we receive from CAL FIRE."

CAL FIRE In the Bishop Community

Smokey WOW's em at Rosemead's 4th of July parade

It was your typical home town Fourth of July parade in the City of Rosemead, California and for the second consecutive year, Smokey Bear was there. The CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit was honored to support Rosemead's 4th of July parade by providing America's all time fire prevention symbol. This year as last year, Smokey was played by VIP Jason Lannon. There were many animated figures in the parade, but the shouts were reserved for Smokey.



Smokey pulling out onto the parade route.



A real hometown hero

Letter of Appreciation:

Carbon Monoxide Law Takes Effect Today!

Beginning today July 1, 2011, new legislation goes into effect that requires homeowners to install carbon monoxide detectors in every California home; a move CAL FIRE officials say will save lives. Acting State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover says "carbon monoxide is a silent killer, each year claiming the lives of an average of 480 people and sending more than 20,000 people to emergency rooms across the nation".

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and many types of appliances and cooking devices. Carbon monoxide is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. In the past, some people have used things to heat homes or rooms and sadly, deaths have occurred from the carbon monoxide. "Having a CO detector is a small investment that really can help save your life and the lives of your family" said San Bernardino Unit Chief Tim McClelland.

It is important that you know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. You can die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches and may have longer term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause.

Though previous laws only required newly-constructed homes to have CO alarms, the state's new Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (Senate Bill 183) requires owners of all existing single-family homes with an attached garage or fossil fuel source to install CO alarm devices within the home by July 1, 2011. Owners of multi-family leased or rental dwellings, such as apartment buildings, have until January 1, 2013 to comply with the law.

For additional information on how to prevent Carbon Monoxide poisoning visit the CAL FIRE website at http://www.fire.ca.gov/

CAL FIRE Suspends Burning Permits

CAL FIRE is suspending burning permits on ALL STATE RESPONSIBILITY LANDS WITHIN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY. This is being done because of the extreme potential for wildland fire. The burn suspension was effective as of 6:00 A.M. this morning, July 1, 2011 in accordance with Section 4423.1 of the California Public Resources Code. The suspension is effective except in incorporated cities. Additionally, the use of campfires is restricted to campfire facilities located within established campgrounds that are open to the public.

Tim McClelland, CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit Chief says "the large grass crop across the wildland areas of southern California have dried out and can be ignited very easily. By taking this step, we hope to reduce the accidental fire starts that can threaten life and property within San Bernardino County."

We have already witnessed active burning conditions on several wildland fires within San Bernardino County. The high desert area is currently experiencing extreme burning conditions. Homeowner's responsibility is the key to fire safety. Following the law and having their 100 feet of defensible space (or to the property line) is a great first step in hardening their homes and property against wildland fire.