Busy Saturday for CAL FIRE San Bernardino

The CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit had a very busy Saturday this past weekend. Firefighters and equipment were requested and attended two events held to recognize emergency service personnel for their efforts to serve and protect. One event was the San Bernardino City Neighborhood Watch program for the blocks of West 24th and 25th streets which held their annual block party. Along with the neighbors getting together and visiting, the residents there used the event to honor emergency services personnel.

This year, the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit was honored to be asked to attend the event to be recognozed by the residents there. Also included by the residents were the San Bernardino Police Explorers and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Explorers.
CAL FIRE San Bernardino was requested to send two fire engines to the event. What arrived, much to the happiness and interest of the residents were two Model 34 engines. The crews spent the late afternoon sharing with the residents, answering questions, displaying equipment, letting the children sit in the engines and dressing in their gear so the kids could see what the firefighters looked like up close. This was good for the small children who tend to be afraid of firefighters in their structure gear.
The crews handed out Smokey Bear comic books, coloring books and shared the dinner table with the local residents.
Another engine along with the bulldozer and transport were part of the Firefighter Appreciation Night festivities at the Toyota Speedway in Irwindale. This is the third consecutive year that the speedway has requested the CAL FIRE San Berdnardino Unit to participate in the event by providing equipment for the public to see.

Unfortunately, there was some serious work to be done as well. Eight people were killed and 12 injured while watching the California 200 off-road race in the Mojave Desert near Lucerne Valley. According to news reports, one vehicle crashed and rolled over after taking a jump at high speed. The vehicle crashed into the crowd which was very close to the track.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department was in charge but due to the high amount of fatalities and injuries, CAL FIRE also responded five fire engines and one battalion Chief to assist. The engines responded from Yucca Valley, Lucerne Valley, Hesperia, and Phelan. All of the CAL FIRE equipment was released by 12:20 AM this morning.
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