OSFM ST from Linn County rescues lost horse, provides food, and calls animal rescue to have her transported to safety

The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) strike teams (ST) continue critical work on the Camp Fire Incident burning in Butte County, California.  The OSFM currently has 75 engines and approximately 300 personnel from throughout the Oregon Fire Service currently assigned to the incident.   The Camp Fire is the nation’s deadliest wildfire in a century and although cooler weather is helping firefighters to gain ground, we know that the search for people will continue.  As the number of fatalities increase, we continue to monitor the effects this has on our first responders and to provide the necessary peer support.  The safety and well-being of our firefighters is, and will remain, our number one priority.

Thirteen OSFM ST are working 24 hour shifts on the fire constructing direct lines and holding control lines to mitigate the threat of fire escaping.  They are also engaged in mop up and patrol. Two OSFM ST are assigned to the Rescue Division, working 12 hour shifts. Their assignments involve securing water lines, gas lines, and LPG storage and lines, as well as working to clear structures and assisting search and rescue recovery efforts.

Chief Deputy Ruiz-Temple states, “Oregonians can take great pride in the sacrifice of our firefighters during this time of year. We also keep their families in our thoughts who will certainly miss them during the upcoming holiday. When giving your thanks next week, please keep everyone affected by the fires in your thoughts as they face the grim task of rebuilding their property and lives”.

The Oregon strike teams are expected to remain on the fire through Friday, November 23rd; however as conditions improve their return home may change.

Using its emergency mobilization plan, through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, The Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has activated its Agency Operations Center and is in the process of mobilizing 15 strike teams with equipment and personnel to assist with the Camp Fire in California.  

The OSFM is sending structural task forces from the following counties: Rouge Valley, Klamath, Douglas, Lane, Marion, Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Polk, Washington, Multnomah, Clatsop, Columbia, Clackamas, and Yamhill.

“Once again, our neighbors in California are in need of support, and even though Oregon had a very long fire season, our Oregon Fire Service has stepped up humbly to help the state of California,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Walker. 

California made the request through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact a national state-to-state mutual aid system. The EMAC request is sent directly to Oregon Emergency Management who contact and coordinate with the appropriate Oregon agency to fulfill the requests.

Incident Commander Ted Kunze

The Office of State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) second Incident Management Team (IMT) is returning home from Florida Saturday, October 27th after a 14-day assignment.  They should arrive in Oregon Saturday afternoon.  

Incident Commander Ted Kunze along with the combined OSFM and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) IMT’s  mission was in Bay County in the Florida Panhandle, where they integrated with IMTs from Mississippi and Florida.  The unified IMT provided leadership to the county for emergency management response by deploying resources for search and rescue. The team then shifted into recovery mode by helping residents obtain transitional housing and getting kids back into schools.

Incident Commander Ted Kunze said, “OSFM and ODF working in unified command along with the IMTs from other states optimized our resources and created a robust IMT, which allowed us to get started quickly and efficiently on our search and rescue mission.  I feel we all represented Oregon very well.”

In addition to all of Oregon’s support, the team received appreciative and encouraging words from many Floridians, as well as U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and FEMA Director Brock Long.

Although the recovery efforts posed some challenges, our team describes their mission as very inspiring and humbling. We are very proud of the work done by both of our teams in helping Floridians put the pieces back together again.

OSFM’s Green IMT, Florida Region 4-6 IMT, and Gulf County Emergency Management Team

The Office of State Fire Marshal’s Green Incident Management Team (IMT) is returning home from Florida Wednesday, October 24th after a 14-day assignment.  They should arrive in Oregon by noon.  Their relief efforts in Gulf County, Florida were coordinating the re-establishment of infrastructure such as power, water, and transportation, as well as supporting search and rescue and other emergency operations.

In addition to their coordination efforts, Incident Commander Chief Les Hallman, Deputy IC Chief Tom Williams, members of the Florida National Guard, and the Florida Crisis Response Team spent a day loading a truck with 1300 meals to be delivered to locations throughout the county.

Along with thanks received from many in the affected communities, Gulf County attorney Jeremy Novak had high praise for the Green Team’s contribution to recovery efforts. Novack wrote, “Words will never suffice for the deep gratitude we have for all eight of you. You were such a welcomed sight the day after and have been simply outstanding and incredibly professional. Don’t know that we will be given the opportunity to repay the incredible kindness you have given our wonderful community, but I assure you we will strive to pay it forward. God Bless each of you and thank you.”

The team also received a surprise visit from Florida Governor Rick Scott. Chief Hallman and the team spent an hour with the Governor, who thanked the state of Oregon for their response and service.

Chief Les Hallman stated, “the Green Team was honored to serve Gulf County and their communities during their time of need.  In the very short time we were here, we became part of their family.  Our thoughts are with them as they continue to restore their county.”

With the significantly reduced threat to homes, the last of the OSFM’s structure protection resources will be departing today. Local responders, working with personnel assigned directly to the fire, will take over structural protection and patrol. Although the resources from the OSFM will be returning home, the number of personnel assigned to the fire has actually increased with the addition of more wildland firefighters.  OSFM task forces can and will return quickly if conditions warrant.

Chief Deputy Mariana Ruiz-Temple states, “it has been an honor to serve your community and I can’t say enough about your local responders. Their efforts were heroic and this community is fortunate to have them. As always, if you need us, we’ll be here for you.”

The Office of State Fire Marshal wants to thank the local responders and the community for their efforts the night the Klondike West Fire spread five miles.  The OSFM would also like to thank the fire agencies that worked so hard to support the mutual aid system over the 2018 fire season, especially this late in the season.