April 02--ANDERSON -- With a hot and busy fire season expected, wildland firefighters held a dry run today over a cold and wet course.
The Shasta District Fair grounds has taken on the look of an obstacle driving course as wildland firefighters from throughout Northern California are wrapping up an extensive two-week training exercise designed to help them prepare for the upcoming fire season.
Today's practices, which were on display before the media, will continue Thursday and Friday with actual testing of the drivers.
The demanding 80-hour North Zone Engine Academy course focuses on three main areas, said Andre Capps, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service.
Those areas are driving, pumping and hydraulics, which includes hose lays that are critical to effective initial response on wildfires near roads, and preventive maintenance.
During the intensive engine academy program, participants from a variety of agencies learn about navigating in both urban and rural settings, such as mountain roads, and also get to test out their skills during simulated incidents.
Although perhaps not as sexy as a smoke-jumping job, the driving skills being tested and refined are of critical importance.
Lives may depend upon them.
Capps noted that these drivers are often required during the course of their jobs to drive on demanding -- and often dangerous -- back country roads.
The driving skills they show, she said, are nothing less than impressive.
During today's practice, which covered six separate courses, fire engine and emergency response vehicle drivers showed off their stuff as they demonstrated driving techniques and other maneuvers on the closed courses.
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