News
Connecticut fire crew heads to California to help U.S. Forest Service fight wildfires
By Governor Rell's office
Jul 2, 2008 - 4:32:58 PM

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that in response to a request from the U.S. Forest Service a crew from Connecticut is departing tomorrow to help fight wildfires that are burning in California’s Big Sur region.

Governor Rell said the crew – which was organized by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) – will assemble Thursday (July 3) at DEP’s Eastern District Headquarters in Marlborough (details and directions below) and travel to Manchester, NH for a flight to California. The crew will be deployed for up to a 16-day rotation.

Governor Rell said, “Connecticut has received a call for help and once again, I am proud that we are ready and able to respond. With fires raging in California, there is a need for trained personnel from other parts of the country and our state is well prepared to lend a hand. All of us appreciate the dedication and bravery of the crewmembers. Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with them and their families.”

The Connecticut crew is scheduled to assist firefighters battling major fires in California as directed by the U.S. Forest Service.

DEP keeps a roster of agency staff members and personnel from local fire departments that have been certified to fight forest or wildfires. Crewmembers must complete a rigorous training program and participate in an annual renewal course.

Connecticut maintains this firefighting capability to participate in a reciprocal aid program operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Under this program, trained personnel from other parts of the nation are available to assist Connecticut in the event of a fire emergency – in return for personnel from this state being available to assist elsewhere.

Departure Details

Crewmembers are scheduled to assemble at DEP Eastern District Headquarters Thursday, July 3 at 1 p.m. The crew will leave at approximately 2:00 p.m. by bus for Manchester, NH and take a charter flight from the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, ID. departing at 6:00 a.m. Friday morning.

Directions to DEP’s Eastern District Headquarters: Take Route 2 to exit 13. Follow Rte. 66 East approximately two miles. DEP’s Eastern District Headquarters is on the left side – 209 Hebron Avenue (Rte. 66) – with Smokey Bear out front.

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