A Fire-Pro team was assessing the fire potential and its threat to our clients. The fire was staying in the hills north of Pala Casino. At approximately 6:00 p.m. the wind was definitely blowing the fire northeast. Aerial assets were in the air right away and helping to contain the spread. The ground troops are making good progress getting a very long hose-lay on the perimeter of the fire.

The STAY AND DEFEND concept started in Australia, after a devastating wildfire killed 73 people in 1983. Even after the horrendous wildfires of January, 2009, that killed 173 people, the STAY AND DEFEND OR LEAVE EARLY concept is accepted as a necessary fire defense system. In California, the STAY AND DEFEND OR LEAVE EARLY policy is rejected out of hand for political reasons. The fire unions are firmly against the policy, as are many firefighters who believe citizens should not place their lives in harms way to protect their property. The same firefighters appear not to understand the historical and emotional connections people have with their property, nor of a property owner’s right to defend their own castle. Nonetheless, the California fire service is not aware of the possibility that homeowners can safely defend their property. Their belief is based, I believe, in the lack of understanding of how homes in the wildland urban interface can be protected- with a different strategy from what their used to using. The fire agencies continue to implement the same strategy and methods for fighting wildfires that have been around for decades, and refuse to accept a new paradigm for suppressing interface wildfires.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/5574847/forced-evacuations-not-the-solution-commission-hears

The California firefighters arm of the International Association of Firefighters, the California Professional Firefighters (a firefighters union advocacy), has published an interesting article in its publication (Volume 17 No.2, Second Quarter 2009). Some excerpts are:

“Why did so many die in an area with a fraction of California’s population density? Many are pointing the finger at Australia’s “Leave Early or Stay and Defend” policy… Under pressure from a few angry homeowners and a PR blitz by fire-service privateers, a few California departments last year began studying the “Stay and Defend” option. But in the face of this disaster, the California fire service has come together to say no.”

The firefighters’ unions are using the January 2009 Australian wildfires, where 173 people died in the wildfires, as their justification for condemning the notion that non-firefighters could save their own homes. Their notion is not as much a concern for your safety, as much as it is self concern. While I’m absolutely positive that many firefighters truly believe everyone should flee from a wildfire for safety’s sake, I’m as positive that most firefighters don’t know it is possible for a homeowner to safely defend one’s home when properly prepared. The union bosses, however, are loathe to give up any excuse for adding more firefighters; not that homeowners defending their own property would jeopardize the firefighters’ numbers. But to a union boss, this self-reliance is a slippery slope that could cause people to not want more firefighters, and thereby, not increase the union membership.

Here’s an excerpt from an email I received recently (copied directly from my email):

Hi my name is J*****, I have been a Firefighter for Riverside County Fire for 8 years. Due to the State and County budgets My position was eliminated along with 16 others. I have been forced to look at private fire as Goverment jobs are absent. I saw your website and watched you little video. I do understand providing structure protection, but telling people that they can defend their own homes? That is just criminal ! You put on a one hour siminar on what? Fire behavior? Fire weather? lookout situations? I really doubt it. You wanna teach these people something, pretreat way before the fire gets there and get out. What do you think is gonna happen when these people get smoke inhalation, minor burns, what do you think is gonna happen when they have realized they got themselfs in too deep? Panic, fear, thats how people die. And if they do not die, they will sue. Like I said , structure protection is a good I idea, private companies should have a shot as long as they have communications and let Fire know they are on a incident, proper equipment and training. Do not let people stay in their homes! Treat and get out! They are just possesions, not worth homeowners lifes.

Aside from some typos, etc., this firefighters’ opinion is I’m sure very heartfelt and sincere. I know this attitude is prevalent throughout the fire service. What’s lacking, unfortunately, is the firefighters’ understanding of what a “Stay to Defend” policy entails. Anyone who has taken our “Stay To Defend” class can attest to the requirements that go into the preparation, prevention, and then fire protection that is necessary to be fully capable of defending one’s own property.

The difference between the traditional fire service and me is this: I don’t think non-firefighters are so stupid that they can’t make informed decisions. If someone wants to leave early, a wise move, so be it. But don’t take away the right of a homeowner to defend their own property, and maybe their neighbors: particularly when a person has taken adequate precautions and is well prepared.