Tech Rescue Trainers photo
Just as one local firefighter returned from spending a week fighting the Woolsey fire, another firefighter left to do his part in the Camp fire in northern California. County Fire Battalion Chief Scott Tuttle left November 9 and spent a week on the line protecting structures in Thousand Oaks and West Hills. Firefighters battling the blaze spend 24 hours on and 24 hours off. Tuttle returned to the Morongo Basin November 16. On Monday, November 19, County Fire Battalion Chief Donnie Viloria and Assistant Fire Chief Dan Munsey of Yucca Valley left for a two-week assignment to the Camp fire. Managing editor Tami Roleff says their mission will not be fighting fires, however…
County Fire Battalion Chief Donnie Viloria, one of two chiefs stationed in the Morongo Basin, is the leader of a 29-member platoon of an urban search and rescue team. He and his team, to include Assistant Fire Chief Dan Munsey of Yucca Valley, were mobilized early Monday morning to go the Camp fire in northern California to search for human remains. Viloria said the Butte County Sheriff’s Department is overwhelmed and doesn’t have the resources to search the large number of buildings for residents who may have been killed in buildings that were destroyed in the fire. Viloria said he wouldn’t know until this morning when they show up for their first assignment if they’ll be assisted by search dogs or heavy equipment in their search for human remains. The team has committed to serving for two weeks, although he added that they could be sent home earlier if they’re not needed.
