Let It Burn ?

In the late afternoon the department I belong to was dispatched to a working structure fire in a sparsely populated area classified as a Wildland Urban Interface upon arrival of the first unit the sizeup was reported as fully involved. first due engine and water tender were more than 20 minutes away. Minutes after command was on scene it was decided by IC to let the structure burn as it was determined to be a total loss. So this morning we were paged to the same location for a brush fire! Granted we have approximately 2 ft. of snow on the ground this brush fire has the potential of becoming a forest fire. I am writing this post out of anger because I was trained to put a fire out completely and to be paged out for a second time to the same location shows a lack of competence and professionalism on not only the department but command as well.Had I been IC on the incident it would have been put out the first time! Your thoughts ?

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Permalink Reply by Robert Bates on March 1, 2013 at 9:20am

While technology is a great addition to the fire service what puts out the majority of fires is still two things manpower and suppression agent. Technology cannot fight all our battles here or we would be out of business. Boots on the ground with the proper equipment are the key to extinguishment and safety.

Also FYII - Russ I had not seen anywhere that you were in rural Alaska