The Strike Team Leader certification is required to lead teams of wildland firefighters who regularly respond to some of the largest and most complex fires in state, Chula Vista Fire Department officials said
In anticipation of the dry months ahead when risk of wildfire is heightened, a group of firefighters from agencies across San Diego County trained Thursday in Chula Vista to receive the certification required to lead local wildland firefighting teams in the field.
A total of 24 students — half of whom were from the Chula Vista Fire Department — participated in the controlled-burn training that was held in an open field east of state Route 125 near Olympic Parkway, fire officials said.
To receive their Strike Team Leader certificate, the group had to use drip torches to ignite a brush fire in the designated area.
Firefighters training to become strike team leaders manage a controlled burn. (Sandy Huffaker/For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
They then had to lead an attack on the live fire with the help of five fire engines and 50 support personnel, Chula Vista Fire Capt. Eric D. Martinez said.
According to Martinez, the local training was one of only 10 expected to take place across all California fire agencies this year.
“The training is being held now before fire conditions become more dangerous,” Martinez said. “It serves as a reminder for all homeowners to prepare for peak fire season.”
Officials said they had notified nearby neighborhoods of the controlled burn and answered residents’ questions before the training occurred.