A seven-member fire crew from the Southeast Conservation Corps is almost half way through their fire prevention work at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
Big South Fork’s Christopher Derman said the crew is made up of veterans from the Army and Navy. Derman said the men are working with the park workers to create defensible spaces around buildings and roads.
“Well, it means a great deal to the visitors,” Derman said. “It ensures that the visitors are going to a park that is as safe as we can possibly make it with regards to wildland fires.”
Derman said the crew’s work includes removing both dead and living trees that could spread a fire. Derman said the the all-veterans fire crew is also helping with prescribed burning.
“Prescribed burning helps keep an area manageable and easily defensible in case there is a wildfire and reduces the risk of that,” Derman said. “So they help us out a great deal in those endeavors.”
Derman said the firemen already have fire fighting experience when they arrive. Derman said they will learn more firefighting techniques while living full-time the park during the duration of this project.
“Once they’re on site working with us, the training continues,” Derman said. “And so they continue to cultivate these skills and abilities while they’re on site and when they move on, they’ll move on to bigger and better things.”
Derman said the salary for the crews is paid for by the Southeast Conservation Corps. The park had to apply to get the help.
The all-veterans fire crew will be at Big South Fork through May or June.
