SVFD Mutual Aid request brings much needed support
Montana Mutual Aid was established in 1995 by the state legislature in an effort to allow fire departments without existing mutual aid agreements in place to assist each other without the worry of liability issues.
The mission statement of the aid program reads, “we are dedicated to a measured and timely response to a request for assistance” and twice during the West Mullan Fire Superior Volunteer Fire Chief John Woodland utilized the service. The first call made by Chief Woodland was on Sunday night, prior to an incident command team arriving on scene, and saw several agencies briefly respond with some being hired on to fight the fire and one crew going home. The second call for mutual aid occurred on Wednesday evening when the blaze was heading towards town and threatening structures.
By 1:00 am Thursday morning 11-engines with 34 volunteers were at the Superior Fire Hall and ready to aid the efforts of the SFVD and Superior Ranger District in preventing any structure loss.
“Their engine bosses, I showed them one or two places in particular I wanted an engine, but for the most part their engine bosses really made a lot of the decisions on how to stage and where to set up on their particular assignments,” Chief Woodland said. “It worked pretty seamlessly and we had lots of great protection there. “
The volunteer crews who responded were from all over the state and according to Chief Woodland “very experienced” which not only enabled them to handle difficult situations such as overhead power lines and heavy fuel loads, but enabled Chief Woodland to breathe a sigh of relief.
“It’s tremendous,” Chief Woodland said. “It’s all the difference in the world on a whole bunch of levels. I worry about if I put all of my equipment out on that fire line what do I do if somebody makes a call because they burned the roast.”
One such incident occurred when Chief Woodland was returning home from a morning briefing and the SFVD responded to a grease fire at Durango’s (the fire was quickly contained).
“I still need to always remember that I need to cover my community and when I am sitting there saying, ‘I don’t have enough stuff to put up there for what’s coming at it from this fire and yet other things can happen and I need to be prepared for that as well ‘it’s a little daunting,” Chief Woodland said. “Having this help lifts a lot of that load and it’s ok now I have what I need to do my job.”
Personnel from the mutual aid request were on scene for approximately 24-hours and when they were relieved of duty on the West Mullan Fire, members of their respective communities arrived to drive the engines back.
“It’s a real warm-fuzzy feeling that hey here comes the cavalry,” Chief Woodland said of the response.
Chief Woodland added that the new taxpayer funded fire wall was invaluable to support the additional responders and the SVFD is prepared to respond to mutual aid requests any time they are needed.