anaheim-gazette 1964-09-09

The Fire... COUNTY BLAZE — This is the start of a fire which will eventually burn off many valuable acres of watershed. It will also kill many defenseless animals and leave many others homeless. County Warden Elmer At Mos By JIM GROTH Staff Writer County Fire Warden Osterman has issued a warning to the public that the most cal part of the fire seas from now until December. "We need the cooperation all citizens in the County serve all no smoking sign to be sure and get a b permit before doing any or burning," he said. Even with the cooperation the people, however, they will be fires in the county the county is well equipped combat them. Osterman, besides being County Fire Warden, is a State Forest Ranger. The fire-fighting costs ELMER OSTERMAN State Forest Ranger and County Fire Warden TOWER WATCH — If a fire is sighted before it really gets started, many times it can be nipped in the bud. That is the job of the fire watchtowers, located in strategic points throughout the county. It is the watchman's job to be ever on the lookout for possible signs of fires. DISPATCHER — John of the many fire stations Orange County. This is radio device that peru And Garden Warns of Fire Elmer Osterman, State Ranger, At Most Critical Point From Now By JIM GROTH Staff Writer County Fire Warden Elmer Osterman has issued a warning to the public that the most critical part of the fire season is now until December. "We need the cooperation of all citizens in the County to observe all no smoking signs and be sure and get a burning permit before doing any outdoor burning," he said. Even with the cooperation of the people, however, there still will be fires in the county. And the county is well equipped to combat them. Osterman, besides being the county Fire Warden, is also the state Forest Ranger. The fire-fighting costs are due a plan that was started in 1930 and has worked well for us ever since," Osterman explained. Population a Factor The county pays a little more than the state in the agreement. "This is because much of the area is becoming populated," Osterman explained. "We feel that we can give more service per dollar with this plan," he said. There are 16 county-owned fire stations to take care of structural and miscellaneous fire and rescue calls, and the state has six stations, including the State-County headquarters station at 1212 E. Chapman Ave. where state crews are employed and housed during fire season. lands which are of a statewide interest. The remaining areas in the valley comprise the rural unincorporated areas of farm lands, residences, factories, oil fields, and many new, large subdivisions, in addition to the various communities. Also, within these areas in recent years, several newly incorporated cities have contracted with the County for fire protection. Volunteers Organized Rural Volunteer Fire Companies, of about 18 members each, are organized in the various communities under a standard plan and are trained under the supervision of the State Ranger and his staff. er in training these panies. An up-to-date train gram is currently made on all approved method techniques pertaining types of fire fighting cues encountered in range County, and the of the various fire appl. Volunteer firemen regular salary, but are a per-call basis. They paid for two drills per day. Therefore, the operation consists mainly maintenance of the fire stations, and the drill call payments to the who respond to fire calls. Osterman praised the volunteer firemen are just as conscientious their job as the full-time be sure and get a burning permit before doing any outdoor burning," he said. Even with the cooperation of the people, however, there still will be fires in the county. And the county is well equipped to combat them. Osterman, besides being the County Fire Warden, is also the State Forest Ranger. The fire-fighting costs are divided almost equally between the County and State. "This is more service per dollar with this plan," he said. There are 16 county-owned fire stations to take care of structural and miscellaneous fire and rescue calls, and the state has six stations, including the State-County headquarters station at 1212 E. Chapman Ave. where state crews are employed and housed during fire season. This is done for the protection of forest, watershed and range DISPATCHER — John Thurman relays a call of a fire to one of the many fire stations operated by the County and State in Orange County. This is part of the selective ringing quick-call radio device that permits the County Headquarters fire dispatcher to activate the fire alarm siren system of various fire stations when needed. This system is part of the communication equipment used in the County Fire Service is maintained by the County Department of Communities. And The Result Of Fire Danger Danger, Says Fire Danger from Now Until December er in training these fire companies. An up-to-date training program is currently maintained on all approved methods and techniques pertaining to the types of fire fighting and rescues encountered in rural Orange County, and the operation of the various fire apparatus. Volunteer firemen receive no regular salary, but are paid on a per-call basis. They are also paid for two drills per month. Therefore, the expense of operation consists mainly of the maintenance of the fire trucks, stations, and the drill and per-call payments to the members who respond to fire and rescue calls. Osterman praised the work of the volunteer firemen. "They are just as conscientious about their job as the full-time work- In order to have efficient fire protection, it is necessary to maintain a 24-hour dispatch service. 3-way radio communication service with all trucks and stations, and proper staff of well-trained experienced officers. Excellent Communications A modern up-to-date selective ringing quick-call radio device permits the County Headquarters Fire Dispatcher to activate the fire alarm siren system of volunteer fire stations when needed. This system is part of equipment used in the County Fire Service and is maintained by the County Department of Communications. The fire protection plan is also a big job for Osterman and his men. "Right now we're working on our fire break program," he said. "The difference between this and the old fire break is that the foliage is thinned out instead of torn completely out," Osterman explained. "It helps out in both fire protection and soil conservation," he said. "And it also adds beauty." a per-call basis. They are also paid for two drills per month. Therefore, the expense of operation consists mainly of the maintenance of the fire trucks, stations, and the drill and per-call payments to the members who respond to fire and rescue calls. Osterman praised the work of the volunteer firemen. "They are just as conscientious about their job as the full-time workers," he said. Weather Station — Ralph Valentine repairs some of the equipment maintained at the State-County Fire prevention headquarters in Orange. The weather data is kept up to date so the headquarfers will know when the prime fire seasons have arrived.