Santa Fe Irrigation District Provides Buildings For Firefighter Training Exercise
Buildings slated for demolition to be used by Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District and other agencies for training with new firefighting equipment
April 29, 2009
RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif.—The Santa Fe Irrigation District (SFID) is hosting fire training exercises being conducted by the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, May 4-10.
SFID is providing two adjoining structures, which are scheduled for demolition, to RSF Fire and three other fire departments for use in training firefighters on new equipment and techniques that will help saves lives.
The two structures, an aging office building and a caretaker’s cottage, are to be demolished to make room for new District buildings. As such, the aging structures make for excellent training ground for firefighters.
“This is a collaborative effort that will improve the capabilities of our regional firefighting agencies,” said Michael Bardin, general manager of the SFID. “We are pleased to be involved in this worthwhile program.”
During the exercises, theatrical smoke will used to mimic actual fire conditions while firefighters complete their training. On the weekend of May 9-10, live fires will be set and quickly extinguished.
“This is great opportunity for us,” said Bret A Davidson, Battalion Chief, RSF Fire. “We have acquired equipment that helps firefighters see through smoke and find people trapped in burning buildings. These structures allow us to conduct training under controlled circumstances so that when the time comes, we will better able to not only save structures but save lives.”
The other agencies participating in the training exercise include Carlsbad, Encinitas and Solana Beach Fire Departments
Fire officials are notifying nearby residents of the fire training activities.
About Santa Fe Irrigation District
The Santa Fe Irrigation District provides water and related services to residential, commercial and agricultural customers in the communities of Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach and Fairbanks Ranch. The District serves about 22,000 customers in a 16-square-mile area. The District supplies over 4.5 billion gallons (or 13,500 acre feet) of water per year to its customers, using a blend of local water from Lake Hodges and imported water purchased through the San Diego County Water Authority. The District administers and operates the jointly owned R.E. Badger Filtration Plant, a 40-million-gallon-per-day water-treatment plant. The District has historical rights to local water supplies from Lake Hodges and the San Dieguito Reservoir. |
