An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | July 23, 2008

Oregon National Guard prepares for fire season

By Oregon National Guard

Salem, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard plans to activate more than 300 Guard members to attend Firefighter II certification training at three sites in Oregon. The weeklong training begins July 27 and provides additional trained resources for the fire season in Oregon.

"We've seen very active fire seasons for our neighbors to the north and south, and we may face a similar situation in Oregon," said Gov. Ted Kulongoski. "We have robust resources already in place, but I want to ensure we have the ability to respond with additional support if needed.

"That's why I've asked the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon Military Department to work together and train our citizen-Soldiers and Airmen."

The week-long training includes two courses teaching wildland fire behavior as well as other entry-level safety and firefighting skills.

After certification, the Guardsmen can be deployed on 48-hour notice to wildfires as members of 20-person firefighting hand crews if the governor declare a state of emergency. They will be used primarily to strengthen firelines and support agency firefighters.

Other states may also be able to call on them through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) if they are not needed in Oregon. The EMAC is a formal agreement among several states and territories to provide mutual support during emergencies.

National Guard resources are called to assist when all commercial resources have been exhausted.

"Containment levels are increasing in California, and Oregon is having a slower fire season, but the potential for fires is still there," said Kulongoski. "This training is about being fully prepared."

The training cadre includes personnel from the Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, and Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. Training will take place at Camp Rilea near Astoria, at the Pendleton Armory in Pendleton, and at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls.

Oregon recently provided support to California through EMAC by sending crews and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The dual-rotor CH-47 is able to precisely drop 2,000 gallons of water from a bucket suspended below the aircraft.

The U.S. Forest Service and the state of Oregon are funding the training.

 

 

Related Articles
Virginia National Guard aviation crews assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, train on aerial fire suppression with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters equipped with water buckets March 12, 2025, during a prescribed burn at Fort Barfoot, Virginia.
Virginia National Guard Aviation Crews Train on Firefighting
By Cotton Puryear, | March 28, 2025
FORT BARFOOT, Va. - Virginia National Guard aviation crews assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, trained on aerial fire suppression with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters equipped with...

Virginia National Soldiers assigned to the 237th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, stand together in front of the ‘Eleven Row’ anti-vehicle obstacle they constructed to demonstrate U.S. counter-mobility tactics for Finland’s Kymi Engineer Battalion.
Virginia Guard, Finnish Counterparts Train at Arctic Forge 25
By 1st Lt. Nathan DeGallery, | March 28, 2025
KOUVOLA, Finland - A platoon of Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 237th Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, participated in cold-weather training with the Finnish...

Nebraska Army and Air National Guard recruiting and retention specialists exchanged ideas and best practices with their counterparts from the Czech Armed Forces during a State Partnership Program engagement Feb. 25, 2025. The exchange focused on maintaining strength in their respective military departments.
Nebraska Guard, Czechs Share Recruiting and Retention Tips
By Kevin Hynes, | March 27, 2025
LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Army and Air National Guard recruiting and retention specialists exchanged ideas and best practices with their counterparts from the Czech Armed Forces during a February State Partnership Program...