Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue - plfr.org
Fire Fighting
Fire Suppression
The firefighters of Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue are cross trained in multiple disciplines, and the delivery of fire suppression services is just one of these disciplines. In addition to fighting fires, these services include everything from controlling destructive water leaks to investigating suspicious odors, from helping with windstorm damage to performing complex rescues, and much more. The fire engine serves as the platform for delivering these services. Besides being outfitted with fire hose, water and pumps, a fire engine carries a diverse assortment of other tools that assist us with completing the many jobs we are asked to perform. This includes hydraulic rescue tools, chain saws, specially designed wrenches and hand tools, pry bars, hammers, absorbent material, traffic cones, air monitors and much more. Each day, our firefighters inspect and maintain their equipment to ensure that it is ready to perform when you need it.
Because safety is of paramount concern in all of our operations, PLFR fire fighters attempt to always work in teams of two or more. Each of our fire engines is staffed 24 hours per day with a minimum of two firefighters and one officer. We may also respond to 911 calls in an Aid Unit with two firefighters. Also on duty around the clock is at least one Chief Officer who serves as the PLFR Duty Chief to manage all of our emergency responses and assets.
Wildland Firefighting
Wildland firefighting involves fighting fires that burn natural vegetation such as trees, shrubs, and grass. Wildland firefighting is primarily accomplished by state and federal crews whom have specialized training to fight these types of fires which typically occur in forested lands.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of homes built on or near forested land. This increase in homes has created a unique situation for firefighters. Wildland fires that involve structures or have the potential to involve structures are labeled as Urban Interface Wildland Fires. The problem with these types of urban interface wildland fires is that wildland firefighters are not accustomed or trained to fight structural fires, and structural firefighters are not typically accustomed or trained for fighting wildland fires. To effectively protect structures from these wildland urban interface fires, fire engines with the capability of delivering large amounts of water and foam are required. The type of engines that can deliver this capacity of water and foam are typically used by fire departments that fight structural fires.
In recent years, structural firefighters and their engines have been called on more frequently to assist with these types of fires. In an effort to make safety a priority, all firefighters who have the potential to be assigned to a wildland fire incident must have completed the basic training for a wildland firefighter. The initial basic training for a wildland firefighter (also called Red Card Certified) includes a combination of hands on and class room training totaling 40 hours. After completing the 40 hours of training, a written test must also be passed to become wildland Red-Card certified. After the initial training, a 4-8 hour refresher class must be taken each year to maintain the Red-Card certification.
Currently, Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue has approximately 20 members who are Red-Card certified. During the wildland fire season, typically between June and October, our department can be called upon for assistance fighting a wildland urban interface fire. In the past, our department typically gets calls asking for assistance in other parts of Washington where it is typically hotter and drier, which leads to more wildland types of fire.
