Daily, our Modesto Fire Department’s commitment to duty and selfless service is fully displayed. Whether they’re courageously entering burning buildings to combat fires or responding to service calls, their dedication to our community is evident.
However, sometimes that call to action comes from beyond the City, and in moments of desperate need, our firefighters step up and answer the call with unwavering dedication. Recently, that call to action came, and the Modesto Fire Department (MFD) sent a Strike Team to Southern California to assist with the devasting L.A. wildfires. The team was deployed to help battle the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire, which together burned over 37,000 acres of land and destroyed more than 15,000 structures.
Between the Eaton and Palisades fires, more than 220 strike teams, 1,100 fire engines, and 4,500 firefighters were deployed from California and seven Western States. Firefighters were even deployed from Canada and Mexico to assist. From the Modesto Fire Department, a total of 13 members were deployed, with five assigned to the Eaton Fire and eight from the hazardous materials team assigned to the Palisades Fire.
The combined efforts of firefighting teams across California were crucial in addressing the wildfires, which were worsened by drought conditions, low humidity, and winds reaching up to 80 miles per hour.
Modesto Fire Department, Battalion Chief Jeff Serpa, was assigned as the strike team leader. As a strike team leader, he has numerous responsibilities, from attending daily briefings, to briefing the team on the Incident Action Plan (IAP), to logistical support for the team, to maintaining communications with Cal OES. Of all his daily responsibilities, he says his most critical task is caring for his team members, keeping them safe, and bringing them home.
We asked Battalion Chief Serpa some questions about his most recent experience assisting with the L.A wildfires.
Could you walk us through some of the things you witnessed?
Chief Serpa: There are not too many words that you use to describe the level of tragedy and destruction we witnessed. Unfathomable and cataclysmic are two that come to mind. Our team was able to save dozens of homes and businesses during the most extreme conditions: 60-80mph winds and choking smoke that turned day into night. Unfortunately, we lost approximately two dozen homes in just our area. Being engaged like we were, we didn’t have an opportunity to see any of the other areas. Our shift on Friday, January 9th showed us the true gravity of the situation. We were assigned to the area of Altadena that was hardest hit, mopping up hot spots and securing natural gas meters.
Imagine the area of Modesto, north of Briggsmore and Pelandale, completely leveled. No homes. No businesses. Street after street, neighborhood after neighborhood, completely leveled. The only thing left standing were the chimneys. That is what we witnessed. It is estimated that over 9,400 structures were damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire. Even worse was the toll on human life. 17 members of the community were lost during the fire. The Eaton Fire is now the second most deadly and destructive fire in California history – second only to the Camp Fire in Paradise during 2018.
How did you all manage to rest to be able to keep going?
Chief Serpa: We were notified and dispatched late in the evening of January 7th. We assembled and left Stanislaus County around 11:30pm. The team drove through the night, arriving at the Rose Bowl ICP around 7:00am the following morning. We were immediately assigned to structure protection in the City of Altadena, just north of Pasadena. We worked all day and into the night, saving dozens of structures. We were finally relieved after 56 hours on the morning of January 9th. We were honestly working so hard to save people, homes and businesses to be concerned with how tired we were. There were a few energy drinks and cups of coffee there to keep us going!
How do you ensure that your team recovers from such a demanding and devastating assignment?
Chief Serpa: As firefighters, we take it personal that we couldn’t do more – save those lives that were lost, save just one more home or business. At the same time, we must balance that with factors that were working against us – 60-80mph sustained winds, residents that did not evacuate, and dozens of burning structures. We must realize that we are human and can only do so much. As the leader of the strike team, it is my job to put this into perspective for our firefighters. Showing them all the good they did helps overcome those intrusive thoughts that we didn’t do enough.
As leaders of the team, we facilitate getting them fed, decontaminated (showers), vehicles fueled, supplies replaced, and get them rested. On the mental health side, we do constant check-ins with each member of the team. The incident had peer counselors on hand to assist with any needs that the team may have had. Therapy dogs, such as MFD’s Hudson and Fuse, were also in base camp to assist. We also have the crew members keep in touch with family back home.
Do you feel like you were well prepared to assist with a wildfire of this magnitude?
Chief Serpa: Our team was well prepared for this assignment. We had all different levels of experience in our team, from seasoned veterans to members on their first assignment. It was one cohesive team that worked very well together. Our training is the best method to prepare us for an assignment like this. Our MST training staff to an amazing job of providing us good, quality training. In addition, attending and providing training such as the dozer academy and the joint Stanislaus County wildland drill gives us skills that we were able to use on this deployment.
What is your biggest takeaway from this wildfire that you could share with our community here in Modesto?
Chief Serpa: My biggest suggestion from this deployment to the members of our community is this: be prepared. While the chance of an incident of this magnitude happening in Modesto is small, being prepared is key. Signing up for emergency notifications at StanEmergency, keeping a “go bag” with your medications, important documents, credit cards and a change of clothes is a good start. Understanding the difference between an “evacuation warning” and “mandatory evacuation” is critical. When residents stay behind, they not only risk their lives, but those of first responders who go back in to rescue them when the fire or natural disaster arrives. When the notice comes to evacuate, heed that warning and leave. Don’t forget your pets. Part of your plan should include taking them and the supplies you need to care for them. Whether it’s a fire, flood, or other natural disaster, being prepared is key to success and survival. In the end, our team returned to Stanislaus County safe and grateful to have been of service to those in need. City and County leaders should be proud of the work that these men and women did under such extreme conditions. They represent the best of our community. They are out on the streets each and every day providing the best possible service, whether it’s here in Modesto and Stanislaus County, or deployed to another community in need.
The Modesto Fire Department’s participation exemplifies the spirit of mutual aid among California’s emergency services, highlighting the importance of statewide collaboration in times of crisis.
For more information, contact:
Sonya Severo
Public Relations and Legislative Affairs Manager
209-497-0075
Email Sonya Severo