Kyle Reed, the fire prevention specialist for the Douglas Forest Protective Association said they’ve had to make adjustments to their hiring and training process to align with social distancing.
Fire officals in douglas county are starting to see the impact of coronavirus as they prep for this upcoming wildfire season.
Kezi 9 news reporter evita garza shows how they've been adjusting as they hire new firefighters for the summer.
Preparing for fireseason hasn been easy in the middle of a pandemic.
"this year has been a little different with everything going on."
Fire prevention specialist kyle reed says it peak hiring season& but theye had to make some adjustments due to social distancing.
00:14 kyle reed, fire prevention specialist, douglas forest protection association: smaller class sizes than wee done in the past.
Or utilize technology where we can do some training online?
Officials from the oregon department of forestry says they already run online trainning sessions& but they say the physical tranning is the most important part.
Marcus kauffman phoner - no lower:?since the field component cannot be done, wel have to do more on purpose, on the job training in a physically distanced environment?
Right now, d-f-p-a has 35 firefighters on staff.
Reed says they plan on hiring at least 120 for wildfire season and theye their adamant about reaching that goal.
He says theye limiting the use of out of town firefighters to reduce travel... so they may be left with smaller crews to work with.
That's why reed says they're heavily relying on their local firefighters this year.?wee brought people in from all over the county.
Even canada, australia, in other places to help with those fires.
That not a possibility this year?
1:10 evita:?even though less firefighters may be gearing up this season due to the covid-19 pandemic, reed says theyl be ready for anything?
Until fire season starts& reed says theyl continue to prioritize social distancing, whether that in the office or on the scene.
In roseburg, evit garza kezi 9
Fox 4's annual hurricane special will air tonight, and preparations this year focus not only on the storm season ahead, but also..
The pandemic has forced officials to make changes to this year's hurricane season preps.
