By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
Despite tight budgets, major fire agencies in Sacramento County will boost the number of firefighters dispatched to calls beginning July 1.
Capt. Christian Pebbles, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District spokesman, said the new regional standard operating guidelines were given a trial run this morning when a fire broke out in the garage of a townhouse in the 5600 block of Verner Oak Court in the Foothill Farms area.
Five engines, three trucks, two battalion chiefs and a medic were dispatched, in keeping with the new standards for a first-alarm response for a multifamily residential or commercial structure. That amounts to two more engines, an additional truck and 10 to 12 more firefighters than would have been sent in the past, Pebbles said.
"We had more people there faster," he said.
Having more resources on scene initially, he said, saves time and can be critical to preventing a fire from spreading to other buildings.
Along with the Sacramento Metropolitan district, the Sacramento, Folsom, and Cosumnes fire departments have adopted the new system, which is scheduled to be fully operational July 1, Pebbles said.
"The community should know that although we're in the midst of a budget crisis or economic downturn ... that the citizens are still getting the very best fire service possible," he said.
In the townhouse fire reported at 4:22 this morning, Pebbles said, the presence of additional firefighters may have prevented the fire from spreading to neighboring units.
A man living in the townhouse was awakened by his cat, and he then alerted neighbors.
Pebbles said the fire began in the garage but quickly spread into the attic. The townhouse's vaulted ceilings made it difficult to determine where the fire was burning.
Firefighting also was complicated by a gas tank leak in the garage, as fuel kept reigniting.
The fire confined to the one townhouse. Although the man and his cat were displaced, neighboring units suffered only minor damage and were still habitable, Pebbles said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The resident is a flooring contractor, and oil soaked rags in the garage are a possible source, Pebble said.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.