Firefighters Stand Down For Safety

Calaveras County, CA — Firefighters across the nation, including here in Calaveras County are standing down Wednesday to train for fire safety.

The 2nd annual National Firefighter Safety Stand Down means all non-emergency activity will be suspended for the day.

Locally, the Central Calaveras Fire and Rescue Protection District will join in the day´s efforts.

As normal, the district will respond to emergency calls. But between calls, there will be safety trainings and drills.

District Chief Robert Gill says the focus of the stand down is on emergency vehicle safety, including seatbelt use and driving through intersections.

Gill also wants to remind the community to keep firefighters safe by pulling to the right side of the road when they see fire apparatus or ambulances responding.

According to Gill, 106 firefighters died in the line of duty nationwide last year.

Written by Vanessa Turner.