While dispatched in Oregon, the crew would be on the fire for 14 hours out of their day. (Photo/Submitted) 

Sara Stadem | Editor 

On Sunday, Sept. 27, the Colton Fire and Rescue Engine 6-1 started their journey back home after 14 days of assisting with the Echo Mountain Complex Fire in Oregon. Those on board included Assistant Fire Chief Jerrit Pedersen, Colton Firefighter Gerrit Pedersen and Highmore Firefighter Prentice Bast. 

The crew was gone for 20 days on this dispatch which included 14 days on the fire, three days travel out and three days travel back. 

Assistant Fire Chief Jerrit Pedersen, who joined the fire department when he was 18 years old, following in his parent’s footsteps, is not new to being dispatched. “Back in 2010 in the Black Hills, they were shorthanded and we were able to go out there when they were looking for help,” said Pedersen. 

A fire department and crew need to get certified to be able to leave their home area. The following year, according to Pedersen, the Colton Fire and Rescue did the necessary training in order to continue getting dispatched and have gotten assignments since then. 

“It’s a whole different level when you decide to go elsewhere, all of the stipulations and testing you have to take on,” Pedersen said. He explained once certified, refresher classes are required each year to remain certified. These two to three-hour classes consist of going through the training that was already received along with physical tests to confirm if a firefighter will be able to physically perform. “You have to do a pack test, 45 pounds of weights on your back and walk three miles in 45 minutes or less. If you go over, you don’t qualify,” Pedersen explained. “That’s to prove that while you are out in the fires, you can physically perform. You don’t need that on a local level.” 

In order to better help those in need, Pedersen explained a group called Coyote 1 Wildland Association was created. This is an association created by fire departments in Eastern South Dakota who have monthly meetings and wild life training together. 

Pedersen said the Coyote 1 Wildland Association is a big reason they are able to help so many others that are in need. “Not everyone will be able to leave their home area and go half way across the state or to another state to commit to fighting a fire for two weeks. So, we do a lot of crew sharing with the Coyote 1,” Pedersen stated. “Colton Fire and Rescue has eight or nine guys that are certified to fight wild life fire but they can’t always go so we call another area, Crooks, Tea, etc. and we say we need another guy and if they can send someone, they do. That is how Prentice joined us in Oregon.” 

When committing to fighting a fire for 14 days, the commitment brings an average of 16-hour days just on the fire, according to Pedersen. He explained in Oregon, their day generally started at 6 a.m. and went to 8:30-9 p.m. Then after that, he said they would have to get everything ready for the next day which would take a couple more hours. Pedersen said even though they are really long days, he would rather work more hours like that to make time go faster while he is away from home. 

This dispatch to Oregon was an interesting one for Pedersen, he said. The first fire they assisted with, there were about 200 houses burnt down he said. “It was so sad. Things were boarded off so we didn’t have any interaction with local units. It was so quiet, almost like a graveyard and it’s never felt that way before on a fire,” Pedersen said. “So, once we got to the second fire down in Colton, OR, the homeowners were there so it was better.” 

Pedersen said the highlight of this dispatch for him was being in Colton, OR. Pedersen explained, “When we pulled in (to Colton) and people saw our truck, people were overwhelmed and flocked to our truck.” Pedersen explained one day while working, a resident came over to talk to them, thinking they were from the local Colton fire department. Pedersen said, “I started talking and she said, ‘You aren’t from here, are you? You have an accent.’ She said she was in awe that we were standing behind her house from South Dakota.” 

There was also a day that the local Colton Fire Department came back and took pictures with them and invited them to their station that night. “So, it was a good experience,” Pedersen clarified. 

While gone on a dispatch, normally the crews stay in spike camps. According to Pedersen, they take an open field, set up and bring in trucks that have food, supplies, water, etc. and the crews are responsible for bringing their own tents and what they need to be in the woods for 14 days. Before COVID-19, there would be one area designated for tents which would include everyone, sometimes 500 tents, according to Pedersen. He explained now with COVID-19, they had more space and area for tents to try to keep everyone socially distanced. 

Pedersen was grateful for the fact that he was able to speak with his family daily and remain in contact with his crew back home. “Once in a while,” Pedersen said, “you get to a fire with no cell phone reception so you really have no contact with anyone and that’s really tough on the fire fighters.” 

When asked what makes it worth it, leaving family and putting your life in danger, Pedersen explained, “For most of us, I would say it’s the ability to help someone else that really makes it. When you get into the fire service, you don’t get into it to get a call at 3 a.m. in the morning to break up a fight at the bar.” He continued, “You get into it because you want to make a difference and help. When someone’s house is on fire 600 miles away and you can help stop it so it doesn’t continue, you want to be able to be there.” 

Pedersen said the main thing he wants to push is that if it wasn’t for their wives, this couldn’t be done. “We are gone for 18 plus days while they are taking care of everything at home. They are taking care of the family, picking up the pieces while we are gone for so long and that doesn’t get talked about much,” Pedersen said. 

It’s also about the employers, Pedersen clarified. “Employers are picking up the slack while we are gone and if they wouldn’t do that, this wouldn’t happen on a volunteer level. I work for the City of Colton. So, for the City of Colton to say, ‘Okay, you can go,’ is huge.” 

Pedersen said the main thanks go to all of the wives, families and employers for making their trip a success.