ERASING BORDERS: Fire agencies create new response plan

A new response plan for emergency situations has been created and implemented for Fallbrook, Bonsall, and other North County towns and cities.

"It's going to be great for Fallbrook," said North County Fire public information officer John Buchanan. "In the case of a brush fire, pretty much the world will be coming."

What the plan, which went into effect in the summer months, does is virtually erase borders previously established by agencies. Now, the emergency personnel and equipment that can get to the scene the quickest – whether it is coming from Fallbrook, Bonsall, Oceanside, or Vista – will be dispatched. That includes units from Cal Fire in those corresponding areas as well.

"There really are no borders anymore (for each agency)," said Buchanan, about the plan which has been in the works for 10 years.

"All North County fire agencies are now in the North Zone Operations Group," explained North County battalion chief Keith McReynolds. "Technically it's called a 'boundary drop,' and it has been slow to come. It means sending the closest engine and ambulance is the best idea – wherever it is coming from."

"In other words, we don't just have five (North County Fire) stations anymore [to serve Fallbrook/Bonsall]," said McReynolds. "We have 70 ."

Two things dictate how many units are sent on an emergency call – one is the type of call it is and the other is the weather condition.

"Our communications center tells us the designated weather condition of that day," said McReynolds. "We ramp up response to calls based on what condition we are working in. We will always err on the side of caution."

An example would be a report of a vegetation fire on a dry and windy day, versus a higher-moisture, overcast day.

"With more significant response, fires get extinguished in quicker fashion; that's the goal, to keep it small," said Buchanan.

The new plan means that Fallbrook/Bonsall residents can expect to see units on occasion from Oceanside, Vista, and Cal Fire in local neighborhoods, tending to an emergency situation.

"If we have a residential fire, people can now expect to see a unit from Oceanside; that won't be unusual," Buchanan said.

Fortunately, Southern California was "spared" over the summer from major fires, which plagued the northwest states, but the fire season is still active and the new 'no boundaries' approach is in the citizens' best interest.

"It's still very dry here," said McReynolds.