A throng of fire, emergency and law enforcement agencies recently converged in Port Ludlow to keep their skills sharp through an intensive two-day hands-on practice session.

Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue hosted the third annual multi-agency wildland firefighting training exercise, at the now-closed “Trail Nine” golf course in Port Ludlow, during the weekend of June 1-2, which drew crews from 16 agencies, including:

• Jefferson County Fire Districts 1 from East Jefferson, 2 from Quilcene, 3 from Port Ludlow, 4 from Brinnon and 5 from Discovery Bay.

• The Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management and Sheriff’s Office.

• Clallam County Fire Districts 1 from Forks, 2 from Port Angeles, 3 from Sequim and 4 from Joyce.

• Navy Region Northwest.

• The city of Port Angeles Fire Department.

• North Kitsap Fire and Rescue.

• The Bainbridge Island Fire Department.

• The Department of Natural Resources.

Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue Public Information Officer Keppie Keplinger credited the DNR with providing “an invaluable training adjunct” in the form of one of their helicopters.

Keplinger explained the helicopter carried firefighters who are part of a “Helitack” crew, dropping them off to connect the water bucket and release water from Teal Lake, on a simulated fire at the closed Trail Nine drill grounds.

“This exercise helped firefighters gain experience in giving the pilot accurate directions to the water drop site and training with the Helitack crew,” Keplinger said. “It also allowed the crews to see firsthand the dangers associated with water-drop operations.”

Keplinger added the weekend exercise furnished area firefighters with opportunities to practice their basic wildland skills, following the required online classes.

Certificates of completion were provided to respective agencies, to be submitted to the DNR, which then issues “Red Cards” to those who earned them.

“Many firefighters either upgraded or completed the practical skills segment of the exercise, that will move them to a higher certification level,” Keplinger said.

Keplinger reiterated that Red Cards are used by state, federal and other fire agencies that work cooperatively with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), which establishes a national standard to ensure consistency in training, tactics and certification requirements.

“Due to the unique hazards and fire conditions of wildland firefighting, Red Cards are required to be obtained or renewed annually, to ensure personnel are proficient with their skills, abilities and updated information,” Keplinger said.

All Jefferson County fire districts use courses from the NWCG as part of their Red Card certification process.

Keplinger credited NWCG standards with setting forth common practices and requirements “that enable efficient and coordinated national interagency” wildland fire operations.

Keplinger relayed the National Interagency Fire Center’s predictions of above-normal wildland fire potential for the Olympic Peninsula this summer.

“It has never been more important to get firefighters trained to fight wildland fires in our area,” Port Ludlow Fire Chief Brad Martin said. “Personnel need to know how to work collaboratively between agencies, train to the same tactics and strategies, and adapt to a wide variety of fuel models, topography and conditions as seamlessly as possible.”

The potential outlook for wildfires is reviewed monthly by the Boise, Idaho agency, and posted on their website at www.nifc.gov.