Wildland Firefighting and the Impacts of COVID-19

Rapid Fire

Discover how Wildland firefighting has evolved this year during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In this episode, Chief Keys is joined by Deputy Chief Douglass Ferro, who oversees state and federal programs under Cooperative Fire Protection at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and Tony Petrilli, a Fire Equipment Specialist for the U.S. Forest Service’s National Technology and Development Program.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN:

• Major differences between Urban and Wildland firefighting
• How Wildland Departments adjust to COVID-19 impacts
• Wildland fires and their unique names
• Challenges with Wildland PPE during COVID-19

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Tony Petrilli is an Equipment Specialist for the Fire and Aviation Program in the U.S. Forest Service’s National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) in Missoula. In 1982, he began working for the Forestry Service as a Firefighter for the Lewis and Clark and Beaverhead National Forests. Tony has served on more than 35 fire entrapment investigation teams as a PPE Specialist, and maintains fire qualifications as a Safety Officer, Division/Group Supervisor and Incident Commander Type 3.

Deputy Chief Douglass Ferro began his 29 year fire service career in 1991 with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) where he was assigned as a Resident Firefighter before moving on to become an Engineer, Paramedic, and eventually, Fire Captain. Currently, Doug is a Deputy Chief for state and federal programs where he develops and fosters cooperative agreements and contracts with dozens of assisting agencies of CAL FIRE. Contributing to his diverse experience through CAL FIRE, Doug has also been a Training Specialist in both the Fire and Law Enforcement Recruitment Academies, a member of the Incident Management Team 4, and Lead Investigator for Serious Accident Review Teams.
ABOUT THE HOST:
Battalion Chief Keys completed a total of 31 years of service, beginning as a firefighter for a high volume station in the Bronx. As a Captain and Lieutenant, he served various municipalities including Midtown Manhattan, until settling into East New York Brooklyn, where he became Battalion Chief. Within his new role he took charge of Research and Development where he learned how new innovations are tested and introduced to the fire service.
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