One fire prevention tool currently in use in our local area is a volunteer program managed by OES and CDF (Office of Emergency Services and California Department of Foresty) called VIP. Volunteers In Prevention. During Red Flag Conditions or other times of high fire activity you may see these HAM Radio Operator volunteers sitting in their vehicles beside the road. They are there to watch for fires, or for arsonists. They can relay a report to officials very quickly. Their vehicles are identified by a placard on their vehicle door with the CDF logo.
This program needs more volunteers. If you are a currently licensed Amatuer Radio Operator and would like to provide a service to our communities, tune in to thier net at 19:30 on Monday evenings, at 147.525 simplex. Or just show up at the Skillet Cafe in Phelan around 08:00 on the first Saturday of the month.
