By Andrew Silva, Staff Writer
San Bernardino County Sun (California)  

RUNNING SPRINGS, Calif. — The rugged men and women who fight forest fires are accustomed to the Spartan conditions in fire camp - long lines for food, portable showers and sleeping under fire trucks.

But an oasis of the 21st century is available to commanders of the San Bernardino County Fire Department, thanks to its modern, tricked-out mobile command post at the Snow Valley Ski Resort near Running Springs.

We're talking high-definition televisions with satellite service, Internet access, a remote-control TV camera perched on a rooftop mast, a weather station and an array of radios.

The big, red command post, resembling a beefy recreational vehicle, is complemented by two other trailers that also serve as mobile command posts.

There's even a fold-down bed, not that any self-respecting fire commander would snooze in relative luxury while the troops crash on the asphalt outside.

One of the televisions is mounted outside, allowing firefighters to watch the feed from television news helicopters. It can be helpful to see what the fire is doing.

After spending weeks on the line, as things settled down Sunday and Monday night, guys and gals were able to crowd around outside the van and take in the evening football games.

"A lot of guys are gone for weeks and weeks," Battalion Chief Alan Stocker said.

Being able to watch a football game for a few minutes is a nice break from the exhausting rigors of the fire line.

But the big vehicle is not a toy.

It was purchased last year with a $730,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

It features equipment that allows radios of different frequencies to communicate, often a problem on big, multiagency incidents.

One side of the van is a communications room with six to eight stations, each with a programmable radio.

The other side can be used as a conference room or a well-lit and comfortable work area.

Internet access allows information to be received and quickly transmitted, including up-to-date maps and lists of personnel and equipment.

The cupboards are almost all erasable white boards, which are good for meetings.

"This helps make the field forces more effective," said Steve Hansen, a Fire Department spokesman.

It may take a while for veterans to take full advantage.

When he arrived at the Butler II fire, Stocker did his usual paperwork, by hand, in his car, under the dome light, just as he's done for years.

"Then I stepped out and saw both these command trailers here," he said. 

Copyright 2007 MediaNews Group, Inc.
All Rights Reserved