Under “unified command,” firefighters spend more time waiting, less working
By Megan Matteucci
Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville)
Copyright 2007 The Florida Times-Union
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Wildfires know no jurisdictional boundaries.
But while the fires in Southeast Georgia are now being fought under a “unified command” structure, control over assignments and resources has been at times confusing.
Savannah firefighters spent the first two days of their deployment to the wildfires waiting for an assignment.
Southside (Savannah) firefighters spent more than half of their four-day trip sitting rather than battling flames.
That’s not because they weren’t ready. It’s because the commanders were not ready for them.
As the wildfires in Ware County and beyond have grown, state and federal authorities have been called in to help.
“We’re under unified command. There is no lead agency,” said Kris Eriksen, manager of the joint information center in Waycross. “The initial agency was Georgia Forestry [Commission] because it started on their land. But it grew, and Georgia Forestry called in more resources.”
The agency put out a call to firefighters from Ware County, neighboring communities and any department willing to assist.
The situation grew more complicated when the fire spread to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, which is federal land, Eriksen said. It falls under the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
“Georgia Forestry has responsibility for the private lands and Georgia land. The feds run the swamp. It’s a unified command and the cost is split,” Eriksen said.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency got involved May 2 when Gov. Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency in 21 counties, Eriksen said. The agency sent out a call for help, which Southside Fire/EMS answered.
“At times, GEMA was in control. At times, Georgia Forestry was in control,” Southside Assistant Chief Hugh Futrell said. “It was confusing, but that’s not my concern. GEMA put out a call for help and we answered.”
Then the Georgia Mutual Aid Group, which represents 82 fire departments in the state, asked for help. Savannah Fire and Emergency Services responded,, Capt. Thad Dixon said.
Now, more than 1,500 firefighters are in South Georgia, and many are unsure who will be signing their checks. GEMA is supposed to reimburse the fire department for the firefighters’ salaries and the mileage, said Capt. Matthew Stanley, spokesman for Savannah Fire.
While many supplies have been donated, hundreds of meals, hotel rooms and other expenses still must be covered. GEMA says it is waiting for the federal government to pick up the bulk of the tab.
“FEMA awarded some fire suppression grant money to the state of Georgia and the local governments, but it’s not in yet,” said Ken Davis, spokesman for GEMA. “It’s a 75 percent federal reimbursement. The remainder will be paid for by state and local agencies.”
As of Wednesday, the bill for the Ware County fires alone was $19 million, Eriksen said.
FEMA officials could not be reached for comment.
They Just Want to Work
For now, firefighters say they are not worried about getting paid. They just want to work.
The Savannah Fire team arrived in Jesup around 1 p.m. Tuesday. Then, they sat in a church parking lot for the next four hours, waiting for the contingent of firefighters from across the state.
They drove to the Wayne County Airport for their assignments. However, there weren’t enough hotel rooms ready, and the 100-plus firefighters had to sleep in tents.
They were scheduled to start working at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Instead, they spent the day waiting for another assignment. On Wednesday afternoon, they were sent to Willacoochee, where they were scheduled to spend the night and start working Thursday morning.
“Two of the five task forces are working. We hope to be out soon,” Dixon said Wednesday evening.
The Southside Fire/EMS team, which included 13 firefighters and paramedics, spent four days in Kirkland protecting several homes. But more than half of their time was spent waiting at staging areas, Futrell said.
“People think you’re supposed to be fighting fires, not sitting around. But our 12 stations in Chatham County are all manned 24 hours a day. Most of the time, they are waiting for a call,” he said. “The only difference is: We’re not at a station.