California OES, Military Department Form Firefighting Strike Team

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the California Military Department are joining forces to create an all-hazards fire engine strike team, known as Team Blaze.

Cal OES is deploying a Type VI strike team of wildland-style fire engines to the State Military Department to enhance California’s Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid fleet.

With a capacity to carry a four-person crew, the engines will join the Military Department’s existing Task Force Rattlesnake hand crew program consisting of soldiers and airmen. Since the start of operations in 2019, Task Force Rattlesnake has cut, cleared and treated at-risk wildfire project areas in central and northern parts of California.

“We have always valued the California Military Department’s partnership during times of need, especially during wildfires or other natural disasters. These new engines will not only add to their capabilities, but also help augment our state’s wildfire and rescue resources more broadly,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci.

The State’s military department maintains a firefighting program at their military bases, with trained personnel providing firefighting prevention, mitigation, and protection services to California and military bases and camps.

“We are proud to collaborate with Cal OES to ensure there’s another fleet of fire engines and expert staff at the ready. This Strike Team builds upon the state’s response efforts during times of need,” said California Military Department Major General Matthew P. Beevers.

From responding to wildfires in rural settings, to protecting structures in urban areas, and performing urban search and rescue operations, these engines are outfitted to support a variety of emergency situations.

These engines add to the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System fleet of more than 270 fire engines across 60 local partners statewide that can respond to incidents of all types.

Cal OES facilitates the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System, which currently moves local government resources across the state in support of all-risk emergency response on behalf of local, state, and federal government fire organizations. Cal OES assigns local government fire agencies with fire apparatus to maintain surge capacity during day-to-day duties and major events/emergencies.

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