July 28, 2018 - When a 20-person strike team rolled into Snyder Ridge last week, team members were tasked with protecting homes and structures within the evacuated community near Jerseydale from the Ferguson Fire. When community members were allowed to return to their homes July 26, the same strike team was assigned to assist residents and allay fears from smoke seen in the distance.

“The community had been through a lot, and tensions were still pretty high,” said Larry Madoski, team leader for the Office of Emergency Services’ Strike Team 4803A. Throughout the day, the team composed of firefighters from Manteca, Turlock and Modesto municipal departments, as well as Lathrop-Manteca and Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Districts, went door-to-door to check on residents.

In addition to providing the latest information about the fire, team members helped residents clear away ash and debris, clean refrigerators of spoiled food and move appliances to what limited sources of electricity were available. And while not normally the role of a firefighter, team members also repaired a damaged chimney, helped residents with light yard work, and even provided food for stray and abandoned animals.

“Just because a fire has left an area doesn’t mean we stop caring about the community or that our work is done,” Madoski said. “I really have to tip my hat to an outstanding job done by each firefighter of this crew. It takes a team.”

Firefighters from the Office of Emergency Services’ Strike Team 4803A assist residents as they return to areas previously evacuated.

The team composed of firefighters from Manteca, Turlock and Modesto municipal departments, as well as Lathrop-Manteca and Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Districts,

Photo courtesy of Strike Team 4803A

Source: USFS