Veronica Qiu

A firetruck from the Palo Alto Fire Department rushes down Churchill Avenue. The PAFD deployed local firefighters to combat the wildfires in Los Angeles Country on Jan. 9. PAFD Fire Chief Geoffrey Blackshire said that even with crew members in L.A., PAFD can still ensure the same amount of coverage for fires in Palo Alto. “When we support the state with mutual aid, we do not deplete any resources that are provided to the city,” Blackshire said. “The vacancies are filled with other shift PAFD personnel, similar to when firefighters are sick or on vacation. We always maintain the same level of response to our community.”

In response to the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, the Palo Alto Fire Department is extending its stay in Pacific Palisades and is urging community members back home to be prepared in case of local emergencies.

According to Fire Chief Geoffrey Blackshire, the PAFD deployed one fire engine with four crew members and one single resource fire line paramedic. Blackshire said a firefighter was also deployed with FEMA’s Task Force 3, whose mission is search and rescue operations.

According to Blackshire, sparse resources and unpredictable weather conditions make it more challenging to contain large-scale fires.

“The biggest challenge with combating large-scale fires is having enough resources available to effectively carry out operation goals,” Blackshire said. “These resources include personnel, apparatus, water, tools, etc. Additionally, the turbulent weather makes firefighting in these conditions extremely dangerous and poses a high-risk environment for the firefighters.”

Palo Alto High School sophomore Karin Blumenfeld said she appreciates the actions PAFD have taken to contribute efforts to the fires that have affected her friends and family in Southern California. 

“It’s really great that we have the resources here to be able to help our friends and family down in LA,” Blumenfeld said. “Right now, we’re not in a dangerous situation, so we’re using our resources wisely.” 

For Palo Alto residents, Blackshire suggests being prepared for potential emergencies by being proactive. 

“Know your evacuation routes, prepare a go-bag or emergency kit with the items you need to take with [you] at a moment’s notice, make sure your smoke detectors work and practice exiting homes and places of business in the case of an emergency,” Blackshire said.

According to Blackshire, Palo Alto residents should stay up to date through online alert systems to be notified in case of an emergency. 

“I encourage our community members to sign up for the City’s emergency alert system, Alert SCC, police alerts through Everbridge/Nixle, and follow City communications via social media and website, so when there is a hazardous situation that requires action or awareness, the information is received timely,” Blackshire said.