Page 111 - History of the Colton Fire Department

had to defend their own budget in order to accomplish was kept to a minimum and these efforts were recognized
their goals to provide the best service for the commu- throughout southern California. All of Southern Califor-
nity. In the first couple years for Chief Hall there was nia’s theme parks, restaurants and service organizations
a brush fire within the city limits that required many air opened their doors for Emergency Service personnel and
drops in order to control the fire’s rapid spread. These their families for a while to show their gratitude. Disney
air drops were provided by the “California Department created a special piece of art to commemorate the team
of Forestry” (CDF) which has since been more simply work. With an Anaheim Firefighter posing with Mickey
named “Cal Fire”. The State of California later billed the Mouse, this would be the only picture where Mickey is
Colton Fire Department for $230,000. In the past, every looking up to someone.
city would pay these bills to the state and overlooking
the Master Mutual Aid agreement that the state had with 1994
each of those cities. Chief Hall researched the Mutual Women has always played a supportive role in
Aid agreement and convinced the city’s attorney that the many areas of the fire service. For at least 10 years now,
air drops that was provided by the State were done so as women have been training and recruited for an active fire
per the agreement. The city of Colton challenged this fighting role. At first it was tuff for a women to break
in court and won the decision. After the decision was through that physical barrier. Over the years it has be-
granted, this led to a major revolt by other cities to except
the air drops as mutual aid.

1993
Every year, California has the potential for huge
and out of control brush fires. This is a time when the
State, County and City Fire Departments all work togeth-
er to put disaster plans in action. With every fire and dec-
ade that passes, new equipment and training improve the
outcome. Improved tactics and better understanding fire
behaviour reduces the loss of life which is the primary
goal. The property destruction can still be catastrophic
when the Santa Ana winds blow through Southern Cali-
fornia. One such fire in November of 1993 proved this
to be true. It was in Malibu of Los Angeles County and it
was called the “Old Topanga Fire”. The Colton Fire De-
partment was there to witness how in a short amount of
time and a highly congested area, kayos can quickly take
over. The Property loss was much greater due to the lo-
cation and property values. Compare the statistics below
to the 2003 Old Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains
that burned over 91,000 acres, 993 homes were destroyed
with a fire loss of 42 million dollars.

Property loss of the Topanga Fire in Malibu:
Total acreage: 16,516
Structures destroyed - Single and Multiple family - 37
Detached garages - 15
Mobile homes - 12
Vehicles damaged - 11
Vehicles destroyed: 92
Total Private Property fire insured and uninsured dam-
age Value Loss $208,484,786 Chief Hendrix at his desk in June of 2008

Under the circumstances the Old Topanga Fire loss 111