What an educational and exciting trip did we have last week of September! Van Nuys Air Tanker Fire Pit in Los Angeles is an exciting place to visit and to meet some of the most intelligent outspoken people there. During our visit we learned about fires and their prevention and had a chance to peak into an exciting way of collaboration between between Disney Planes: Fire And Rescue Team and the Van Nuys Staff headed by Chief Steve Martin.
As we are in the beginning of the National Fire Prevention Week which begins its march today, October 5, it is more than appropriate to talk about the people who actually fly into the wild fires and stomp them out, protecting our homes, our forests, and supplying us with insurance that they are out there – always on guard, always watching out for us.
Did you know that –>
Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.
During our day-long visit at the Van Nuys Fire Pit, we were given such a warm welcome from their Chief Martin and the whole staff who were fire guarding that day. The most memorable part was a very personable, genuine human touch. The conversations were flowing and an equal exchange of ideas and thoughts and experiences filled the hours together.
Chief Martin also shared his exciting times during collaboration with the Team Disney when they were doing their research work before making PLANES: FIRE AND RESCUE. His excitement and even surprise about the thoroughness of research work that went into the movie was beyond a small one!
Here are some thoughts that stood out during our daily conversations with Chief Steve Martin who served as a Technical Adviser to the Disney PLANES: FIRE AND RESCUE Team. He was totally impressed with the thoroughness of the job every Disney staff performed while learning every single detail about fire-fighting planes.
So they [Team Disney Planes] came out and they met our folks just like you did today, came here to the facility. They met some of the pilots, the maintenance crew. They walked around the aircraft. They had them fire it up. They listened to the sound of it. They watched it fly. I think some of them even took a flight in it. They really, really did their homework.
They went back to the offices, called me a few weeks later, hey we miss a little something. Can we come back again? Sure, come on out. So we had been out here a few times and after that time what they did was they started sending me information what looked like early scripts. They would send me a script and they highlight, is this the proper word? Is this what terminology you would use? Is this what you would you say in this case? And a lot of times they would scratch something out and I’d say no, no we don’t talk like that. This was good. And we help them, I guess that’s what you, you know, the definition of someone being a technical adviser.
And of course I didn’t know what the final product would be until the movie came out. So the movie came out middle of summer. Next thing I know my e-mail is blowing up. I’ve got people that said, “Hey, I went to that Planes movie. And I saw your name on there.” And I’m like, “Really? They put my name on there?” And they go, “Yeah, LA County.” How big was it? Was it big? Was it going fast? Was it like after a TV show or was it real slow with something funny happening? He said, no its slow. It was big.
The one thing everybody has said to me is that “Yeah, that movie was technically correct.” Anybody in the fire service who knows from the political overtones of it to the vernacular they used during the flying or rescues or hoists, whatever it was they did, they took all those changes that we put down and gave them and did not embellish on it. Put it exactly like it was. So again, that made me feel good because the last thing I want to do is have something out there that my boss goes, “Hey, did you tell them to say that?” And you know, I wouldn’t be an assistant chief anymore.
To make it even more interesting, Chief Martin took us to the real-life fire-fighting planes that served as prototypes in Disney’s PLANES. Look at them in these pictures and read on, as you would be surprised where they’re coming from!
A STORY OF A WATER BOMBER FORM QUEBEC
Here’ DIPPER based on the Quebec Water Dropper!
I was surprised to find out that the helicopters that actually fight fires in our LA area forests are contracted and brought in from Quebec, the neighbor’s Canada!
During a fire season LA County brings in 2 rotational crews of the Quebec pilots with their helicopters. They stay at and fight fires along with the LA County Wild Fire Department throughout the fire season, then return back home to Canada. Such collaboration has been in place for the past 22 years. Did you know that?
You may be wondering, which I was, Why such partnership? It is more cost effective to use collaborative forces and partnerships than to build several of these water bombers, which go for over $30 Million a piece; then train and maintain the crew and water bombers as well. It is one the most used advantages and vivid example of how two countries work together in not quid-pro-quo, rather in a Win-Win mode!
We all got a chance to explore these superior water bombers from inside-out!
All the machines, equipment and fire-related tools were in some way or another a prototype for characters in Disney’s PLANES: FIRE AND RESCUE. The thoroughness of the Disney Research Team was unprecedented. Chief Martin commented with excitement about multiple revisions of the script and how genuinely interested the Disney people were to get it right!
Chief Martin Speaks on Making of the PLANES Movie
These are the other two helicopters that are always ready to swing into the skies and do their job in fighting fires. One of them is Erickson Air-Crane that saves lives and resources while fighting fires.
Here’s WINDLIFTER from PLANES: FIRE AND RESCUE based on the Erickson Air-Crane!
During our trip to the Van Nuys Tanker Base, we even had a chance to practice to put out small fire. I tried it long time ago, and now it was so refreshing and a good practicing skill that we need to keep updated at all times. Such practical application, like putting out a test fire is a huge step in training our minds to reach these mental resources if and when fire strikes. It allows us to act on a solid autopilot, rather than being in panic. Thank you, Firefighter Martinez, for taking us through this practical skill training like putting out a SMALL fire!
Dry Chemical or Water Extinguishers are available to us, consumers, to keep in our homes and be prepared if small fires strike. Each extinguishing system has Letter Coding that shows what kind of fires can be put out with it. Here’s a quick ABC deciphering system for you to brush up in your memory:
• A combustible materials (wood, paper)
• B flammable liquids (oils, gasoline)
• C conductivity (electric devices like toasters, computers)
Being THANKFUL for the people who fight fires every day and those who preserve our National Resources in local areas like this unique Fire Fighting base at Van Nuys Tanker Base, let’s Celebrate this National Fire Prevention Week by taking action in the following:
#1 Make a Family Evacuation Plan together with your members of the family
Gather together and discuss the importance of staying cool and composed in the case of fire. But what really would make a huge difference is the TRAINING, i.e., your home preparedness plan and discussions about How to evacuate, What valuables and medication to take with you, and Where to go in case of fire.
#2 Include Animals into your Evacuation and Fire Preparedness Plan
Find out in your local area which facilities can accommodate in case of fire. Some are for big animals and even farm animals. Other facilities are specifically designed to take in small home pets. Also make stickers and place them in visible places like windows today, to alert fire fighters that you have Pets!
#3 Prepare Supplies
Water, some basic foods, first-aid kit and medication – these would help before help arrives.
#4 Keep Your Eye on the News
Radio and Twitter, Local fire agencies, TV channels would be the go-to sources for evacuation commands and instructions.
The most important thing is to discus the first-response actions if the fire strikes. When you do get serious about fires or any disaster, and have a plan for action, it survivability rate goes up and plays as your huge advantage. Home preparedness is a must ––>
Recognize danger: Stay low, shut the door to keep insulated, move to safe spot, call 911
If you haven’t watched Disney’s Planes: Fire And Rescue, I’d encourage you to see this amazingly educational and so well-done animation with your children! Look out for its Diamond and Blu-Ray Edition coming out soon!
LOVE DISNEY MOVIES – RETWEET!
Planes #FireAndRescue Has Its Roots At Van Nuys Air Tanker http://t.co/DZ7N4oBccM http://t.co/8zHeGsIUdv #DisneyInHomeEvent @DiscoverSelf
— Celebrate Woman (@DiscoverSelf) October 5, 2014