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Mountain View News Saturday, September 28, 2024

PUBLIC SAFETY - SIERRA MADRE EVENTS

SIERRA MADRE FIRE DEPARTMENT 
HELPS SAVE HOMES IN MONROVIA

By Chris Bertand, SMFD Captain

The Sierra Madre Fire Department serves the residents of Sierra Madre, but when there are 
larger fires, we are called upon to help our neighboring cities, just as what other cities have done 
for us. A great example of this occurred on September 17th. That afternoon we were working 
on one of our fire engines outside the station and we noticed a large smoke column to the east. 
At the time, we did not know the source of the smoke, but we knew it was a large fire and that we 
would likely be called to respond to it. Adrenaline surged through our bodies as we waited for 
the call. We even started putting on our equipment before the alarm so we could get a head start 
on our response. THIS is what we were put on earth to do. Fight fires and keep our community 
and neighboring communities safe.

When the dispatcher’s voice came over the radio, she told us we were responding to an explosion 
in Monrovia, resulting in a house fire that was now fully engulfed in flames and beginning to 
ignite neighboring homes.

When we arrived on scene, we were assigned to the house just to the east of the house that first 
caught on fire. Because most of the fire in the first home had ignited the attic in the second 
home, our assignment was to pull the ceiling down to expose the attic and extinguish the fire. 
We worked in coordination with crews on the roof for nearly 40 minutes to put the fire out.

It was hot, dirty and extremely challenging, but very professionally satisfying to me and the 
other members of the Sierra Madre team. We were able to help our neighbors in Monrovia. 

Our response to Monrovia is an example of the automatic aid system we use here in the San 
Gabriel Valley. All fire departments in our area participate in this system to assist each other 
during large scale emergencies that require multiple fire engines and fire trucks to mitigate 
emergencies. Just as we help them in their time of need, they will respond in kind when we need 
their help. This was not always the case with the Sierra Madre Fire Department. In the past, 
when we were a volunteer fire department, we had to make formal requests to other departments 
for help. This resulted in delayed responses to our largest and most urgent emergencies.

The automatic aid system is a benefit to all participants for these larger events But one of the 
benefits that might be overlooked is the experience our firefighters get helping other agencies. 
The more emergencies we respond to, the better prepared we are at responding to emergencies 
in Sierra Madre. This helps protect the health and property of everyone in our city. It means we 
can do our best work for our residents when called upon during the most stressful and urgent 
events in most people’s lives.

I want to continue to serve the residents of Sierra Madre and provide the fastest response for any 
city in the San Gabriel Valley. I encourage you to vote yes on Measure PS to maintain a strong 
and effective local fire department.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com