PCMS firefighters provide emergency backup

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- For car accidents, rescues or fires happening in a large area of Southern Colorado, there's a chance the responding firefighters will be from Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site (PCMS).

The department has mutual aid agreements with six area agencies, including Las Animas and Otero counties, the U.S. Forest Service and various local fire departments.

"If the local agencies around here get overwhelmed, they call their mutual aid partners and we respond to augment their resources," said Martin Flores, PCMS assistant fire chief.

With more resources available to help, Piñon Canyon can be a valuable asset to small departments that may be heavily dependent on volunteers.

With volunteer firefighters, response times can be longer because volunteers have to first travel to the fire station before responding to the call, said Otero County Commissioner Keith Goodwin.

"(PCMS) is staffed 24/7 … so you don't have that wait before they can go," he said. "By having the PCMS Fire Department there, it opens up the ability to get full coverage over the area better."

In February, PCMS firefighters assisted Spanish Peaks Fire Department with two house fires.

"They ended up being the main engine to pump for these two structure fires because … almost all of our stuff froze up because of the cold," said Leon Plank, Spanish Peaks volunteer fire chief and PCMS firefighter.

PCMS firefighters are also trained in rescue, wildland firefighting, hazardous materials and structural firefighting, Flores said.

The mutual aid agreements are used on a regular basis, with PCMS firefighters often responding at least once a week, he said. And the agreement can go both ways. If Piñon Canyon firefighters need help from surrounding areas, they can call.

"We have had to call the Forest Service and other agencies for help a few times when there are large wildland fires," Flores said.

The assistance offered to local departments goes beyond the first 911 call, though. PCMS also offers training to local agencies.

"It isn't just response. We offer training in structural firefighting, rescue and wildland," he said.

The agreements are also an opportunity for the Army to give back to local communities.

"It's all about customer service and how we react with the counties. When we're out and about, we're the face of Fort Carson. So, when they see us, they see a truck with Fort Carson on the side. The services that we provide just reinforce Fort Carson's commitment to being a good neighbor and to giving back," Flores said. "It's good for the community, to show that Piñon Canyon does more than just train troops."

The assistance is often a welcome addition for local fire departments.

"It just adds to the total plan of emergency preparedness," Goodwin said.

While the firefighters may respond to outside emergencies, their primary purpose is still to further the Army's training mission at PCMS.

"We have between 5,000-10,000 troops on the ground with vehicles for monthlong rotations several times a year," he said. "We do have slow times in between that, but our main mission is Piñon Canyon and the Soldiers, protecting them during their rotations. But I can also peel off guys from here, still maintaining the mission for Piñon Canyon, and helping out the outside counties and local fire departments."