SCICON honors USFS Engine 25 with award
U.S. Forest Service Engine 25 received the Friends of SCICON, Award of Merit for Services to Children, recently.
Personnel of Engine 25 were recognized for their outstanding efforts to assist with projects at the outdoor school site above Springville.
Recent projects include the repair of several foot bridgers that were damaged by high water and debris rushing down creeks crossing the property. Fire personnel assigned to the engine were able to clear the debris, secure the bridges and make needed repairs for students to have safe access.
Along with bridge repair, they have completed trail maintenance, hazard reduction and minor construction.
“The engine crew is visible and often interacts with groups of students that attend SCICON,” said Western Divide District Ranger Eric Laprice. “Their presence at this outdoor school helps promote students outdoor educational experience. We are proud to be good partners, and able to provide a service to SCICON while our Engine 25’s primary focus is firefighting, and this partnership has been successful in meeting the needs of both the Forest Service and SCICON.”
SCICON is located on 1,100 acres above Springville. Forest Service Engine 25, under a cost-share agreement, work with the staff at SCICON to complete projects around the facility that would not get accomplished without theri help. The Sequoia National Forest is able to house a fire engine and staff at the facility, a location that reduces their response time to wildfires that erupt in this area.