Preparing for the worst

With fire season getting an early start this year and several incidents already under their belts, county firefighters gathered last week for their annual meeting and training.

"This class is what's called the annual refresher," says Fire Warden Charlie Harrison, explaining that it covers everything from escape routes to communications to ensure those aspects of the job stay uppermost in volunteers' minds.

"It all ties back to that basic safety for firefighters."

It's one of the requirements for the hundred or so volunteers that serve the county.

"We rely on the state to teach it, though we ha...