California Conservation Corps plays crucial role in firefighting efforts
By Flint Adam, NewsChannel 3
July 17, 2006

The Sawtooth Fire base camp in Yucca Valley has been a busy place the past week. So busy, firefighters have little time to take care of themselves or their campgrounds. That's where a special unit comes in, one firefighters say they couldn't do without.

At the Sawtooth Fire base-camp at Yucca Valley High School, it's easy to overlook the people washing down a table or picking up the trash. But these people played an important role during the Sawtooth Fire response. They helped keep firefighters going.

"We provide a very vital part of giving them relief in knowing that someone is here taking care of some of the small things."

Reed is a member of the California Conservation Corps, or the 3-C's, as firefighters call them. And firefighters say a base camp just isn't a base camp without them.

About 3,000 personnel have been stationed here over the last week and during this entire period, about 70 CCC members have taken care of them.

"They do all the work that needs to be done. They do it promptly with a good attitude. We really would be lost without them."

The CCC has been around for about thirty years and Captain Reed has been part of the corps for most of those years. He says the program is about more than just helping firefighters, it's about helping some troubled young people find direction.

"We're learning team skills, we're learning team building, we're learning how to work together."

It's been a positive influence in Angel Oilia's life. She's been in the CCC for two years. Someday soon, she hopes her time here helps her become a firefighter.

"A lot of guys, you know, they ask us, 'oh yeah, I used to work for CCC.' They give really good tips about how to get into the crew.'"

The CCC targets 18 to 24 year olds who maybe didn't get their high school diploma, young people who need a positive atmosphere. In the Corps, they learn the tools they need for a successful life.

"Now that they have all of these things, these tools now, they have a better idea as to what they want to do when they leave."

And some of them, like Jabari Williams, stay and tutor the next generation of CCC-ers, and show them what lies beyond the city streets.

"I find it an honor to take someone for the first time to the forest and away from the city they've been."

And as firefighters will attest, it's an honor having the CCC around.