Welcome to my CDF/Cal Fire Registry History Page. My name is Chris Evans , and this is a short Historical perspective of my time with the organization. My Training, Assignments, Calls, Incidents and Adventures that I recall as vivid memories. My co-workers and friends often called me .
My First Assignment with CDF began in : 1972. I Retired in : 2010
Assigned Work Locations : I worked in San Diego, Orange and Riverside for 12 years. Red Mountain, Miller, De Luz, South Laguna, Mission Viejo, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and Bermuda Dunes
Favorite Assignments : Every assignment was GREAT and each for a different reason. Schedule B with SFR 1 Charles “Shorty” Compton, CDF legend and inventor of the forestry hose clamp for progressive hose lays, great captains, getting in on Orange’s paramedic program fairly early and along with John Clark being one of Riverside’s first medics. There was ton’s of fire in the desert and alot of responsibility at one man stations!
Most Interesting Calls : Sadly being on a brush fire in SD in 73 when another engine lost a crewman—-conflagrations in the low desert of Riverside—sticking big needles in the left ventricles of full arrest patients way back when we thought it was a good thing to do…(things change!)— I remember in the early 70’s when we were ordered to be “replacement firefighters” (eg scabs) in San Mateo’s Fire Dept strike in the early 70’s. The Dry Falls Fire in Riverside…..that was a ripper! I remember a structure fire call from Cathedral City one night at o dark hundred when i was an engineer on engine 34. It was me and one volunteer Jose Mercado. We saw the fire a mile away as we left the station and once on scene had 4 large house fully involved in about a 45 knot wind! 3rd alarm and then some……….There were so many other calls of note including playing a part in resuscitating a 7 year old boy who was in full arrest after bleeding completely out in Mission Viejo. A save after 45 minutes of cpr, defibrilating many times, a mast suit, and a VERY hard time on the iv, we had a save. We all attended the lads 8th year birthday party- home– no brain damage—- It was a privilege to be part of a team that got to assist in THAT miracle…I only did 12 years in CDF but I feel like I have a million great stories about calls, people, places etc. I worked with one incredible professional after another, characters all!
My thoughts about my time with CDF and some Comments for those considering joining CDF/Cal Fire : After 12 years I left CDF after passing the bar exam and going to the DA’s office where I spent the rest of a career until I took a judicial appointment in Orange. I retired after a total of 31 years combined in 2010. My CDF years were by far the best work years of my life. I loved the folks i worked with and the adventure which I NEVER took for granted. I don’t think I ever worked with a more dedicated and capable group of people. I wish I could do it again!!! I will dig up some pictures and scan them in when I figure out how to do it! Of course CDF/Cal Fire is a tremendous and varied place to spend a working life.