Gratitude for our hard-working firefighters
Some may say, "They were only doing the job they're paid to do," but the Moorpark Acorn would like to thank the firefighters and sheriff's deputies who gave so much of themselves to protect our city during the recent fire.

The fire of 2003 was so wide spread and so close to reaching personal property that some people had asked "Where are the firefighters?" But that was not the case this time around.

The Arroyo Vista Park on Tierra Rejada Road once again became command central. So many fire departments were involved in the fight that the area resembled a tent city. Bright red signs helped people easily find special coordinative departments such as Safety Training. Telephone and computer communication were established and an Internet-equipped room was set up for outofarea firefighters and support personnel who chose to seek motel accommodations.

Walking through the temporary complex, one could read badges and patches with the names of the cities and counties that had sent reinforcements to Moorpark's aid.

Besides the Ventura County Fire Department, other agencies, cities and counties that contributed include: the state Office of Emergency Services, the Vandenberg Strike Team; the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Kern and Santa Barbara; and the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Montebello, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, West Compton, Clovis, Beverly Hills, Orchid, Corona, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Shandon, Paso Robles, Santa Maria, Buellton, Los Alamos, Santa Paula, Guadalupe, San Gabriel and Moro Bay.

More than 1,700 public safety employees had a hand in the defense of our city and the outpouring of gratitude was evident. Just outside the staging area and behind the high school, four hand-drawn signs were taped to a chain link fence. The signs expressed students' heartfelt "thanks" to the men and women who faced 70 mph winds to squelch what could have been a much larger disaster.

The Moorpark Acorn wishes to add its appreciation as well. Firefighters, the city of Moorpark once again salutes you.