A dramatic cliffside rescue unfolded on the rugged Lost Coast in Northern California as the U.S. Coast Guard saved two ...

hotshot/helishot/helitack captain and, ultimately, crew superintendent. In 1990, Fennessy joined the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) and, ultimately, became chief of department in 2015.

These positions include engine operators, hotshot crew members, handcrew members, helitack crew members, fuels technicians, fire lookouts, dispatchers, and other fire support positions.

The helitack leader believes that, no matter what happens with the legal challenges and the staffing cuts, the government’s preparations for fire season will be delayed. “Even if they could ...