I've been watching the Southern California wildfires. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be on the front lines fighting such a fire. Well, I'm meeting with somebody who does know.

I’m inside the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department with Greg Frick. He’s been a member of the department for almost 40 years. He's also a longtime member of a Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry program that sends trained personnel to help battle wildfires that are blazing out of state.

"I've been in 17 different states fighting fire. Some of them several times,” says Greg. “I've been to the State of Alaska fighting fire. Montana. One of my favorites. People treat you real good."

Of course, Greg has been paying attention to the wildfires that have been raging in the Los Angeles area. He knows the conditions the firefighters are confronting.

"It's overwhelming is what it is,” says Greg. “I think the only way they are going to stop it is once it gets out away from some of those homes."

Greg has photographs of some of the areas where he and his Pennsylvania unit have been requested to help with a wildfire. There's photos of Greg in Wyoming. There’s some that were taken in Colorado. He also has a picture from the time he didn't have to travel far at all. The wildfire was in Warren County near Tidioute. The heat from these fires is intense. A light weight coat must be worn. Wearing heavy turn-out gear could be fatal. The firefighters have to walk for miles and carry a heavy pack. They also carry a chainsaw on their shoulder. So, on top of classroom and field training, these Pennsylvania wildfire specialists must pass a physical test where they must be able to walk three miles carrying 45 pounds. They must do it in 45 minutes.

"As I get older, it gets a little tougher. But, I work at it,” says Greg with a laugh.

Greg is an instructor. He teaches other firefighters about the proper use of a chainsaw at a fire scene. That teaching comes in handy when trying to contain a wildfire or a brush fire. The wildfires in California continue to burn. Greg's Pennsylvania unit has not yet been called to help. Would he go?

"Oh Yeah,” says Greg. “I love it. I love it."

 Greg says the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry program, in which he belongs, has about 350 members. Greg works full-time on the maintenance staff at PennWest-Edinboro. He is grateful to the university for giving him the time to take off work and respond to fires near and far.