Rancho Bernardo firefighters to enter demolition derby

Firefighters at Station No. 33 in Rancho Bernardo will soon be collecting donations and sponsorships for their entry into the Burn Institute’s 26th annual Firefighter Demolition Derby.

The derby is part of a fire and safety expo the Burn Institute puts on at the San Diego County Fair. This year’s event will be on June 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Admission to the family-oriented expo and derby are free with paid fair admission.

“It’s a great opportunity for families to come out, see what the fire department does and learn about fire prevention and safety,” said San Diego Fire-Rescue Engineer/Paramedic Jeff Phillips from Station No. 33.

Phillips said he has participated in the derby before and brought the idea of submitting an entry to the Rancho Bernardo station after joining its crew last year. He said its firefighters will need to raise at least $15,000 to cover the costs of obtaining a car, having it retrofitted to derby standards to increase driver safety and make a contribution to the Burn Institute.

The Burn Institute uses the proceeds from this event for its fire safety efforts plus its Camp Beyond the Scars, Phillips said.

Since 1994, children in San Diego County who have survived a burn injury have been able to attend a week-long summer camp where they are with other children who have experienced similar injuries that have led to permanent scarring, physical deformity, social isolation and emotional trauma. The camp gives about 50 children, ages 5 to 17, an opportunity to have fun while receiving support and counseling to establish and enhance their self-esteem, according to the organization’s website at burninstitute.org.

Phillips said they are trying to get an early start on their derby submission, likely obtaining a car by mid-February so they can work on it.

“I’ve done derby cars a couple of times in the past and it takes a lot of time and energy, so we have to get on the ball early,” he said.

Once they bring the car to the fire station in Rancho Bernardo, firefighters — and hopefully a few mechanics donating their time — will have to take it apart, retrofit it, reassemble it and then send it out for painting. The decorating process will include putting sponsors’ logos on the car.

Sponsorship levels are $250 to $499, $500 to $749, $750 to $999 and $1,000-plus. Phillips said in coming weeks he will start contacting area businesses to request sponsorships.

In addition to getting publicity, Phillips said some sponsors also get perks like being invited to join the firefighters in the derby pit.

One of the station’s firefighters — but not Phillips — will be driving the car in the derby. Phillips said this year he just plans on managing the station’s entry and fundraising efforts.

Last year, the derby had 19 entries that competed in three heats before the final round. Teams represented fire departments from throughout the county, including San Diego Fire-Rescue, which had two entries. The winning driver was from Lakeside, with Santee and Viejas coming in second and third, respectively.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Phillips by emailing him at jpphillips@sandiego.gov.