Behind the Badge
Scores of people showed up Saturday, June 30, for a “Baby Goat Party” hosted by Anaheim Fire & Rescue.
They waited in line to mingle with 100 or so baby goats and their 60 mama goats that protect the hills of Anaheim by chewing up vegetation near homes that are vulnerable to wildfires.
The baby goats are the offspring of a herd of about 180 Boer, Spanish, and Nubian goats who are clearing vegetation in Deer Canyon Park in Anaheim.
People line up as they get ready to pet the goats in front of Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s Station 10 during the “Baby Goat Party” on June 30.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
AF&R contracts with Environmental Land Management to use goats to gobble up fuels that would feed a brush fire.
At the free event, held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside Station 12 on E. Monte Vista Road, children and their parent enjoyed petting time with the goats, and AF&R had several activities for the children, including making goat dolls out of paper plates.
AF&R personnel were on hand to give tips to residents about how to better protect their homes from wildfires.
Alyssa Loncaric, 6, left, and her friend, Olivia Parrott, 7, both from Anaheim Hills, mingle with the goats in front of AF&R Fire Station 10 during the department’s “Baby Goat Party.”
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Nadine Anderson came to the event with her son, Desmond, 2, and a friend who has three children. Her friend told her about the first-ever “Baby Goat Party.”
“She thought it was a great opportunity for kids to see what goats can do (to aid in fire-safety efforts),” Anderson said.
Desmond was in goat heaven.
“They’re adorable,” Anderson said. “They made his day.”
Anderson said she will be back for sure if AF&R hosts another such event.
“Good luck and be safe, little goats,” she said.
AF&R Community Engagement Specialist Natali Rudometkin gets a goat hug before the start of Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s “Baby Goat Party” at Station 10 on June 30.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Salomeh Yazdianpour and her family were victims of the devastating Canyon Fire 2 in October 2017. Her home was badly damaged, and she and her family, currently renting, aren’t expected to move back for another three months.
“It’s a long process,” Yazdianpour said.
Yazdianpour brought a daughter to the “Baby Goat Party,” and said it’s critical for homeowners to take preventative steps in the event of a fire.
“I really appreciate the firefighters,” Yazdianpour said. “They’re amazing and very brave…. I’m really happy these goats will be eating the bushes behind our home.”
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Station 10 hosts a “Baby Goat Party” for the public.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Girls from the OC Batbusters softball league gaze at the large collection of goats before their turn to go in, past the fence, to pet the goats during AF&R’s “Baby Goat Party.”
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Desmond Anderson, 2, of Orange and his mother, Nadine, get up close with a baby goat held by Susan Bruegman, Orange County Family Justice Center Foundation board president and the wife of AF&R Chief Randy Bruegman.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Cheryl Casanova of Anaheim brought her daughters, Claire, 5, left, Adeline, 8, and Amelia, 5, to the “Baby Goat Party” in front of AF&R Fire Station 10.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Five-year-old Lucia Duncan of Anaheim Hills gets a lift from Anaheim Firefighter Paramedic Dan Lambert as she tours a fire engine during the “Baby Goat Party.”
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Goats gather for their breakfast in front of AF&R Fire Station 10.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Risk Reduction Officer Justin Day holds a baby goat as kids run up to pet him during AF&R’s “Baby Goat Party.”
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
