Hunter Army Airfield and Savannah Fire Departments Conduct Joint 'Above Grade' Training

Story by Derrick Matthews May 11, 2026 at 03:28PM On May 11, 2026, the Hunter Army Airfield and Savannah Fire Departments conducted a joint training exercise to equip brand new firefighter recruits with critical "above grade" rescue skills. The recruits gained hands-on experience navigating live-fire conditions in a burn room and executing simulated roof breaches for vertical ventilation. Beyond building technical proficiency, the joint event served to strengthen the mutual aid partnership between the military installation and the local community, allowing both departments to share tactics and build cohesive working relationships for future emergency responses.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/564949/hunter-army-airfield-and-savannah-fire-departments-conduct-joint-above-grade-training"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2605/9676703/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="Hunter Army Airfield and Savannah Fire Departments Conduct Joint 'Above Grade' Training" /></a>

Hunter Army Airfield and Savannah Fire Departments Conduct Joint 'Above Grade' Training

Story by Derrick Matthews May 11, 2026 at 03:28PM On May 11, 2026, the Hunter Army Airfield and Savannah Fire Departments conducted a joint training exercise to equip brand new firefighter recruits with critical "above grade" rescue skills. The recruits gained hands-on experience navigating live-fire conditions in a burn room and executing simulated roof breaches for vertical ventilation. Beyond building technical proficiency, the joint event served to strengthen the mutual aid partnership between the military installation and the local community, allowing both departments to share tactics and build cohesive working relationships for future emergency responses.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/564949/hunter-army-airfield-and-savannah-fire-departments-conduct-joint-above-grade-training"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2605/9676703/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="Hunter Army Airfield and Savannah Fire Departments Conduct Joint 'Above Grade' Training" /></a>

Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Fire Department extinguishes the competition, named best in DoW

Story by Kelsie Steber May 7, 2026 at 03:50PM The Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Fire Department is on fire, figuratively, after being named the Department of War and U.S. Army’s Best Medium Fire Department for 2025.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/564716/fort-stewart-hunter-army-airfield-fire-department-extinguishes-competition-named-best-dow"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2605/9670293/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield Fire Department extinguishes the competition, named best in DoW" /></a>

Maryland Guard supports search & rescue exercise with state and local first responders

Story by Maj. Benjamin Hughes May 6, 2026 at 03:15PM The Maryland National Guard (MDNG) supported a massive search and rescue exercise (SAREX) spanning 20 square miles of land and water, from the Loch Raven Reservoir Dam to Gunpowder Falls State Park, along with emergency responders from around the state, April 23, 2026. The MDNG Joint Staff coordinated the response of a CH-47 Chinook, two UH-60 Black Hawks with rescue-trained civilian firefighters of the Maryland Helicopter Aquatic Response Team (MD-HART), and two Light Medium Tactical Vehicles (LMTVs) in support of civilian authorities during the exercise to enhance Maryland’s statewide preparedness, interagency coordination, and operational capabilities.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/564560/maryland-guard-supports-search-rescue-exercise-with-state-and-local-first-responders"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2605/9654149/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="Maryland Guard supports search & rescue exercise with state and local first responders" /></a>

Low Visibility, No Hesitation: How Relentless Training Saved a Life

Story by Paul Lara May 6, 2026 at 12:45PM Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services, responding to a call from adjacent Fairfax County, in October, 2025, responded to a salvage yard fire, to discover a crane operator 50 feet overhead was overcome by smoke inhalation. Firefighters climbed the crane and transferred him to a waiting ladder. The teams were bestowed the Valor Award by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce in April, 2026.<br /><a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/564525/low-visibility-no-hesitation-relentless-training-saved-life"><img src="https://d1ldvf68ux039x.cloudfront.net/thumbs/photos/2605/9665646/250w_q95.jpg" width="250" alt="Low Visibility, No Hesitation: How Relentless Training Saved a Life" /></a>