Firefighters: Protecting those who defend America

Senior Airman Hector Guemarezcolon, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, prepares to accomplish morning checkout on rescue-truck equipment April 22, 2015, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Crews at the Malmstrom Fire Department operate on 24-hour shifts and must be in full gear and out the door within 60 seconds from the moment an alarm sounds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Willis)

4/27/2015 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont.  -- When the call comes in, the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron fire department is ready to respond.  Crews operate on 24-hour shifts and must be in full gear and out the door within 60 seconds from the moment an alarm sounds. The Malmstrom  Fire Emergency Services Flight provides an all-hazards emergency response capability, along with command and control for the base.

"Many people don't know that the department is much more than just dirt and water, there are many capabilities the firefighters can provide," said Tech. Sgt. Jared Dudden, 341st CES fire department station captain.

The FES flight provides support 24/7 year round by 43 military and civilian firefighters.

"Our flight is capable of responding to fires, hazardous materials releases, medical emergencies, confined space rescues, ice rescues, vehicle accidents and other rescue instances where people may be trapped," said Daniel Dodson, 341st CES fire department deputy fire chief.In addition to protecting the wing's mission, the FES flight has 49 mutual aid agreements with firefighting agencies around the county and state.  These agencies will act as first responders to any fire-related emergencies in the field.

Senior Airman James Weaver, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection driver, checks a backpack hand pump used to fight wildland fires April 22, 2015, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Malmstrom firefighters also respond to wildland fires alongside local fire departments, following Mutual Aid requests. (U.S. Air Force photo/Chris Willis)

"Our flight would respond and take over emergency response operations and provide command and control to emergencies in the missile field," said Dodson.

The FES flight also supports mutual aid requests from fire agencies surrounding the base.  In this case, they send personnel and equipment to assist with firefighting, rescue or hazardous materials emergencies.

"It's getting to be that time of year when farmers perform control fires and we are ready to aid in the prevention of a wildfire," said Senior Airman James Weaver, 341st CES fire department protection driver.

The Malmstrom FES flight mission statement is:  "Protect our installation's people, property and environment while also supporting the Global Mission."

"We provide this service first and foremost with a robust fire prevention program ensuring a safe working and living environment," said Dodson.  "There is no nobler mission than protecting other human beings from harm and ensuring mission continuation."

"Our department has the opportunity to provide expert services to such a wide-range of units," said Henderson. "One unique aspect of our department is the relationship we have with the Korean National Firefighters. It's very important as they are truly the continuity allowing our department to be successful. Like every organization here, the turnover rate of the average one-year tour can make things difficult, however we couldn't ask for more professional Korean Nationals than what we have in our department."

Currently there are 13 Korean National firefighters working alongside Airmen assigned to the 51st CES fire emergency services flight.

"We like to work alongside the military firefighters and get along well with them," said Chong Kyu Han, 51st CES firefighter. "I wish they could stay longer than one year so we can keep the teams together longer."

Short tours are one challenge Team Osan firefighters deal with while operating in settings unlike any other, and therefore require fire protection specialists with training unlike any other.

"Simply put, we train... whether it's an aircraft, vehicle, in-doors or outside, we carry a mindset not just to train until we get it right, but rather until we can't get in wrong," said Henderson. "The Airmen in our department are not told to be simply firefighters; they choose to follow their passion to save life and property."

The fire department provides assistance to the base and local community through an average of 700 emergency responses each year.

"Those you sweat and bleed with become like family in a short period of time," said Henderson.  "I need to know and trust that my brothers and sisters can and will perform, especially when my life depends on how well they trained and are able to execute."

Even the brand-new fire protection specialists assigned here have to train, endure, battle and manage a range of potentially destructive and hazardous fires.

"This is my first assignment and I couldn't be more excited," said Airman 1st Class Harley Love-Hall, 51st CES fire protection apprentice from Sullivan, Mo. "Our department and the Wing's missions are so important to the Korean Peninsula. I'm proud to be a part of defending the freedom of over 51 million people."

by Chris Willis 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs