Airman Tom Krasinski, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, puts on his oxygen mask, Sept. 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. The firefighters must don all protective equipment in less than two minutes after an alarm goes off before jumping into their assigned truck. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Shawna L. Keyes)
Story by Airman 1st Class Shawna Keyes
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – Sirens blast throughout the building. Airmen jump to their feet and proceed to their assigned trucks while a voice over head can be heard …
“Alarm medical emergency”
At their trucks, the Airmen begin putting their gear on, which must be completed in less than two minutes; boots, suits, gloves, and helmet. Every second counts.
Whether it’s an in-flight, medical or fire emergency, this is the routine for these first responders, the Airmen of the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department. To ensure they’re prepared for any type of situation, the roughly 70 firefighters conduct a daily, dynamic training regimen to protect the more than 13,000 personnel and more than 100 aircraft assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
“We train, literally train every day,” said Staff Sgt. Justin Fellure, 4th CES fire department crew chief. “As firefighters, we are required to maintain our certifications, so every day we’re doing something, whether it’s to do with firefighting, either structural or aircraft, medical emergencies, or technical rescues, like repelling to a victim.”
Firefighters are on shift for 24 hours starting and ending at 7:30 a.m., with an “A” and a “B” shift swapping places. The morning starts with vehicle and equipment checks, making sure everything is good to go and then into whatever training is planned for the day in between emergency responses.
“We prepare for any emergency on any given day,” Fellure said. “We switch up the type of training to meet our certifications and stay sharp, because one false move and we could end up hurting ourselves, a fellow firefighter, or the person we’re trying to rescue.”
Airmen conduct various types of training by using smoke machines in different buildings or rooms and placing obstacles to simulate real-world scenarios. They also practice with live fire drills, aircraft drills, and repelling, which is used when all exits are blocked and the only way out of a building is a window.
With two different wings at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, the 4th Fighter Wing and 916th Air Refueling Wing, the 4th CES fire department plays host to both active duty and reserve firefighters, as well as being trained to handle flight emergencies with both the F-15E Strike Eagle and KC-135R Stratotanker.
“We’re kind of unique in that we deal with commands, two wings, two separate missions, and only one fire department to handle it all,” said Sean Quinby, 4th CES fire chief. “If it’s on this base, we’re responsible for it; the buildings, the aircraft, and the people.”
With all the assets they protect and the long shifts, Airmen in this career come to see their co-workers as a second family and develop what Fellure calls a “fiery bond.”
“I love this job more than anything, I love training and bettering myself, along with training the younger Airmen and helping make them better firefighters and Airmen,” Fellure said. “We’re a family here, I see these guys as much as I see my own family, so we have to have a really tight bond.”
Fellure and the rest of his team keep that family mentality with them when they respond to emergencies and even treat the victims like one of their own to make them feel more at ease.
“I have a huge passion for this job,” Fellure said. “I love being there for the community, I go to them on their worst day and I want to be there to help them and make it a little better.”
Staff Sgt. Justin Fellure, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department crew chief, repels down an 80-foot tower, Sept. 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Repelling is used when all other exists are blocked and firefighters must use an alternative route out of a building or structure. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Shawna L. Keyes)
Staff Sgt. Justin Fellure, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department crew chief, secures his body harness, Sept. 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. As part of their training, Airmen in the 4th CES fire department must be proficient in repelling so they can use the skill as a last case scenario when all other exists are blocked. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Shawna L. Keyes)
Airman 1st Class Troy Caillier (left), 4th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, practices taking blood pressure on Airman Tom Krasinski’s, 4th CES firefighter, Sept. 25, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. As first responders, firefighters are trained to react to medical emergencies as it’s possible they will have first contact with a victim. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Williamson)
Firefighters from the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron respond to a call at the base gym, Sept. 25, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.. Roughly 70 Airmen at the fire department are responsible for more than 13,000 personnel and more than 100 aircraft on base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Ashley Williamson)
Fire trucks line up outside the bay doors of the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department, Sept. 18, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. As part of their shift, Airmen are required to check all trucks and equipment and wash the vehicles before shift changes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Shawna L. Keyes)
Airmen from the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department make plates of food during their down time, Sept. 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Since the Airmen work 24-hour shifts and are unable to leave their post, they commonly cook and share their own meals in the department’s kitchen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Shawna L. Keyes)
Airman 1st Class Troy Caillier (left), and Airman Tom Krasinski, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, simulate rescuing a downed firefighter, Sept. 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. Firefighters are required to conduct various types of training to keep their certifications current. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Shawna L. Keyes)
