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| Members of the Forces Armées Nigeriennes watch as Senior Airman Micah Moody, 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron Fire Department driver operator, cuts through metal with a combination spreader tool in Agadez, Niger, May 16, 2017. The combination spreader tool is a hydraulic rescue tool, commonly referred to as the Jaws of Life, firefighters use to extricate a person trapped in an emergency situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jimmie D. Pike) |
05.16.2017
Story by Senior Airman Jimmie Pike
435th Air Expeditionary Wing
Airmen deployed to the 724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron Fire Department visited the Forces Armées Nigeriennes Fire Department in Agadez, Niger, May 16, 2017.
The purpose of the visit was to partake in a joint knowledge exchange to learn more about the FAN’s firefighting capabilities and continue building a professional relationship.
“We went down to the fire station in Agadez to develop a relationship with the local fire department,” said Master Sgt. Gerald Allen, 724th EABS Fire Department assistant chief of operations. “We’re not doing any training at this time but we wanted to get to know what their capabilities are and show them ours.”
By taking the time to learn each other’s capabilities, the two fire departments can better work together in the future in case of an emergency.
“We want to know what they can do, and they want to know what we can do,” said Allen. “This way when we interact with them on a mission, we’ll be able to do it easier having taken the time to get to know them personally and what they can do as a team.”
The station was equipped with a Fire Truck, ambulances, a work truck, and hydraulic tools used to extricate victims during an emergency.
“Today was eye-opening I didn’t realize they had some of the hydraulic equipment we had,” said Allen. “One huge challenge when it comes to helping them is that their equipment has French connectors so our equipment won’t function with theirs.”
For the 724th EABS, the visit was a big step in building a more professional working relationship with the local fire department.
“I am absolutely grateful that the FAN has allowed us the opportunity to come out here and learn about their operations,” said Allen. “This will give us a chance to find out ways we can better work with them and support them for future operations.”
