Running toward the sound of chaos: Marines assist Okinawa residents after vehicle collision

Photo By Cpl. Brittany A. James | Lance Cpl. Luis Rosas, left, and Cpl. Ian Burnham, center, are presented a letter of appreciation by Eikatsu Sakihara, Aug. 23 at the Urasoe City Police Department in Urasoe City, Okinawa, Japan. Rosas and Burnham were awarded letters of appreciation for their life-saving efforts following a vehicle collision, and their courage combating a vehicle fire April 16. “We appreciate their bravery,” said Sakihara. “Usually a burning vehicle could cause a big explosion, and is very dangerous to deal with. The Marines were brave enough to stop the vehicle fire.” Rosas is a Wilmington, California, native, and an engineer equipment mechanic with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Burnham is a Spokane, Washington, native, and electrical engineer equipment systems technician with, 3rd Maintenance Bn., CLR-35, 3rd MLG, III MEF. Sakihara is Chief of Police with the Urasoe City Police Department. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/ Released) 

URASOE CITY, OKINAWA, JAPAN
08.23.2016
Story by Cpl. Brittany A. James
III Marine Expeditionary Force / Marine Corps Installations Pacific

U.S. Marine Cpl. Ian Burnham and Lance Cpl. Luis Rosas were awarded letters of appreciation August 23 from the Urasoe Police Department in Urasoe City, Okinawa, Japan for their efforts in assisting an injured driver out of a vehicle following a multi-vehicle collision, and extinguishing a burning vehicle.

Burnham, an electrical engineer equipment systems technician and Rosas, an engineer equipment mechanic with 3rd Maintenance Bn., Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, witnessed a vehicle collision as they were walking back to Camp Kinser from a local sports and entertainment facility April 16.

At the scene of the accident, the Marines did not hesitate to assist with the injured driver, as the other driver exited their vehicle safely.
“When we saw the crash, we ran to pull one (person) out of the car, and the other person exited the car safely,” said Burnham, a Spokane, Washington native.

The Marines cleared the area, and ensured pedestrians were out of harm’s way, according to Rosas, a Wilmington, California native. Following the accident, the Marines noticed the vehicle had caught on fire.

“We got two fire extinguishers from a local store,” said Rosas. “We put out the fire and waited for the police to arrive before returning to base.”
The Marine Corps teaches Marines to have a warrior mindset which prepares them for any situation, both on and off-duty, according to Burnham.

“It’s what Marines do,” said Burnham. “They are always ready to act when others hesitate, and when you see someone in danger it's a basic Marine Corps instinct to help someone out.”

The letter of appreciation was presented to the Marines by Eikatsu Sakihara, the Chief of the Urasoe Police Department.

“We sincerely appreciate your prompt response to a vehicle fire that occurred on Highway 58 in 5 Chome Makiminato, Urasoe City on 16 April, 2016,” read the letter of appreciation. “As soon as you discovered the vehicle fire, you quickly conducted firefighting without hesitation. Your positive cooperation made a great contribution for preventing further damage.”

The Urasoe Police Department was thankful that the Marines were there to mitigate the after-affects of the accident, according to Sakihara.

“We appreciate their bravery,” said Sakihara. “Usually a burning vehicle could cause a big explosion, and is very dangerous to deal with. The Marines were brave enough to stop the vehicle fire.”

Mustangs respond to mock IED during Beverly Herd

Firefighters from the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron hook up a water hose to a fire hydrant during a mock improvised explosive device exercise on Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 23, 2016. The mock IED is a scenario during exercise Beverley Herd 16-2 to test first responders on their emergency capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen)

OSAN AIR BASE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, 41, SOUTH KOREA

08.23.2016

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Steffen 

51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

190th ARW Emergency crews sent to Billard Airport

Emergency crews with the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Kansas Air National Guard, were standing by, ready to provide assistance at Billard Airport in Topeka as a small airplane had to make an emergency landing there August 19, 2016. The plane, a single-engine Bellanca, had landing gear issues and was burning fuel prior to landing. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Zachary Sheely/Released)

TOPEKA, KS, UNITED STATES

08.19.2016

Photo by Sgt. Zach Sheely 

Kansas Adjutant General's Department

 (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Zachary Sheely/Released)

Coast Guard, locals rescue 511 responding to vessel fire near San Juan

Passengers aboard the 561-foot Caribbean Fantasy ferry vessel use the marine escape system to awaiting lift rafts as they abandon the vessel a mile from San Juan Harbor, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. The Caribbean Fantasy had a fire start in the engine room that spread to other compartments forcing passengers and crew to abandon the vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station San Juan, Puerto Rico.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

08.16.2016
Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Lally
U.S. Coast Guard District 7

A local San Juan, Puerto Rico-based tug crew use a fire hose to cool the hull of the 561-foot Caribbean Fantasy ferry vessel that caught fire earlier a mile from San Juan Harbor, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. The Caribbean Fantasy's engine room caught fire, which began to spread to other compartments forcing passengers and crew to abandon the ferry vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Caribbean Fantasy, a passenger ferry vessel, is towed to Pier 15 in San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. 511 people were evacuated from the ship following a fire Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jasmine Mieszala)

NC Guard Trains with Rural Hall, Forsyth County First Responders

Operation Foothills Iron Horse at Rural Hall, North Carolina, Aug. 17, 2016, tests the readiness of the North Carolina National Guard's 42nd Civil Support Team to deploy for a joint response led by local first responders to natural and man-made chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats. “Interoperability is the big thing so we can work together,” said Melton J. Sadler, director, Forsyth County Emergency Management Department.

RURAL HALL, NC, UNITED STATES
08.17.2016
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Jordan
North Carolina National Guard

A small town nightmare; local first responders investigated a hostage situation at the Rural Hall train depot and find a mysterious chemical lab, Aug. 17, 2016. Local fire, rescue, emergency management and local SWAT team leaders decided the threat is greater than their resources and the incident commander called out the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG), this is, fortunately, a drill.

“We want to work with civilian first responders before the emergency so they know what we can do, and we can know what they can do,” said Army Capt. Barry Stern, an analytical scientist with the 42nd Civil Support Team.

The exercise, Foothills Iron Horse, tested the readiness of the NCNG to deploy its 42nd Civil Support Team, headquartered in Greenville, to a joint response incident led by local first responders. The 42nd has the capability to respond to natural and man-made chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.

“Interoperability is the big thing so we can work together,” said Melton J. Sadler, director, Forsyth County Emergency Management Department.

The exercise began as an emergency management response to a hostage crisis and hazardous chemical spill. Deputy Sheriffs, fire and rescue personnel swept the downtown rail yard in the center of the town of 3,000. The SWAT team rescued a hostage but when they secured surrounding buildings, they discovered a chemical lab in an abandoned warehouse.

Local leaders evaluated the reports from the field and checked with local hazardous material technicians. They decided that they needed more help and the 42nd CST was notified.

More than 100 miles away at the team’s armory in Greenville, NCNG Soldiers, each with military and scientific CBRN expertise, deploy. They are activated by the request and under the authority of local officials when the civilian incident commander on the ground determines a possible CBRN hazard. A convoy of vehicles with advanced laboratory and communications equipment, containment suits and other specialty gear is organized and in minutes, they are in route to Rural Hall.

Soon the convoy stages near the Rural Hall fire department. Maps are checked, photos reviewed and a plan made. A joint team of local firefighters and 42nd Soldiers will survey the site and determine what the threat to lives and property is and best response.

The team drives to the site. Several fire, rescue and sheriff patrol vehicles with lights flashing block the roads along the track. Soldiers breakout the equipment needed, air tanks, breathing apparatus, sensors, sample bags, radios, hazardous material (hazmat) suits and other gear to safely enter the suspected CBRN site.

After a last check of the hazmat seals and air tanks, the team enters the site.

The pace was slow and methodical. The members check the entrance with portable sensors for any CBRN threat. They make their way through the main room choked with dirty furniture and dusty storage boxes. Their goal was locating a small chemistry lab of a more recent tenant tucked in a corner of the warehouse.

Beakers, chemical containers, a thermometer and a tray of white crystals line a small, improvised table. The team moves carefully testing each component. The team swiped sterile swabs on surfaces checking for unique CBRN evidence. Other team members checked radiation and poison gas sensors. They kept in constant radio contact reporting what they discover.

After completing the examination of the lab, the team returned the fire station to share what they learned with the other exercise personnel.

“Working on the same problem shows how we can integrate,” said Sadler.

With their capabilities, the 42nd Civil Support Team become a valuable and unique disaster response asset for the state and nation.