Maxwell firefighters compete in international challenge

Maxwell’s 2016 Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge team lines up for a group photo beside one of their fire trucks, Sept. 15, 2016, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. The team prepares for the competition in the same way they prepare for their job, with high intensity training. (U.S. Air Force photo/SrA Alexa Culbert)

By Senior Airman Alexa Culbert, 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs / Published September 23, 2016

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --
Maxwell firefighters are preparing to compete in the 25th annual Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge being held Oct. 24 – 29, 2016, in Montgomery, Alabama.

The international challenge invites firefighters from all over the world to compete in what is known as “the hardest two minutes in sports.”

In two minutes, competitors are required to perform five strenuous tasks that mirror the duties they perform on the job. The tasks include sprinting up five flights of stairs with a water hose, hoisting hose, chopping, dragging hoses and carrying a 175-pound training dummy.

This will be the second year Maxwell’s firefighters have participated in the competition, and they look forward to beating their score from last year. In the 2015 world challenge, the team’s scores for the Relay and Relay Elimination races were 1:31:01 and 1:32:83, respectively. Maxwell firefighter Senior Airman Scott Weeks earned the scores 1:49:84 and 1:52:20 in the individual races and Jay Brown, Maxwell firefighter, with 3:49:92.

“Better is the goal,” said Brown. “I wish I knew then what I know now. But I learned a lot, met a lot of really cool people, a lot of people helped me along the way, and I really appreciated that and I just want to do better.”

Brown said the competition is a fun way for him and the other's to stay in shape and become more proficient at their job.

Last month, the team competed in Louisville, Kentucky, giving the new members their first look at what is to come at the world competition.

“It was fun, it was my first time seeing the event. It’s a long day. t takes a lot of heart and soul to go out there and do it, because when you’re done you go to a dark place and don’t feel good, it takes a lot of heart to want to go do that,” said Senior Airman Jem Beck, Maxwell firefighter.

In Louisville, the team finished the course with a time of 1:40:80 in the Relay Eliminations and Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Brown, Maxwell firefighter, competed solo and placed 39th out of 75 with a time of 2:04:66.

Team members are:Jay Brown, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Brown, Senior Airman Jem Beck, Airman 1st Class Travis Dyer and Airman 1st Class Jonathan McKay.

What I’ve Learned: Joel Jensen

Photo By Cpl. Thomas Mudd | Joel Jensen, lieutenant, Combat Center Fire Department, has been working aboard the base for approximately six years. During that time, he has dedicated his time to being a good father and working to help the people of the Combat Center. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas Mudd/Released) 

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES
09.21.2016
Story by Cpl. Thomas Mudd
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms

Lieutenant, Combat Center Fire Department

Hometown: Hesperia, Calif.

>I grew up loving to ride dirt bikes; I would do it all the time. I received my first dirt bike when I was 4. I’d say it was a big part of my life growing up.

>I got hurt a few times growing up, so I don’t ride like I used to. When I started my career as a firefighter, work took precedence so I began to volunteer as a responder at different motorcycle events to help others who enjoy riding.

>I love being with my family. I became a father shortly after I began working here and it was one of the proudest moments of my life. I spend as much time with my family as I can.

>We go camping as often as possible and I even got my son into motorcycles. We try to go out into the desert once or twice a month and get in some riding time.

>There aren’t a lot of ways to describe the feeling of being a father. It’s just a great feeling. He’s only 6 but he keeps telling me how much he wants to be a firefighter when he grows up. I’ll have to wait and see if he does.

>I’m the third generation firefighter in my family. My father and grandfather were both firefighters and I believe growing up around the vehicles and seeing those men proud of what they do made me want to become a firefighter as well.

>I was a member of the San Bernardino Fire Department before coming to the Combat Center. While I was there, we always worked very closely with the members of the Combat Center Fire Department.

>The drive from home to here is about 100 miles. It’s a little ways away but I don’t make the drive every day. I’m at work every two to three days then I get to stay home for two to three days. It all works out in the end and I enjoy working on base.

>I remember when I was offered the opportunity to join this team. I was asked to perform a physical agility test, where they make sure that you can perform as a firefighter. After that, I was offered the position to be part of this team.

>We are a family here. When you work with the same people for long enough they become like family, but the people here are especially close.

>One of the most memorable moments I’ve had working here was when I was promoted to lieutenant.

>Another time I remember was when we received the Green Cross Award. Firefighters receive this award when they respond to a car accident that require the “Jaws of Life” and have a life-or-death victim live through the accident. That was a great honor for me. It’s not an award that is given to people often, so the fact that I have received it is a great honor.

Camp Zama, Japanese first responders conduct 2016 full-scale exercise

The U.S. Army Garrison Japan conducted its annual full-scale exercise Sept. 12-16 on Camp Zama. The exercise involved various units and organizations that teamed up, participating in emergency training scenarios to ensure the installation is ready to respond in the event of a real-life emergency or crisis. (U.S. Army photos by Lance D. Davis)

JAPAN
09.20.2016
Story by Lance Davis
US Army Garrison - Japan

CAMP ZAMA, Japan (Sept. 20, 2016) — U.S. Army Garrison Japan conducted its annual full-scale exercise Sept. 12-16 on Camp Zama.

Lt. Col Barry Winnegan, director of emergency services for USAG Japan, said the exercise involved various units and organizations that teamed up with local Japanese first responders, participating in emergency training scenarios to ensure the installation is ready to respond in the event of a real-life emergency or crisis.

“We cannot do what we do without our Japanese partners,” said Winnegan.

“They’ve been instrumental in making this exercise a success, and we definitely appreciate their support throughout this week.”

One scenario involved two helicopters carrying hazardous material, crashing into each other at Kastner Airfield’s heliport.

Camp Zama and local Japanese first responders — including firefighters, police and medical teams — arrived on scene to assist the injured and take control of the hazardous material.

“This is a monumental exercise of two nations coming together to figure out how to work together to care for our wounded when we have emergencies,” said Lt. Col. Karen Rutherford, nurse practitioner for U.S. Army Medical Department Activities-Japan, whose role was a doctor in the scenario.

Rutherford said the language barrier was definitely a challenge because they only had one translator on the site, which is why these exercises are so important.

“We need to understand, between our two countries, how to control the chaos that comes with real emergencies like this scenario,” she said.

Another scenario consisted of an active shooter at Zama American High School.

In the scenario, the shooter shot several of the students, which resulted in a school lock down until the shooter was apprehended by military police, followed by an evacuation of the casualties.

First responders came to provide services to the injured victims in the scenario played by students of ZAHS’ theater arts program.

Capt. Brittany Bradey, chief of police assigned to USAG Japan, also acknowledged the language barriers between Americans and Japanese during the exercise, but she said their expertise made conducting the exercise easier.

“Everyone knowing their job and knowing what to do… before and when they get on the ground helps us a lot,” she said. “That’s crucial and helps us out as first responders.”

One Japanese employee who works on Camp Zama said he enjoyed the challenging experience.

Kazuo Makino, deputy fire chief at Camp Zama’s Fire and Emergency Services, said it was nice to experience the exchange between the two cultures during the exercise to get a better understanding of how Americans think.

Several Soldiers and Civilians operated out of the Emergency Operations Center, located in the Garrison’s headquarters building, using a new system called WebEOC that provides incident management capabilities.

The system allowed team members to input and track the latest information for the various scenarios happening around the installation throughout the week.

The units and organizations, including the Directorate of Emergency Services, were also evaluated by representatives from U.S. Army Pacific Command.

Winnegan said he was pleased with the full-scale exercise because it helps to strengthen the United States’ partnership with Japan.

“When there is a real-life emergency, Americans and Japanese can respond swiftly, smoothly, and be successful at it.

“It’s all a part of the plan to ensure the readiness of our first responders and the overall safety our community,” he said.

First responders on the scene of the helicopter crash scenario for the full-scale exercise held at Sept. 12-16 on Camp Zama. (U.S. Army photo by Lance D. Davis)

Taylor Seaman; left, senior at ZAHS, and Asia Jacob; right, sophomore at ZAHS, participate as wounded victims in the active shooter scenario for the full-scale exercise held Sept. 12-16 on Camp Zama. (U.S. Army photo by Lance D. Davis)

First responders transport an injured victim replica for treatment on the scene of the helicopter crash scenario for the full-scale exercise held Sept. 12-16 on Camp Zama. (U.S. Army photo by Lance D. Davis)

USMC Crash Fire Rescue Marine Wing Support Squadron-372

WELLTON, AZ, UNITED STATES
09.19.2016
Photo by Cpl. Abraham Lopez
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Combat Camera

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Adrian Rosas, an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron-372 in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 1-17 explains the capabilities of the Oshkosh P-19R aircraft rescue fire fighting vehicle, at the Site 50 training area, Wellton, Ariz., Sept. 19, 2016. WTI is a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) cadre which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abraham Lopez)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Burl Nicholson, right, an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron-372 in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 1-17 explains the proper donning and usage of a fire proximity suit at the Site 50 training area, Wellton, Ariz., Sept. 19, 2016. WTI is a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) cadre which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation in support of a Marine Air Ground Task Force. MAWTS-1 provides standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Abraham Lopez)

Fort Lee first responders learn emergency K-9 care

Michael Patterson, firefighter, starts an I.V. on a stuffed animal dog in a training situation as Lynn Seward III, a firefighter medic, demonstrates the proper restraining method for the animal as Assistant Chief Brian Harness watches during a training scenario at the Tactical Canine Casualty Care class Sept. 15 at Fire Station No. 2.

UNITED STATES
09.22.2016
Story by Amy Perry
U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee

FORT LEE, Va. (Sept. 22, 2016) -- Personnel from Fort Lee’s Fire and Emergency Services, along with first responders from the local communities and several members of a special Coast Guard canine group, learned all about Tactical Canine Casualty Care during a two-day session Sept. 14-15 at Fire Station No. 2.

Dr. Janice Baker, a veterinarian and instructor with the Veterinary Tactical Group, taught emergency care for injured military working dogs in a tactical environment.

There’s a variety of training for first responders to react to active shooter incidents and caring for gunshot victims or other serious injuries, said Baker. If a MWD gets hurt, this training prepares those first responders to do emergency care in the field.


“There won’t be a veterinarian right there at the point of injury, but there might be a paramedic or dog handler who can render that first responder treatment on the way to the veterinarian,” she said.

Law enforcement and military dogs are in the line of danger every day, just like their human counterparts, said Baker.

“They face the same hazards,” she said. “Every day there’s a dog injured from some kind of line-of-duty injury. We’re not teaching basic first aid, we’re teaching treatment of life-threatening injuries.”

Often, if these dogs are seriously injured, they need treatment within the first few minutes.

“We all learn about the golden hour of trauma, but it’s really the golden 10 minutes,” she said. “It’s important first responders learn what to do, because their actions right there when the dog is injured are important to saving the dog’s life.”

Baker said she could tell the group was enthusiastic about receiving the training that was new to them.

“This is probably one of the most motivated classes I’ve taught in the seven years of doing this training,” she said. “As soon as we start a new lesson, they are peppering us with questions, eager to learn more.

“When we do the training scenarios, there is a degree of artificiality because we use training dummy dogs that have been altered to have fake wounds … but they take it completely seriously,” Baker continued. “Even with introducing role players like frantic handlers or someone who hit the dog with their car, they handle the situation as if it were real.”

Assistant Chief Brian Harness, chief of emergency medical services, F&ES, helped coordinate get the training at Fort Lee to help his team grow.

“We’re in the process of building our tactical emergency care program,” he said. “We’ve trained the firefighter medics and a large part of the law enforcement population here on how to take care of themselves or other patients we encounter during tactical situations. This is a building block to help take care of the military working dogs or search dogs, for example. But these skills also can help us with pets during emergency situations, like if they are hit by a car or were involved in a house fire.

“We’re learning emergency skills to sustain those animals until we can get them to a veterinarian,” Harness continued. “It’s important to note we are not replacing those doctors, just trying to make sure the animals make it to that care with a better chance of survival.”

The training stresses how dogs are to their handlers or owners, Harness said.

“For many people, their pets are their kids,” he said. “To those handlers, those dogs are law enforcement officers. Those working dogs shot in the line of duty are the same as an officer and receive the same burial honors.

One of Fort Lee’s participants was Fire Capt. John Frampton, hazmat captain and paramedic, who said he enjoyed the class and learned a lot.

“I thought the class sounded interesting, and with all the active shooter training conducted, we’ve learned there’s a chance a working dog could be hurt, and they need to be taken care of,” he said. “They are part of the team, and they should be treated the same.

“In a lot of ways, dogs are similar to humans, but I’ve never received any formal training on taking care of them,” Frampton continued. “If something happened to them, we need the skills to take care of them so they can make it to more definitive care from a veterinarian.”

Harness said he thought the training was beneficial and that the unit is planning to continue it in the future.