Moody’s 23d Civil Engineer Squadron extinguishes night fire.

Firefighters from the 23d Civil Engineer Squadron begin to congregate after completing nighttime, live-fire training, Jan. 10, 2017, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. It’s required by the Federal Aviation Administration that every airfield have a firefighting team on standby in case of an aircraft incident. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Snider)

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GA, UNITED STATES
01.12.2017
Story by Airman 1st Class Daniel Snider
23rd Wing

Team Moody’s 23d Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters performed nighttime, live-fire training, Jan. 10, here.

This training prepares Airmen for the possibility of nighttime aircraft fire operations.
“This is 80 percent of what we do, the other 20 percent is structural,” said Charlie Johnson, 23d CES assistant fire chief of training. “Most likely, if anything is ever to happen, it will be with an aircraft. So it’s very important that we get this live-fire training.”
It isn’t only important that the 23d CES Airmen experience this, but it’s actually required by the Air Force and the Federal Aviation Administration that all airport firefighters conduct this training periodically.

“Situations like this happen,” said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jacob Molden, 23d CES firefighter who’s conducting live fire training for the fifth time. “In the real world, we’re not going to be able to really predict everything. So it’s good in training to throw out some random events and not tell us exactly how it’s going to go to let us figure it out on our own because that’s how we learn.”
Upon arriving, to the scene, firefighters used their vehicles to assess the situation and began battling the flames.

“Usually we modulate,” said Molden. “So we’ll [drive] around the aircraft and spray water, and then we’ll position ourselves and pull hand-lines to fight the fire.”
After pulling the hand-lines, Airmen began to group up and combat the fire.
“My favorite part is actually fighting the fire,” said Molden. “It’s hot and adrenaline’s going with all the lights, people yelling and it’s chaotic, but at the same time, we’ve got it all figured out because our training is very good. We know exactly what to do. We can fall back on our training to get the job done.”

While Molden said he enjoys this training, he has no doubt in the seriousness of it and hopes the newer guys take something away.

“When a live fire burns you’re not exactly sure how you’re going to act,” said Molden. “You get to know yourself a little bit better and what works for you and also what you can work on to get better.”

See More Photos Here

How to survive winter weather

Tobey Beagle, a captain with the Illinois Department of Military Affairs at the 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron fire department, gives an interview about winter weather safety in Peoria, Ill., Jan. 7, 2017. He said wearing layers is important if you do have to be outside, as well as covering skin by wearing gloves, hats and earmuffs. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Lealan Buehrer)

PEORIA, IL, UNITED STATES
01.09.2017
Story by Tech. Sgt. Lealan Buehrer
182nd Airlift Wing

Midwest weather can be notorious for giving pleasant temperatures one day and an arctic blast the next. However, there are precautions Airmen can take in order to ensure their safety during the frigid winter months.

Tobey Beagle, a captain with the Illinois Department of Military Affairs at the 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron fire department, said that the most common types of injuries the fire department responds to in the winter are trips, slips and falls on ice.

“Especially early on in the winter, people aren’t used to walking on [ice],” he said. “It takes a little while to re-acclimate to it.”

In order to help avoid injuries from slipping on ice, Tech. Sgt. Cindy Hawkins, a safety specialist with the 182nd Airlift Wing, recommends preventives measures ahead of time, such as wearing traction cleats over shoes and applying ice-melt salt to sidewalks.

However, there are steps that Beagle recommends until first responders arrive if you do witness someone fall on ice.

“The best thing you can do is assess them, try to determine the extent if they’ve injured themselves. Also keep in mind if they’ve hit their head or not,” he said.

Beagle said it is important to get the injured person out of the cold environment if possible. If you cannot, cover the person and keep him or her warm until first responders arrive.

In order to prevent exposure injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia, Beagle recommends minimizing the time a person works outside. He said wearing layers is important if you do have to be outside, as well as covering skin by wearing gloves, hats and earmuffs.

“Work-rest cycles are important if you do have to be outside. Again, the temperature really dictates how long you can be out versus coming back in, and how long you should be inside to re-warm,” he said.

First Lt. Whitney McInnis, a clinical nurse with the 182nd Medical Group, said that hypothermia occurs when the body temperature is so cold that the body’s organs start shutting down and exposure to cold weather without enough clothing layers can cause it.

“During hypothermia, your blood will try to make your internal organs stay functioning, so all the blood just goes to your central system and that’s why you get those [frostbite] injuries on the toes and fingers first and foremost, also the nose and ear tips,” she said.

She said the first thing to counteract hypothermia is to remove yourself from the cold. Injured persons can also drink warm liquids and put on warm layers, but should never try to treat frostbite themselves.

“You don’t want to try to rub that affected extremity because you can actually make it fall off,” McInnis said. “And don’t run them under warm water. You want to just try to get near a source of heat, blankets, but no warm water because that can affect it negatively also.”

To prevent yourself from getting to that point, McInnis said having awareness could help.

“Thankfully, when you’re here on base they do give guidance on weather conditions that you should be taking your work-rest cycles, but any time that you’re feeling any kind of tingling in your extremities, especially fingers and toes, you know that you’ve been exposed too long and you need to get into warmer weather,” she said.

There may be times where a person cannot get into warmer weather, such as when stranded while driving. Hawkins recommends keeping supplies in your vehicle, including a blanket, flashlight, cell phone charger and snacks.

“Make sure you always drive with your gas at least half-full, check your tires before you leave at any departure. Make sure when you’re leaving that your car has all the maintenance that need be, if that’s checking the wipers, if it’s just making sure you got the fluids in there, as well as making sure that you have extra money and an extra charger in the car,” she said.

Whether it is injuries, exposure or isolation, Airmen can prevent the cold consequences of winter by simple preparation. Plan to wear extra layers of clothing to keep warm. Plan for items needed to navigate icy terrain. Plan for the “what ifs” in the event of vehicle difficulties. By doing so, Airmen can help keep themselves safe from winter’s hazards and available to be always on mission.

See more.

407th ECES upgrades fire retardant foam

Staff Sgt. Clinton Manus, 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, speak with his leadership while transferring fire retardant from a foam trailer at the 407th Air Expeditionary Group, Jan. 6, 2016. The unit switched all the fire retardant foam in their inventory as part of an Air Force-wide initiative to use more environmentally friendly foam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)(Released)

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)
01.07.2017
Story by Master Sgt. Benjamin Wilson
407th Air Expeditionary Group

Firefighters from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron upgraded their inventory of aqueous film forming foam to a more environmentally friendly version of the fire retardant, Jan. 6 at the 407th Air Expeditionary Group.

The switch was part of an Air Force-wide initiative, according to Tech. Sgt. Nathan Darke, 407th ECES B-shift battalion fire chief.

This swap has brought the 407th ECES fire stations into compliance with the new Air Force standards, which are intended to keep base assets and people safe while being better stewards of the environment.

“The old foam was near the end of its life-cycle, so it was a good time to replace it,” he said.

The unit replaced more than 2,100 gallons of the foam concentrate in six crash vehicles and a foam trailer, which are used to extinguish aircraft and fuels fires.

Before adding the new mixture, the vehicles and trailer were triple-washed to remove any residual waste. The old foam concentrate and residual waste were then put into containers and shipped to a contractor to be properly disposed of, said Darke.

Aqueous film forming foam concentrate is mixed with water and air to form the foam mixture needed to fight the volatile fires created by jet fuel, according to Tech. Sgt. Jason Demoss, 407th ECES assistant chief of firefighting operations.

This swap has brought the 407th ECES fire stations into compliance with the new Air Force standards, which are intended to keep base assets and people safe while being better stewards of the environment.

See More Photos Here:

Did somebody say fire?

Photo By Airman 1st Class Nicholas Emerick | U.S. Air Force Airmen 1st Class Edwin Rullan and Javier Gomez, 18th Civil Engineer firefighters, preform an inspection on Kadena's fire response vehicles to ensure emergency readiness. The daily life of a firefighter with the 18th CES on Kadena involves constant vigilance and plenty of training as one of the largest fire departments in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nick Emerick/Released) 

KADENA, OKINAWA, JAPAN
01.05.2017
Story by Airman 1st Class Nicholas Emerick
18th Wing Public Affairs

Airmen and contractors working at the fire department work 24-hour shifts. Each day begins much the same way, with roll call. Afterward, inspections occur of personal gear and fire trucks as well as turnover from the last day’s shift.

“Most of the time we are training; we have simulated aircraft and structural fires, as well as a flashover trainer, which is a big box allowing us to watch how a fire develops into a flashover and things to be aware of during real fires,” said Airman 1st Class Edwin Rullan, 18th CES firefighter . “As firefighters, we have to maintain our certifications, so accomplishing monthly training is a big part of what we do.”

From false alarms to dorm mishaps, the 18th CES fire department is always providing support across the base. The largest part of the job is supporting pilots anytime there is an in-flight emergency, firefighters provide a watchful eye to keep the base populace as safe as possible at all times, according to Gomez.

“Being able to help people is the best part of the job for me, it’s the reason I love this job,” said Gomez.

Working under conditions such as these build strong relationships within the department, living and working with their team, making sure to be the best they can be. Though the hours may be long, the service provided by these men and women is indispensable. The firefighters of Kadena may not have the most typical lives, but what they do have is a deep and abiding bond, according to Rullan.

“I enjoy the lifestyle, it’s not your typical nine-to-five job,” said Rullan. “The people you work with become your family.”

See More Pictures Here: 

South Carolina National Guard prepares for first winter storm 2017

Courtesy Photo | A South Carolina Army National Guard Soldier with a Vehicle Recovery Team with the 178th Engineer Battalion stages a vehicle in preparation for providing support to the South Carolina Highway Patrol in Rock Hill, South Carolina, Jan. 6, 2017, in response to the first expected winter storm of 2017. (Courtesy Photo) 

COLUMBIA, SC, UNITED STATES
01.06.2017
Story by Capt. Jessica Donnelly
108th Public Affairs Detachment

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – As South Carolina National Guard units across the state prepare for the first drill of the new year, Vehicle Recovery Teams (VRT) are organizing in response to the first winter storm of 2017.

Soldiers in the Upstate began staging vehicles and personnel, Jan. 6, to support the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The 228th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade serves as the operational control with Soldiers from the 178th Engineer Battalion and 4-118th Combat Arms Battalion making up the VRTs, explained U.S. Army Capt. Joseph Powell, 228th TTSB personnel officer.

A VRT consists of a wrecker asset, two Humvees, and six to eight people, he added. The South Carolina National Guard prepositions liaisons in areas expected to be hit the hardest with severe weather then coordinates with the teams to respond with assistance as needed.

“We’ll have our liaisons in place to coordinate with highway patrol to make sure we keep the highways clear for emergency response vehicles,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William Bostic, 228th TTSB command sergeant major.

Bostic explained, the areas they are expecting to be impacted the most and are being monitored include interstate highways 77 and 26 from the state line inward as far as affected, as well as interstate highway 85 from state line to state line.

“We have troops on standby ready to respond if needed in support of the South Carolina Highway Patrol,” said Bostic.

The South Carolina National Guard was prepared to respond to the winter storm after recent training conducted with the highway patrol in November 2016. Soldiers with the 228th TTSB partnered with the civilian agency for Exercise Palmetto Lightning, where South Carolina National Guard liaisons staged at different locations to communicate to the VRTs. The liaisons relayed missions to the teams who would react based on a scenario, such as pulling a vehicle from a ditch or clearing a road to allow first responders access to ensure the safety of South Carolina citizens.

“We do this type of training every year so that we’re prepared to respond to winter weather,” added Bostic.