Fort Lee emergency medic always on point

Photo By Terrance Bell | Fort Lee firefighter and paramedic Stephen Steele, Jr., stands by an ambulance he works on from fire station 2 and assists patients with medical care during transport to a medical facility.

UNITED STATES
05.11.2017
Story by Lesley Atkinson
U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee Public Affairs
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FORT LEE, Va. (May 11, 2017) -- Fellow workers describe fifth-generation firefighter Stephen Steele Jr. as “one of the best emergency medics at Fort Lee.”

Setting aside the hard-to-overlook fact that he has been in the business since age 12, Steele’s professional qualifications speak for themselves. He is a nationally registered paramedic with certifications in nine associated specialties that qualify him as an instructor and emergency medical technician. He is a member of the HAZMAT team and serves as the supply coordinator for the department.

“Emergency response is in my blood,” said the seven-year post employee assigned to Fire Station 2. “I started as a youth volunteer working with my brother and father at a station back home in Long Island, N.Y. As soon as I turned 18, I was hired on as a regular firefighter and have been doing that ever since.”


Work associates also describe Steele as a “quiet professional” who doesn’t always get recognized for his accomplishments because he avoids the limelight. That aspect of his character became evident as he talked about his career and often opted for precise “yes ma’am” responses to probing questions. He said he views such discussions as bragging and chooses to avoid them.

Steele’s transition from New York to Virginia was a cost of living decision. He first settled down in Smithfield and took a job with the Newport News fire department. A few years later, he was hired by the Fort Lee Fire Department.

On duty, Steele works a 48-hour shifts where he alternates between a fire truck and ambulance. Off duty, he spends time with his wife and two children, while maintaining a lawn care business.

One of the aspects he likes most about his emergency response job is being able to interact with other jurisdictions within the community.

“We get many different calls on the emergency service and fireside. It is exciting,” he said. “We sometimes get requests off-post daily. Just recently, we went to Colonial Heights for a serious medical emergency and we ended up transporting the patient for them.”



At Fort Lee, Steele is responsible for the ambulances on post and ensures they are fully stocked and ready to serve the population. During a crisis, he’s in charge of the ambulance and assesses and initiates appropriate medical care and selects the appropriate receiving facility within the local community. Steele also plans EMS training for the unit monthly.

Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Steckel, Training Division Fort Lee Fire and Emergency Services, said Steele is a hard worker who is dedicated to mission success.


“No matter the task is day or night, he completes the duty giving more than what you ask for,” he said. “He is probably the best medic in the organization. He leads, instructs and mentors new medics. I have responded to many calls with Stephen.

“With a life hanging in the balance and the scene sometimes in chaos,” he continued, “Stephen’s professional, confident attitude brings calm to the chaos and reflects on everyone. This aids in scene management and can even save a life.”

Steckel also praised Steele for his commitment to the team, and ever-present smile on his face and a willingness to make time for others. The tight-knit group in the department often compares their co-workers to a family.

Steele said he has no plans of leaving and will continue carrying on his family legacy. He especially enjoys serving veterans.

“It‘s a great feeling,” he said. “They do so much for our country. They deserve the best care possible.”

This is the last installment of a Traveller story series focusing on individuals who work “behind the scenes” at Fort Lee shopping, dining, and recreational facilities.

DOD names CPEN 2016 Fire Department of the Year

Photo By Cpl. Brian Bekkala | Firefighters from the Camp Pendleton Fire Department pack the firetruck up after participating in Wildland Fire Fighting Exercise 2016, near Pulgas Lake on Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 5, 2016. Wildland Firefighting Exercise 2016 is part of an annual training exercise to simulate the firefighting efforts by aviation and ground assets from the Navy, Marine Corps, San Diego County and CAL Fire.  This event is aimed at bringing awareness to this joint capability while also exercising the pilots and operators who conduct firefighting missions.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Bekkala/MCIWEST-MCB CamPen Combat Camera/Released)

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

05.24.2017

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Lynn Kinney 

Marine Corps Installations West - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton  

The Camp Pendleton’s Fire Emergency Services Department was recently recognized as 2016’s Department of Defense Fire Department of the Year in a message released by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, May 17, 2017.

This is the second time the department was recognized as one of the largest in the DOD and was responsible for more than 3,700 emergency responses, 156 of those being wildland fires, alone. Additionally, the staffs have been working with fire departments in the surrounding communities to maximizing the use of assets and training that lead to the 373 mutual-aid assistance calls supported outside the installation.

Chief Thomas C. Thompson, Camp Pendleton’s fire chief, credits the unit’s success to the individual firefighters and the process improvement they have been doing in the past five years.

“I am surrounded by very cool operators that get to practice their craft,” said Thompson, who is humbled by the recent recognition. “It is a testament to what they do, how they do it and the impact it has to the community.”

Camp Pendleton’s training ground support various tenants, most notably the I Marine Expeditionary Force, a 28 thousand person Marine Air – Ground Task Force, with ranges and wildland spanning over 125,000 acres. 

In addition to the department being recognized, Assistant Chief Jeff Cunliff-Owen was selected as the Fire Officer of the Year for his work as the wildland coordinator. 

The programs he leads in maintenance and suppression training throughout the year ensure each individual firefighter is getting the education and accreditation necessary to support the installation.

“They are the ones that make us look good,” said Cunliff-Owen, a 21 year-firefighter, of the firefighters and captains in the department. “We get it done here because of them. I’m just steering the bus.”

Both career firemen agree on the importance of these individuals to the team’s success, but more than anything wants to do good work. 

“We can see the impact we make every day, said Thompson. “Not every job is like that, and get satisfaction by helping our community and serving our warfighters and families.”

Fort Lee Run for the Fallen -- united in remembrance

Photo By Lesley Atkinson | Patriot Guard Rider, Bobby Lipes, rides his bike around the Williams Stadium track during the 7th annual Run for the Fallen May 20 at Williams Stadium. The Patriot Guard Riders is an organization whose members attend the funerals of members of the U.S. military, firefighters, and police at the invitation of a decedent's family. (Lesley Atkinson, U.S. Army Garrison Public Affairs) 

UNITED STATES
05.25.2017
Story by Lesley Atkinson
U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee Public Affairs

FORT LEE, Va. (May 25, 2017) -- Williams Stadium was filled Saturday with thousands of participants as they joined in a walk/run to honor service members who have lost their lives while serving the nation in uniform.

The 7th annual Run for the Fallen was coordinated by Army Community Service Survivor Outreach Service Support Team with the help of volunteers and sponsors.

“Today is to remember those fallen heroes,” said Col. Adam Butler, garrison commander during opening remarks. “We recognize not merely their lives lost but more importantly, their lives lived.”

In the stadium, over 700 pictured banners were displayed the remembrance of loved heroes.

“The banners representing the service members are not just a statistic, but a person,” said Butler. “The photos help us consider these heroes more deeply than before.”

Speaker Brig. Gen. Jeffrey W. Drushal, Chief of Transportation, said he was glad to see everyone united in the stadium for a single purpose. He noted he was amazed and hoped this occasion warmed the Gold Star Family members who attended.

Drushal also explained how Run for the Fallen began in 2008 after 1st Lt. Michael J. Cleary was killed in Iraq. It was initiated by a dedicated team of friends and runners who organized a group to run a mile for every military member lost during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Since then, over 50,000 participants have run more than 200,000 miles to raise awareness of lives of those who fought in the war. Also to keep their memories alive, the events support wounded veterans and Gold Star Families and help the healing process of those affected by the war.

Gold Star Family member retired Army 1st Sgt. Aaron Ozbat spoke to the audience on how he is part of an exclusive club.

“However, this is a club I don’t wish on anyone. I did not choose this group, it chose me. I’m a Gold Star father.”

His son Capt. Jesse A. Ozbat was killed in action in Afghanistan five years ago, May 20, 2012, on the very day of this year’s Run for the Fallen.

He spoke about his son growing up on Fort Lee and was part of the community. He attended Prince George High School and later Virginia State University. He was commissioned as an artillery officer in 2006. He noted his son graduated in the top 10 percent of all the cadets in the country.

“I can tell you, my dreams for him were not to be a Soldier,” Ozbat said. “I wanted him to use his full potential outside the military. I told him, ‘I wore the uniform, so you don’t have to.’ His response was, ‘I want to do my part, and I want to stand for freedom. I want to serve so my little brother doesn’t have to.’ What does a father in uniform say to that?”

Ozbat said, “Jesse left his wife, family and everything behind to do his part for freedom.”

The father talked about how proud he is and the love for his son, even before the military.

“I ask you, how can a father, not love a son who gave everything for others? I cannot speak for every Gold Star Family, but there is one thing we all want for our service members … for our loved ones to never be forgotten. Every name, every face, everyone fallen is important.”

Bikers from various organizations attended the event to show their support. The riders normally attend funerals of members of the military, firefighters, and police at the invitation of a decedent’s family. They also led the march around the stadium to start the run. Biker Mel Mason from one of the clubs called Rolling Thunder said this is her sixth year being a part of the event. She noted, “I do this for every Soldier who has fallen and given their life for us. Those who have ridden before us … we ride for them. We are here to represent them.”

SD Guard firefighters train, prepare for upcoming deployment

Photo By Spc. Carl A Johnson | Firefighters with the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 216th and 451st Engineer Detachments prepare for aircraft fuel spill incident training near Rapid City, S.D., May 20, 2017. Firefighters from the 216th were evaluated on incident command procedures prior to their scheduled deployment to Romania in July. 

RAPID CITY, SD, UNITED STATES
05.23.2017
Story by Spc. Carl A Johnson
129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Army National Guard firefighters trained on structural, vehicle and aircraft burns, vehicle extractions, and confined space rescues in the Rapid City area, May 6-20.

Firefighters with the Rapid City based-216th and 451st Engineer Detachments focused their annual training on preparing for emergency fire-related situations that they may encounter during a deployment.

The training is of particular importance as three Soldiers with the 216th are scheduled to deploy to Romania in July where they will oversee multiple firefighting teams.

“The harder you practice, the more proficient you will be out on the fire grounds,” said Spc. Matthew Komes of the 451st. “It all comes together when we get deployed overseas. Everything we do during annual training is incorporated.”

The firefighters were able to call on multiple resources to augment their training, which included Western Dakota Technical Institute, who provided space for confined space rescue operations and structural burns, said Komes.

The detachments contracted the services of a specialized training simulator, specifically designed to simulate a fire on board an aircraft. This allowed the firefighters to actually enter the aircraft, after suppressing the fire, and conduct clearing operations to enhance the realistic nature of the training.

“The simulator was different than any training the unit’s have ever been through,” said Komes. “When we conduct training at Ellsworth Air Force Base, it involves jet fuel so we aren’t allowed to go into the aircraft. With this new simulator, we are able to go into the aircraft, fight the fire and do our rescues.”

“We train as we fight,” said Sgt. 1st Class Austin Hagen, fire chief for the 216th. “Our guys got to conduct training on an aircraft trainer that we had not seen before. The trainer did an excellent job and our guys got to do some hands on training that we normally don’t get to do.”

724th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron Fire Department kindles partnership with FAN

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)

AGADEZ, NIGER
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.”