CPEN leaders gather for Wild Land Fire Table Top Exercise 2018

Photo By Lance Cpl. Haley McMenamin | Joe Hammett, 25 and 33 Areas facilities manager, attends the Wild Land Fire Table Top Exercise on Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 22, 2018. This exercise is a bi-annual event that provides area commanders of Marine Corps Installations West - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton with an understanding of the installation's concept of preparedness, response and effort in the event of a wildfire. (U .S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Stephen Beard) 

CAMP PENDLETON , CA, UNITED STATES
03.29.2018
Story by Cpl. Desiree D King
Marine Corps Installations West - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton 


In the early hours of Thursday morning Camp Pendleton Fire Department responded to a small vegetation fire which broke out in one of the base's training areas. At 2:00 a.m. the "all clear" was given, and by the time staff arrived for work, the only proof of its existence remained in a notification email, read over a morning cup of coffee.

2017 was a destructive fire season for California, with expenditures and damage reaching $180 billion and over one million acres burned, of which less than a tenth of a percent originated on Camp Pendleton. As this year's June to October fire season draws closer, leaders attended a bi-annual Wild Land Fire Table Top Exercise on Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 22, 2018, that provides area commanders with an understanding of the installations concept of preparedness, response, and effort in the event of a wildfire.

Multiple units were in attendance, each providing unique insight into the many aspects of wildfire response. Topics such as the history of fires on and around the base, Camp Pendleton Fire Department's (CPFD) roles and responsibilities and evacuation control were examined critically by those who would be involved in the decision-making processes.

"This [exercise] is more for the operations officers and commanders to have an awareness of their areas," said CPFD Deputy Fire Chief, Christopher Hubmer. "Now they'll go back to their groups and train their staff and give them expectations going forward."

Live ammunition training on Camp Pendleton takes place year-round to provide Marines with realistic when in combat environments. The exercises can be a source of concern for neighboring communities, as it holds the potential to start a brush fire, especially during rough weather conditions. Chief Hubmer addressed those concerns during his brief, indicating that CPFD accounts for heightened risk factors by conducting controlled burns. The burns systematically reduce flammable materials like dead brush and trees, essentially depriving a potential fire of fuel after it has burned to a certain point.

"We burn areas on purpose," Hubmer said, "We make it a safer place, so a potential fire doesn't leave the installation."

The base also utilizes a five-tiered Fire Danger Rating (FDR) system; low, moderate, high, very high, and extreme. Each tier comes with its own set of cautions and restrictions which provide range control officers, like Joe Vaineharrison, guidance on what types of training can take place in certain weather conditions.

"We start applying restrictions to what types of ammunition we can or can not shoot," explained Mr. Vaineharrison. "Whether it be tracers or airborne pyrotechnics, restrictions on smoke, artillery simulators, we startrestricting those back as the FDR goes up."

The table top exercise also featured a guided discussion where leaders briefed the audience on their response tactics in the face of a fire scenario. Not all of the scenarios were hypothetical, and many leaders touched on their respective responses to last December's off-base wildfire in Bonsall, Calif., dubbed the Lilac Fire.

Although neither Camp Pendleton nor its training was the source of the Lilac Fire, CPFD and Marine Corps assets assisted in battling the flames, which burned 4,100 acres approximately 14 miles outside the San Luis Rey Gate. Camp Pendleton also provided roads of safe travel for evacuees fleeing from neighboring communities and opened its stables to local horse owners as well, garnering national attention.

"What happens to our base affects our neighbors, and what happens to them affects us," Hubmer stated to the group.

Each year, Camp Pendleton conducts several training events to remain prepared in the event of a wildfire on the installation or if requested to support firefighting efforts outside of the installation. For more information on upcoming events and wildfire and emergency planning, visit www.pendleton.marines.mil, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Kingsley Field Fire Department triumphs at Seattle Stair Climb

From left, Captain Dan Bigham and Fire Fighters Ryan Barnes and Matthew Knitter, of the Kingsley Field Fire Department, wait their turn to climb the 69 stories up the Columbia building in Seattle, Wash., during the 27th Annual Seattle Stair Climb, March 11, 2018. The Seattle Stair Climb raises money for leukemia and lymphoma research. The Kingsley Field Fire Department team took third place during this year’s event. (Photo courtesy of the Kingsley Field Fire Department)

SEATTLE, WA, UNITED STATES

03.11.2018

Story by Master Sgt. Jennifer Shirar 

173rd Fighter Wing/Public Affairs  

On March 11, 2018 fire fighters from the Kingsley Field Fire Department placed third in the 27th Annual Seattle Stair Climb to raise money for leukemia and lymphoma research. Additionally, Assistant Fire Chief of Training, Derek Sherrell, placed second in the event with a time of 10:58, three seconds behind the first place climber. 

This highly competitive event features more than 2,000 professional, trained firefighters who compete on more than 200 individual teams. 

“Many spend years training for this specific event in the Pacific Northwest, the competition is fierce and the goal is to raise money for cancer research, and be the top dog…or top fire dawg!” said Howard Owens, Kingsley Field Deputy Fire Chief. 

The event is a 69-story stair climb wearing full firefighting gear and breathing from an oxygen tank. Only the top competitors climb 1,356 steps—788 vertical feet, without changing oxygen tanks.

This is Sherrell’s 10th year participating in this event.

“He trains daily and encourages and motivates his Kingsley brothers to do the same,” said Owens. 

When asked about his accomplishment, Sherrell shrugs it off and tries shift the focus off himself. 

“To me this event means community,” said Sherrell. “It is a way for us as a fire service family to come together as one team to raise money and awareness to blood cancers.”

He points to a statistic showing the two leading causes of firefighter fatalities on and off duty are cancer and cardiac related incidents. 

“By training for this event and raising money for research, we combat both of these issues,” added Sherrell.

This event also has a personal significance for the Kingsley Fire Fighters. One of their very own fire fighters, Tim Van Leeuwen, was diagnosed with a blood cancer in 2016. 

Van Leeuwan has been returned to full duty status, and was even able to participate in the event for the second year in a row as a survivor battalion climber.

“I am inspired to raise money and push my physical limits to show support for Tim, as well as all people who have lost their battles to blood cancers, those fighting the battle today, and all who will be diagnosed in the future,” says Sherrell. 

This year’s stair climb was successful in raising approximately 2.4 million dollars. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which organizes the event, has raised approximately one billion dollars total for cancer research.

The individuals that participated with Sherrell in this year’s event included: Captain’s Vince Lombardo, Derrick Laughlin, and Dan Bigham, and Fire Fighters Tim Van Leeuwen, Fred Heavilin, Ryan Barnes, Mathew Knitter, Nathan Markee, and Jesse Mullaney. 

“This was a true team event from our fire and emergency services,” added Owens. “Even the members that were not able to make the trip to support the climbers, volunteered to work backfill at home and support the 173rd Fighter Wing mission.”

The Kingsley Field Fire Department is responsible for delivering fire services to the flying mission of the 173rd Fighter Wing, as well as providing mutual aid for the Klamath County community.

Community leadership academy learns about Illinois Air National Guard missions

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Douglas Vrchota, right, and Senior Airman Randle Taborn, both fire protection specialists with the 182nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, describe their unit’s rescue equipment to participants in the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership Academy during a community relations tour at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill., March 13, 2018. The guests met Airmen from various career fields and learned about their state and federal mission set capabilities. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Lealan Buehrer)

PEORIA, IL, UNITED STATES

03.13.2018

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Lealan Buehrer 

182nd Airlift Wing

NSF Deveselu Sailors Conduct Operational Readiness Assessment Evaluation

DEVESELU, Romania (March 21, 2018) Sailors assigned to Naval Support Facility Deveselu participate in an active shooter scenario with base firefighters during an Operational Readiness Assessment. NSF Deveselu and AAMDS Romania are co-located with the Romanian 99th Military Base and play a key role in ballistic missile defense in Eastern Europe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jeremy Starr/Released)

Women Making History, Pestello’s Story

Airman 1st Class Lindey Pestello, a 179th Airlift Wing firefighter, stands proud in the fire station at the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio, as part of a 179th AW Women Making History' campaign for the month, Mar. 3, 2018. The month of March is nationally observed as Women's History Month and recognizes the struggles and achievements of women throughout the history of the United States. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Megan Shepherd\Released)

MANSFIELD, OH, UNITED STATES

03.21.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Megan Shepherd 

179th Airlift Wing  

MANSFIELD, Ohio – March is observed nationally as Women’s History Month. One way to highlight the history of women in the Air National Guard is to observe them making history today in the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio.

Women at the 179th AW are outnumbered by male Airmen, currently the unit is under 25% female, and that statistic is not unusual for any military installation. The goal is to raise that number to 30% by 2026. As the unit approaches its 70th anniversary it strives to reach further milestones of empowering female Airmen. 

Recently, the unit has made history appointing Col. Allison C. Miller as the first female wing commander in the Ohio Air National Guard. Last year, Col. Patricia L. Barr became the Mission Support Group Commander and a female from the unit Chief Master Sgt. Heidi A. Bunker, was selected to be the Command Chief for the 178th Wing. The 179th AW currently has two female Chief Master Sergeants, Chief Dana M. Togliatti and Chief April R. Gunnoe.

Leadership roles are an important step to acknowledging that although they are still outnumbered, they are valued for the diversity they bring to the unit and equal in their ability to get the mission accomplished.

For some of the youngest Airmen, these changes are happening while they are still trying to figure out their roles and career ambitions. Some of the women have been around long enough to personally feel the climate change and can remember a time when they personally felt limited by traditional gender roles.

Airman 1st Class Lindey Pestello is currently the one and only female firefighter at the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio.

She came into the Air National Guard wanting to be a firefighter, but knew it would be challenging in a male dominated field.

“It is hard because I am the only female, but I feel like they do the best they can to keep me included and treat me as equally as possible.”

Fire protection is important for the unit and they are always readily available to help in a crisis. It’s a big priority to protect themselves and each other so they can then assist other people.

Not only is she the only female firefighter at the 179th, she was the only female in her class at technical training school, but she had some female instructors and people she worked with that influenced her and helped her be successful.

“Being the only female is a little difficult but it’s rewarding,” said Pestello.

Pestello is extremely proud of the changes that have been happening. She said it is awesome that we have a female commander now and she really looks up to her and that helps reassure her decision on continuing her career in the military.

Pestello said she walks around with her head held higher after joining the Air National Guard and she feels like she can influence the younger girls in her family.

“The more women that serve, the more it’s becoming acceptable and appreciated”, said Pestello. “We just need to keep promoting and showing other females that they can do it and continue to be good role models.”