West Virginia National Guard aids state in mine rescue operations

Soldiers from Charlie Company, 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment, West Virginia National Guard, assist in convoy operations of mine rescue teams with the West Virginia Miners' Health, Safety, and Training agency at the Rock House Powellton coal mine in Whitesville, W.Va., Dec. 12, 2018. The WVNG assisted rescue operations for three missing people. A fourth person left the mine earlier. (Photo Credit: Edwin Wriston)

CHARLESTON, WV, UNITED STATES
12.14.2018
Story by Sgt. Zoe Morris
West Virginia National Guard 
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When the West Virginia Watch Center, operated by the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) received a call on Dec. 9, 2018, that four individuals were determined missing after entering the decommissioned Elk Run Coal Company’s Rock House Powellton Mine near Clear Creek in Raleigh County, West Virginia, the state sprang into action.

The terrain near the entrances to the mine was rough and muddy after an exceptionally large amount of snowfall had fallen in the area days before. A determination was made that West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) assets – specifically Humvee vehicles - were the safest way to transport rescue crews on and off the mine site.

The deterioration of the unused mine roads warranted all safety precautions to be taken to ensure the safety of the rescuers.

The West Virginia National Guard and WVDHSEM’s integration in the State Emergency Operations Center allowed for the quick deployment of the necessary resources for the mine rescue workers.

On December 10, a team of eight Soldiers and three Humvees from the 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment out of Beckley, were assigned to assist the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training (MHS&T) in the search efforts, providing transportation to the rescue site.

After more than 24 hours of work to clear water and provide ventilation into the mine site, 10 additional Soldiers from the 863rd Military Police Company were assigned to augment the efforts on December 12, providing additional security augmentation to the West Virginia State Police at the opposite mine entrance and liaison duties between the SEOC and the incident location. With the addition of the Soldiers from the 863rd MP Co., the total number of support personnel from the WVNG reached 18 total.

After the rescue efforts proved successful later in the evening of Dec. 12, 2018, and the three individuals were rescued and transported to receive medical attention, the WVNG assets demobilized.

“The National Guard in West Virginia stands ready at all hours to aid our neighbours, no matter the situation,” Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, said. “The SEOC headquartered at the WVNG Joint Force Headquarters here in Charleston has shown that by co-locating, we are able to respond quickly and efficiently in case of an emergency. I am proud of all the Guard members who stepped up to assist our neighbours and partners."

Firefighters strengthen alliance, improve life-saving skills

Photo By Senior Airman Gregory Nash | Firefighters from the 23d Civil Engineer Squadron and Valdosta Fire Department conduct live-fire training, Nov. 29, 2018, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The units strengthened their alliance and firefighting capabilities by jointly extinguishing a simulated aircraft fire to maintain their Airport Rescue and Firefighting proficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Greg Nash) 

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GA, UNITED STATES

12.18.2018

Story by Senior Airman Gregory Nash 

23rd Wing Public Affairs  

Bright orange balls of flames rage as a C-130 implodes from an aircraft malfunction in a desolate area near Moody’s flight line. 

As the inferno spreads and its fiery glare lights up the night, silhouettes emerge from the red, white and blue lights flashing from firetrucks. 

Advancing from the glimmer, the 23d Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) and Valdosta Fire Department’s (VPD) firefighters rush to the scene with hoses and hardhats with one mission -- to win the fight against the blaze during live-fire training.

“The training scenario’s goal was to refresh our firefighting capabilities and be able to proficiently control, access, and extinguish fires while working together as one team,” said Staff Sgt. Trevor Alexis, 23d CES firefighter. “We were able to set aside our ways of training through many years of firefighting expertise and come together to accomplish the mission of extinguishing the aircraft fire.”

While safely extinguishing a simulated aircraft ground emergency during the training, the two organizations enhanced their life-saving capabilities while strengthening their alliance to accomplish their objective.

According to Alexis, live-fire training is critical within the firefighter career field as it is reported to the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) for annual training purposes. AFCEC compiles fire department unit’s annual training in the aspects of critical, non-critical, and local prime beef operations to help maintain proficiency.

The ability to exchange expert knowledge and understand best practices with firefighters from the local community helps Moody’s firefighters stay the course. Training together on Moody’s fire pit training grounds helps firefighters like Jonny Henry, VPD battalion chief, understand the advantages of this partnership.

“The use of Moody’s facilities and fire training simulator has proven to beneficial to the Valdosta Fire Department in ensuring that our ARFF program continues to be sustainable to provide the Valdosta Airport with our services by keeping our personnel certified as required by the Federal Aviation Administration,” said Henry.

“(Moody’s) fire training grounds allow us to be proactive and better prepared for fire emergency and hazardous materials incidents,” Henry added. “Utilizing the available resources correctly along with enhanced learning of fire suppression techniques helps to keep ourselves safe and ultimately accomplish our goals of life-safety and emergency mitigation.”

Using their wits and grit, the firefighters successfully beat the heat by entering the collapsed aircraft to reduce asset damage and ensure life safety.

After the training concluded, the firefighters witnessed the final flames flicker out and looked forward to the next opportunity. 

“The biggest takeaway from this training was understanding the capabilities we had from one section to another and working together to accomplish one mission,” said Alexis. “This strengthens our relationship tremendously and gives our big inbound of new personnel a chance to make (connections).

“We will continue to build this alliance to always supporting special city events and welcoming each other to funded or non-funded training exercises,” Alexis added.

Fire chief retires after 42 years of service

Photo By Giancarlo Casem | Members of the Edwards Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services pose for a group photo with retiring Fire Chief, Michael Hurles, at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Nov. 16. (U.S. Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CA, UNITED STATES

12.14.2018

Courtesy Story

412th Test Wing Public Affairs  

 

Installation Fire Chief Michael Hurles retired after 42 years of service during a ceremony at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 14.

As Installation Fire Chief, Hurles led a workforce of 113 civilian and military firefighters operating out of five fire stations. He accepted the responsibility of providing fire protection for 14 air platforms, 773 facilities that cover more than 308,000 acres of base property, and 12,000 personnel within the community without any negative impacts or delays to the Air Force Flight Test Center mission and projects. 

Tammy Hurles, wife of retiring Fire Chief, Michael Hurles, pins a retirement pin during a retirement ceremony at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 14. Hurles retired after 42 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

Additionally, he championed the introduction of multi-agency response for active-shooter events by ensuring fire, security forces, and emergency medical services followed the same response protocols. Hurles fostered relationships with surrounding counties and California City by providing fire protection and emergency medical response, through mutual aid agreements, in an expedient manner limiting loss to life, property and endangerment to the environment. His knowledge led to successful fire protection programs covering space shuttle missions to multiple projects at AFRL encompassing TAM Motor Testing, advanced third-stage rocket motor tests, Trident missile testing, Atlas solid rocket booster, and XLR program.

Hurles’ 42 years of service led to Edwards playing a large role in fire and emergency services by winning the 1993 “Best Fire Department in the Air Force” award; “Best Large Fire Department in Air Force Materiel Command” in 2004, 2013 and 2014; and the “Fire Prevention Program of the Year in Air Force Materiel Command” award in 2015. Under his purview, members of the department received the “Chief Fire Officer of the Year” award in 2015 and 2016; and the “Fire Instructor of the Year in Air Force Materiel Command” for 2017.

AL ASAD AIR BASE, IRAQ Firefighter Challenge

AL ASAD AIR BASE, IRAQ
10.11.2018
Photo by 1st Lt. Leland White
201st Regional Support Group 

U.S. service members and coalition forces participating in the Firefighter Challenge hosted by the Al Asad Air Base (AAAB) Fire Department at AAAB, Iraq, Oct. 11, 2018. The challenge involved various physical activities a firefighter could face during an emergency call. AAAB is a Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve enhanced partner capacity location dedicated to training partner forces and enhancing their effectiveness. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Leland White)

2018 Kadena Fire Muster

KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JAPAN
10.11.2018
Photo by Airman Matthew Seefeldt
18th Wing Public Affairs 


A participant runs an obstacle while carrying a hose during the 2018 Fire Muster Oct. 11, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The fire muster was one of many events hosted by the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron during Fire Prevention Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Seefeldt)