Driving innovation: 97 AMW Fire Department receives new simulators

Jonathan Matthews, a 97th Air Mobility Wing Fire Department firefighter, drives a firetruck driving simulator Jan. 15, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The simulator comes with scenarios built in, but can also be customized for brand new scenarios, allowing firefighters to hone their skills in a variety of situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jeremy Wentworth)

By Airman 1st Class Jeremy Wentworth, 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs / 

Published January 24, 2019

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) -- The 97th Air Mobility Wing Fire Department has made its dedication to innovation clear with the addition of three simulators to assist in training.

One simulator allows firefighters to use virtual reality to practice fighting fires with a hose and one is a trainer for the pump systems on a firetruck. They can cover a large amount of what goes into fighting a fire but the newest simulator fills the gap.

“It’s a driving simulator,” said Philip Fourroux, 97th AMW Fire Department fire chief. “It allows us to train how to drive at a really low risk.”

The simulator is equipped with four 55” LED displays and a driving cab complete with a driver’s setup, a passenger seat and a hydraulic system similar to the aircraft simulators also found on base.

“Obviously, the controls aren’t perfect,” said Fourroux. “You are never going to fully replicate the feeling of driving. It’s the muscle memory that this allows us to teach; that’s invaluable.”

While the three simulators are not necessarily focused on the military or manufactured with the intent to work together, the fire department created an innovative solution where all three now work together in a single process.

“We got in contact with the makers of the pump system trainers,” said Fourroux. “The remade pumps look exactly like the pump system on our trucks. With the firefighting simulator, we worked to get a C-17 (Globemaster III) in there to work on aircraft fires.”

The simulators are run by trainers who incorporate the simulations into a chronological event.

“We can start out with driving the fire truck,” said Fourroux. “Once they get to the scene, they can hop over to the pump simulator and get everything ready before they get on the VR headset and actually fight the fire. We’ve incorporated our five-level upgrade training in the systems to the Airmen can practice before the real thing.”

The simulators are saving money and resources for the base and improving current and future operations.

“Every time we go out there to train, we’re using resources and putting wear on our gear,” said Fourroux. “We have to go out and do a driving course on every vehicle. When we go out there and practice in the vehicles themselves, we’re putting wear on them as well as putting a vehicle out of commission for that time. With the simulators, we can train and get the feel for it before we even go out. It cuts hours and saves thousands of dollars.”

With the evolution of technology, the next generation of Airmen are receiving opportunities that older generations could not have dreamed of.

“As a young firefighter, this would’ve been invaluable,” said Fourroux. “The extra training that they get puts them miles ahead of anyone in their shoes 50 years ago. It’s only going up from here.”

Soldiers with Task Force 76 and Firefighters from Miami- Dade joint training.

HOMESTEAD, FL, UNITED STATES

01.24.2019

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Javier Orona 

U.S. Army Reserve Command  

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Firefighters from Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue Department wait for training with the United States Army Reserve to officially begin, Jan. 24, 2019 in Homestead, Florida. Army Reserve Soldiers with Task Force 76, CBRN Response Element (CRE) conducted joint training with the department. CRE is a multi-component DoD entity that responds in the event of a catastrophic CBRN accident/incident, to conduct direct life-saving and critical life-saving enabling tasks for CBRN response operations in support of civil authorities in the United States and U.S. Territories in order to save lives, minimize human suffering, maintain public confidence, and mitigate the effects of CBRN incidents.

U.S. Marines (ARFF) ignite a fuel fire in a training pit

MCAS FUTENMA, OKINAWA, JAPAN
01.24.2019
Photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Rogge
Marine Corps Installations Pacific

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U.S. Marines with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) ignite a fuel fire in a training pit Jan. 24, 2019 during live-burn training on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The training is held monthly to provide ARFF Marines with training scenarios to enhance their readiness to respond to any potential hazards or emergencies on the flight line. ARFF Marines entered the training area and used various hand lines, also known as a fire hose, to control and extinguish the fire. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Rogge)

130th Airlift Wing, Yeager Airport share vital relationship

Photo By Capt. Aaron Moshier | Airmen assigned to the 130th Fire and Emergency Services tend to a civilian April 10, 2018 at Yeager Airport, Charleston, W.Va. The 130th FES works closely with Yeager on other things such as wildlife control, safety regulations, medical calls, all airfield issues and overall security. (Courtesy Photo)

CHARLESTON, WV, UNITED STATES

01.25.2019

Story by Senior Airman Caleb Vance 

130th Airlift Wing Air National Guard Public Affairs  

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The 130th Airlift Wing and neighbouring Yeager Airport have a very unique partnership. The two facilities that both veer off Greenbrier Street in Charleston, W.Va. coexist in a vital relationship. 

The history between the two goes back to the creation of both. In 1944, the construction for then Charleston Airport began following World War II, and as its completion came about three years later, Brig. Gen. J. Kemp McLaughlin, a former World War II pilot, established the West Virginia Air National Guard. 

Yeager Airport is the premier airport in the state of West Virginia. It hosts flights all over the country through various airlines and generates approximately $174 million annually and has a huge economic impact on the state of West Virginia. 

On the other hand, the 130th Airlift Wing is also a key player in West Virginia’s economic impact, contributing $50 million annually with 1,100 part-time employees and around 300 full-time employees.

“From the economic impact to our shared relationship with the community, our partnership has built and continues to build on those foundations,” Col. Johnny Ryan, 130th Airlift Wing Commander, explained. “To simply put it, we would no longer be here if it were not for the other.”

The one thing that keeps the two a powerhouse in the Kanawha Valley is the 130th’s Fire and Emergency Services, which is part of the Civil Engineering Squadron. They provide Yeager with 24-hour a day, 365 days a year of emergency, medical and fire protection services in exchange for the 130th leasing the airport for $1 per year. Additionally, the 130th does not have to maintain the airport.

If the fire department was not there, it would cost Yeager over $2 million annually to provide similar services from a civilian department. Yeager would have to raise the landing fees by nearly doubling them as well as the lease for businesses in the facility by $7 per square foot. This would prove to be detrimental to the airport and ultimately West Virginia’s economy itself.

Likewise, the fire department proved to be essential when in 2005 the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRACC) had plans to decommission the 130th, but Yeager, along with the surrounding community and state as a whole, vouched for the wing and its impact.

The development of the Master Cooperative Agreement (MCA) between the 130th Fire Emergency Services and Yeager Airport began in 1988. It has allowed the airport and 130th to be recognized as an Air Carrier Emergency Landing Location for all types of in-flight emergencies 24 hours a day.

“In my opinion, this is one of the finest working relationships you will find throughout the United States,” said Carver. “Our joint agreement is a huge win-win for both the Air National Guard and the Airport Authority, plus it provides us with constant on-the-job training to keep us always ready to go.”

Additionally, the 130th works closely with Yeager on other things such as wildlife control, safety regulations, all airfield issues and overall security. The two are often engaged for a variety of reasons, such as airport runway expansion and air shows. 

“The partnership between Yeager Airport and the 130th Airlift Wing is a partnership that benefits both organizations and needless to say, we greatly value our relationship with the 130th,” said Terry Sayre, Director of Yeager Airport.

Senior Airman Matthew Archer, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

01.16.2019

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys 

386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs  

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Senior Airman Matthew Archer, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter driver/operator, a Reservist deployed from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, responds to a dumpster fire at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Jan. 17, 2019. Firefighters here are responsible for the fire protection of Air Force, joint service, and coalition personnel and assets. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys)