104th Civil Engineering Squadron performed rapid intervention training

Doug Stowers and Caleb Holden, 104th Civil Engineering Squadron firefighters, participate in rapid intervention training, Feb. 9, 2019, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. Rapid intervention training ensures firefighter safety and focuses on assisting a downed firefighter that is out of air. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Randy Burlingame)

WESTFIELD, MA, UNITED STATES
02.14.2019
Story by Airman 1st Class Randall Burlingame
104th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs 

BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Massachusetts – Firefighters from the 104th Civil Engineering Squadron performed rapid intervention training, Feb. 9, 2019, here.

Rapid intervention training ensures firefighter safety and focuses on assisting a downed firefighter that is out of air.

“We have to have the ability to rapidly rescue them,” said Fire Lieutenant Travis Witbeck, 104th CES “That’s why we have to maintain a Rapid Intervention Team, for when we have people in hazardous environments. It’s strictly for the safety of firefighters.”

This particular training allowed the firefighters to implement multiple components into one exercise, said Witbeck. These components include forcible entry, search and rescue, and CPR.

“All of these elements are not usually thrown together because it is a little bit more complex,” said Witbeck. “This was one of the first times we were able to put so much into it.”

During the exercise firefighters could be seen breaching shut doors, crawling on the ground to follow a firehose, dragging a downed firefighter out of a compromised area, and applying CPR.

The teams all carried a RIT bag with them, which is used to carry an air cylinder that will provide a downed firefighter with air they need, said Witbeck.

“If you’re the downed firefighter and you have no air left and we bring in a full cylinder, then theoretically what will happen is they should both be at half,” said Witbeck. “So you’ll always have spare air.”

Witbeck said the RIT teams are prepared to deal with situations aside from low air.

“When you’re going through a lot of stuff, like walls and stuff like that, there can be damage to the mask and that’s what causes the original problem,” said Witbeck. “So we keep a spare mask on here too.”

Airman William Borcy, 104th Civil Engineering Squadron firefighter, said he found the training to be very hands-on and all-encompassing.

“If there’s ever a call we’ll know what to do,” said Borcy. “We’ll know how to get them and how to start CPR. It’s not just knowing it, but saying I can do it.”

Airman William Borcy, 104th Civil Engineering Squadron firefighter, participates in rapid intervention training Feb. 9, 2019, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. Rapid intervention training ensures firefighter safety and focuses on assisting a downed firefighter that is out of air. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Randy Burlingame)

First U.S.-Japan joint field drill 2019

ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN
02.19.2019
Video by Daisuke Sato

US Army Garrison - Japan 

Narration:
Emergency services personnel from the Kanagawa Prefecture Police, South Kanto Defense Bureau, Kanagawa Prefectural Government, Zama City, and U.S. Army Garrison Japan recently conducted the first-ever U.S.-Japan Joint field drill, based on U.S.-Japan guidelines regarding off-base U.S. military aircraft accidents in Japan, at the bed of the Sagami River near Camp Zama.

Interview: Keiichi Kamoshita, Superintendent, Crisis Management Division, Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters
When an incident like today's occurs and you have an accident scene, the mission to save lives always comes first. In order for us to do that, we need to ensure cooperation between the relevant organizations on both the U.S. and Japan side, and that includes sharing information promptly and working together on rescue operations. One of our goals with today's exercise is to make sure each relevant organization from the U.S. and Japan understands their role and is able to share that necessary information and take the appropriate measures.
Narration:
The exercise included numerous drills in which both the U.S. and Japan personnel demonstrated their proficiency at fire extinguishment, rescue operations, setting up a command post, and other on-scene coordination. The drill also helped assess the participants’ ability to handle a variety of emergency scenarios jointly.

Interview: COL Phillip Gage, Commander, U.S. Army Garrison Japan


Interview: Mayor Mikio Endo, Zama City
Last year and the year before, we had a few fire incidents both on and off Camp Zama, and both Camp Zama and Zama City firefighters worked together to extinguish the fires at both scenes. I think that was a result of both departments’ constant effort to maintain a good working relationship on a daily basis. Even in today’s drill, I was able to see their great cooperation in action. I strongly believe that Zama City and the U.S. Army have a great relationship.


Narration:
The U.S.-Japan guidelines regarding off-base U.S. military aircraft accidents in Japan was implemented in 2005 to ensure all affected agencies understand the relevant rules and roles in the event of a downed aircraft, or if there are injuries involved.

Reporting for U.S. Army Garrison Japan Public Affairs,

American Consulate General Naha hosts an event for Okinawa students to explore career paths at the Fire Station on MCAS

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MCAS FUTENMA, OKINAWA, JAPAN
02.16.2019
Photo by Pfc. Brennan Beauton
Marine Corps Installations Pacific

U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Crash, Fire and Rescue demonstrate their readiness Feb. 16 at the Fire Station on MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines demonstrated putting on their gear in under two minutes, simulating swift response time to real-life emergencies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Brennan Beauton)


Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Crash, Fire and Rescue pack up the hose Feb. 16 at the Firehouse on MCAS Futenma. The Marines demonstrated how to properly use the hose to put out different types of fires. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Brennan Beauton)

An emergency medical technician with Marine Corps Installations Pacific Fire and Emergency Services Japan displays defibrillators Feb. 16 at the Firehouse on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Defibrillators are an essential part of an EMT's equipment used to deliver an electric shock to restart a patients heart. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Brennan Beauton)

Employee receives critical fire protection license

Employee receives critical fire protection license
LOUISVILLE, KY, UNITED STATES
02.13.2019
Story by Abby Korfhage
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District 

After years of dedication, Louisville District Mechanical Engineer Vu Nguyen recently received his Fire Protection Professional Engineer license in December 2018, after passing an intense 8-hour exam with 80 questions.

Nguyen spent years practising for the exam, took numerous training courses and spent many months studying for the exam, which has a pass rate of 56 percent, according to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying website.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment and truly reflective of Vu's dedication to his profession and colleagues,” said Mike Braden, engineering design branch chief. “For those of us who are fortunate enough to work with him every day, it comes as no surprise as he has never been intimidated by the prospect of hard work to help deliver our mission.”

Nguyen is currently the second fire protection engineer in the Louisville District and soon to be the only one, following Mark Robertson’s retirement. The district is required to have a designated fire protection engineer on staff, so this was a critical need for the district since the only FPE is eligible for retirement.

“Fire protection engineering is a very specialized field and licensed fire protection engineers are relatively rare,” Nguyen said.

Nguyen had an interest in fire suppression system design for many years. He discovered his interest for the license during his time in the district’s Leadership Development Program. He knew it would help the Louisville District while also potentially advancing his career.

“For several years, I worked with the engineering division leadership to receive the necessary training and developmental assignments to build competency in the field,” Nguyen said. “I began studying for the license itself in January 2018, working on it for one to two hours per day through July. From July to October, I took the Society of Fire Protection Engineering exam review course, and then the last two months prior to the exam date, I took three weeks of annual leave to study.”

Fire protection engineers ensure that the materials of construction; layout of a facility; and fire suppression, detection and alarm systems are designed and constructed to result in a safe building for the occupants.

“Any designs we produce must be designed or reviewed by a qualified FPE,” said Brandon Martin, engineering division's mechanical section chief. “There are less than 50 FPEs in all of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.”

According to Nguyen, This type of certification is needed for the building construction and building renovation for almost all vertical construction projects. For the district’s in-house design projects, the FPE will work with each engineering discipline and architects to design facilities to meet life safety and fire protection requirements. For Architect-Engineer designed projects, the FPE will either be the life safety/fire protection reviewer or lead a fire team in the review. The FPE will also be the ‘go-to’ engineer to handle fire protection problems during construction or for existing building assessments.

“Having the fire protection engineering license will allow the district to maintain its ability to meet the design and construction mission in compliance with life safety and fire protection mandates, help the district deliver safe buildings, and gives stakeholders confidence in our ability to do those things,” Nguyen said.

CNRSE Recognizes Fire Prevention Excellence

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nick Grim | Photo by Robert Winchester. NS Mayport fire inspectors James Fletcher, Anita Wilson, and Burgess Porter of First Coast Navy Fire and Emergency Services pose for a photo following selection by Commander, Navy Region Southeast as Fire Prevention Program of the Year.

JACKSONVILLE, FL, UNITED STATES
02.13.2019
Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nick Grim
Naval Air Station Jacksonville

Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) has named First Coast Navy Fire and Emergency Services as the CNRSE Fire Prevention Program of the Year.
First Coast Navy Fire and Emergency Services is a joint unit between NAS Jax and NS Mayport that spreads awareness in addition to their firefighting efforts and training.
“I want to commend our Fire Prevention Team on this recognition for their dedication to keeping NAS Jax and NS Mayport safe through various initiatives,” said First Coast Navy Fire and Emergency Services Fire Chief Mark Brusoe. “Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention Robert Winchester is an exceptional lead supervisor and strives for excellence every day. I am so proud of all this team has accomplished.”

Being more innovative and interactive with the community and public at large set First Coast apart from other agencies.
“Personally I think we won because we are innovative, we do things that other bases do not or have not done,” said Winchester. “We initiate programs while many others follow programs.”
First Coast brought in innovative internal maintenance and cleanliness tracking programming to monitor commercial kitchen systems, coordinated and conducted research for testing and maintaining installed fire protections systems ensuring total compliance, and partnered with the Navy Exchange to develop a food truck inspection program.
Among their community outreach, the fire prevention team hosted fire station tours, presented 112 safety lectures and hands-on demonstrations, home and work evacuation planning, fire safety awareness training to child development centers, provided base resources to local schools, among other methods of public education.
“You can have no training but have awareness and still make a difference in fire prevention,” said Winchester. “We try to make everyone aware through safety standdowns, media outlets, and other trainings.”
Winchester said he feels that being more innovative and interactive with the different branches, community, and public set First Coast apart from other agencies.

Naval Air Station Jacksonville Fire Inspectors (from left) Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention Robert Winchester, Michael Minnie, Robert Adams, Tony Dawson and Nicholas Dmytrus. Photo by Reggie Jarrett