Video: GERMANY U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach Fire Department training

ANSBACH, Germany (April 10, 2019) -- Civilian firefighters with the U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach Fire Department are conducting firefighter communication rescue and environmental disaster response training, at Katterbach Army Airfield. (U.S. Army Photo by Charles Rosemond)

ANSBACH, BY, GERMANY
04.10.2019
Video by Charles Rosemond
Training Support Activity Europe         

ANSBACH, Germany (April 10, 2019) - Civilian firefighters with U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach Fire Department conduct hazmat, firefighter communication rescue and environmental disaster response training at Katterbach Army Airfield. (U.S. Army video by Charles Rosemond)

FORT POLK Friendly fire station tour

Photo By Chuck Cannon | Rusty Buentello, Fort Polk fire inspector, is the center of a massive hug from FTCA students thanking him for a wonderful tour of the fire station April 10. 

FORT POLK, LA, UNITED STATES
04.12.2019
Story by Chuck Cannon
Fort Polk Public Affairs Office 

By ANGIE THORNE
Guardian staff writer

FORT POLK, La. — From their perspective, any day kids get to go on a field trip is probably a fun day. Two K-4 (kindergarten) classes of excited 4 and 5 year-olds from Faith Training Christian Academy, Leesville, had one of those “fun” days as they toured the Fort Polk Fire Department April 10.
The students explored fire trucks, toured the fire station and took turns spraying the fire hose (with a little help).
Sara Newman, K-4 teacher, said the field trip offered students the chance to experience and learn new things about firefighters and the job they do, while also absorbing basic fire prevention skills. Newman said it made an impression on her students when Fort Polk firefighters explained the parts of their uniforms and described and demonstrated the importance of each piece of equipment.
“What the firefighters sound like when they have their gear on is the first step to help kids understand what to expect if they are in a fire and see a firefighter in their home,” she said.
Krista Henry, K-4 teacher, said if you are 4 or 5 and your house is on fire, you are going to be scared.
“There’s smoke and alarms and then you see this big guy in strange gear coming at you. Of course they are going to be frightened,” she said. “But now they know what to expect and that the firefighter is there to help them. That could make a huge difference.”
Matthew Chapman, Fort Polk firefighter, told the kids, “The worst thing you can do is hide from us in that situation. You want to get out of the house that is on fire and we are there to help you do that.”
Rusty Buentello, Fort Polk fire inspector, said tours teach kids basic fire safety and that firefighters are there to help them.
“If they are in trouble, we want them to run to us when they see our trucks and uniforms, not away from us,” he said.
Buentello said his favorite thing about conducting the tours is watching the happy expressions on kid’s faces as they explore fire trucks.
“It’s wonderful to see,” he said.
Courtney Whitehead attended the tour with her daughter, Abbie-Mae. Although she said Abbie-Mae knows what to do if a fire happens, she is glad her daughter has an opportunity to learn even more fire safety.
“She has been very excited about this tour,” she said.
Whitehead said her daughter loves water and couldn’t wait to spray the fire hose.
Abbie-Mae said it was really fun.
“I loved spraying the hose up and down. I sprayed water really high,” she said.
Capt. Chris Rosado, Joint Readiness Training Center Operations Group, attended the tour with his son Weston. He said it’s good to spend this kind of one-on-one time with him.
“He had a ball. He’ll be talking about this tour for the next two weeks,” he said.
After taking the tour, Lincoln Dowden, an FTCA student, said being a firefighter would be a good job.
The field trip was also part of the FTCA’s effort to promote the idea of teaching kids about community service.
Newman said kids gave teddy bears to the firefighters to hand out to other kids when they go out on emergency calls.
“We are trying to teach them a spirit of kindness and compassion in giving back to the community. We explained to them that when kids their age have been through an accident or a fire and have maybe lost everything they own, the teddy bear might bring them some comfort,” she said.
Henry said it makes their students feel better to pass that love and joy forward.
Newman said felt the tour was a huge success.
“I want to thank Fort Polk and the firefighters for allowing us to visit post for the tour,” she said.
“Fort Polk was very welcoming,” said Henry.

MCAS IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN

Firefighters with Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni Fire Department conduct the rescue of a simulated casualty trapped in an escalator during an escalator rescue drill at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, April 9, 2019. The firefighters used an escalator in the old Marine Corps exchange because the building is slated for demolition later this year. This was a unique training experience for the firefighters because many had never conducted escalator rescue drills mostly due to high repair costs that come with the training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stephen Campbell)

MCAS IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN

04.11.2019

Story by Cpl. Stephen Campbell 

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni  

Even after its closure, the old Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni still serves a purpose on base. Slated for demolition later this year, firefighters with MCAS Iwakuni Fire Department used the dark, empty building to conduct escalator rescue drills on April 9, 2019.

Since this type of training can destroy an escalator, firefighters saw the upcoming demolition as an opportunity to jump on some uncommon training without the escalator requiring a repair. This was also a rare training event because there aren’t many military installations in Japan that have escalators. 

Issei Hashimoto, a firefighter with MCAS Iwakuni Fire Department, said that the number of escalator accidents that happen may be small, but they do happen. This is a very rare and important training opportunity to respond to accidents like that. If a passenger got stuck in an escalator, the firefighter could take too long if they don’t have the skills to rescue the trapped passenger.

To give an idea of how rare and important this training was, Toru Hirota, the performance assessment representative at Facilities Support Contracts, said this was his first escalator rescue training experience after 13 years with his employer. Also, the escalator has been on the air station for approximately 25 years and this was the first training held, mostly due to high repair expenses.

“This is the first training in my life… and probably the last training in my life,” said Hirota.

Firefighters used a life-sized adult test dummy to simulate a passenger falling through an escalator, and they used small test dummy body parts to simulate a small child’s foot or hand getting stuck. Each simulated incident was treated as an actual emergency response and the firefighters treated each simulated injury with care by assessing the blood pressure and heart rate of each test dummy. They also carried each dummy away from the scene on a stretcher.

After each test dummy was carried away, responders huddled together in a circle and held an after action brief to describe what it was like to pull the simulated limbs, or bodies, out of the escalator, their effectiveness, what they could do to improve and discussed the well-being of each simulated passenger affected.

The reason they treated this as a very serious situation is because many times firefighters are the first responders to provide medical support whenever a real incident occurs. They intend to save lives that could be impacted by an escalator incident quickly and efficiently as possible in the future.

None of this training would have been possible without station facilities, who allowed the firefighters to use the obsolete escalator. Hirota said he coordinated with seven different organizations for this training such as Marine Corps Community Services, Army Corps of Engineers, the government of Japan and others to get this training up and going.

Overall, this training grants firefighters’ increased confidence if an incident ever were to occur. 

Hashimoto said that as a firefighter, his mission is to save lives. He’s just thankful for the opportunity to do this and is hopeful to do training like this again.

Base commander and command chief join fire team for exercise

Base commander and command chief join fire team for exercise
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CA, UNITED STATES
04.09.2019
Story by Senior Airman Clayton Wear
30th Space Wing Public Affairs   

Col. Michael Hough, 30th Space Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Diena Mosely, 30th Space Wing command chief, joined the Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department March 21, 2019 as they conducted fire training at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Throughout the fire exercise, Hough and Mosely experienced what procedures are necessary to combat small-scale fire conditions, giving them just a taste of what Vandenberg firefighters are exposed to during a fire.

“This type of interaction with firefighters gives Col. Hough and Chief Mosely an opportunity to see what we do, and how we do it,” said Senior Master Sgt. Corey Coleman, 30th CES deputy fire chief. “This helps them understand what they can do to assist us in accomplishing our mission, which is to provide fire and emergency services to the 30th Space Wing and our surrounding community.”

By allowing Hough and Mosely to integrate into the training, the team was able to share knowledge on proper protective gear and procedure to perform their duties in a safe manor, providing leadership with a further understanding to advocate for the necessity of the diverse skillsets within their mission.

The Fire Department not only trains hard, but works hard every day, and due to their outstanding performance and dedication, the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department was recognized as the Best Fire Department in the Air Force for 2018, marking their sixth AF level award in the last 14 years.

The Vandenberg Fire Department, composed of 116 firefighters and technical support specialists, operating out of six fire stations spread across Vandenberg, does more than simply responding to calls on the installation. The team often works hand-in-hand with state first responders, aides in the recovery of high value assets and, on previous missions, will travel the span of the continental U.S. in order to aid rescue efforts. They are also assigned to the California National Incident Response Teams and have responded to Hurricane Katrina, the Space Shuttle Columbia search and recovery, wildland fires in Colorado Springs, Hurricane Florence and the Goleta mudslide disaster, just to name a few.

“Our firefighters have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their off-base counterparts during the biggest fires in California…saving thousands of lives, homes and businesses,” said Mark Farias, 30th CES fire chief. “This cooperation has been reciprocal, as was evident during the 2016 Canyon Fire. Over 1,000 off-base firefighters put their safety at risk in combating this fire and saving many of our critical facilities.”

According to Farias, due to their passion for innovation and their desire to serve, the Fire Department has developed new metrics of efficiency, effectiveness and better leaders for the U.S. Air Force and has also split into different sections, allowing members to grow as great leaders at every level.

“Our innovations have driven new performance paradigms for our career field which have lead our peers across the Department of Defense,” said Farias. “By investing in our leaders and developing diverse talent in every functional area of our organization. While the majority of personnel work in the Emergency Response section, we also have Fire Inspectors, Arson Investigators, 9-11 Dispatchers, Hot Shots and Paramedics.”

In order to lead with effectiveness, efficiency and attitude, every service the team provides both locally and abroad takes top priority.

“As a team we build our reputation – one 911 call, one emergency response, one fire safety inspection at a time. We know that every action we take has an impact on the lives of our customers. We respond to and solve some of our community’s toughest problems,” said Coleman. “We sweat hard to support our customers in every aspect of their lives – at work, at play and at home. Our people dedicate themselves day in and day out to fulfilling our mission…Serve – Save – Survive.”

Thanks to the outstanding service that the 30th CES Fire Department provides, not only aiding the base, but the local community, showcasing why they are seven time Best Air Force Fire Department award winners.

2019 Fort McCoy Vigilant Triad exercise included simulated HAZMAT response, CP Railroad support

Firefighters with the Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Department participate in a scenario at the post railyard March 20, 2019, for the Vigilant Triad 2019 exercise at Fort McCoy, Wis. Vigilant Triad is a full-scale exercise that helps the installation test its response to a variety of incidents and accidents. Such exercises are part of a continuing effort by the Department of Defense to refine and improve emergency response to natural and man-made disasters. Fort McCoy’s Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security served as the lead agency for the exercise. The 2019 exercise scenario included a simulated trail derailment where, because of the derailment, some overturned railcars replicated leaking hazardous materials. (U.S. Army Photo by Karen Sampson, Fort McCoy Multimedia-Visual Information Office)

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES
04.09.2019
Story by Scott Sturkol                     
Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office           

The 2019 Vigilant Triad exercise at Fort McCoy was held at Fort McCoy March 18-21 with the majority of the activity happening March 20.

Vigilant Triad is a full-scale exercise that helps the installation test its response to a variety of incidents and accidents, according to the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, or DPTMS.

Such exercises are part of a continuing effort by the Department of Defense to refine and improve emergency response to natural and man-made disasters. DPTMS served as the lead Fort McCoy agency for the exercise.

The 2019 exercise scenario included a simulated trail derailment where, because of the derailment, some overturned railcars replicated leaking hazardous materials.

The response included both police and fire department personnel with the Directorate of Emergency Services arriving at the scene immediately after the event occurred. Later, a team with the Canadian-Pacific Railroad took over the scene to recover the rail equipment, stop any hazardous material leaks, and return the scene to normal.

Fort McCoy activated its Installation Emergency Operations Center (IEOC) early March 20, conducted a simulated evacuation of South Post Housing, and conducted an accountability call for all Fort McCoy personnel.

The event triggered mass notifications to the Fort McCoy community, as well as response and recovery activities by both garrison and tenant organizations throughout post. The Army Community Service Emergency Family Assistance Center also was activated during the training event.

In January, DPTMS coordinated a training seminar that included presentations from the Canadian-Pacific Railroad Police and hazardous materials officer. A representative from the Western Wisconsin Health Emergency Response Coalition also gave a presentation.

“The intent of the seminar was to improve the installation’s ability to support the post community before, during, and after a natural, manmade accidental, or intentional event,” said Tim Werstein with DPTMS.

DPTMS Director Brad Stewart said the 2019 Vigilant Triad training was successful.

“The exercise fulfilled the Installation Management Command annual requirement to conduct a full-scale exercise to refine and improve installation’s response to a local or regional all-hazards crisis,” Stewart said.

“We have miles of railway going through the installation, so this served as a great training opportunity to work with Canadian-Pacific and related agencies to practice a response to an incident like this. Our team did great, and we can build on what we learned during the exercise.”

The next Vigilant Triad exercise is tentatively scheduled for early 2020.

Fort McCoy has supported America’s armed forces since 1909. The post’s varied terrain, state-of-the-art ranges, new as well as renovated facilities, and extensive support infrastructure combine to provide military personnel with an environment in which to develop and sustain the skills necessary for mission success.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at www.mccoy.army.mil, on Facebook by searching “ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching “usagmccoy.”

(The Fort McCoy Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security contributed to this article.)

Firefighters with the Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Department participate in a scenario at the post railyard March 20, 2019, for the Vigilant Triad 2019 exercise at Fort McCoy, Wis. Vigilant Triad is a full-scale exercise that helps the installation test its response to a variety of incidents and accidents. Such exercises are part of a continuing effort by the Department of Defense to refine and improve emergency response to natural and man-made disasters. Fort McCoy’s Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security served as the lead agency for the exercise. The 2019 exercise scenario included a simulated trail derailment where, because of the derailment, some overturned railcars replicated leaking hazardous materials. (U.S. Army Photo by Karen Sampson, Fort McCoy Multimedia-Visual Information Office)