Thomas Zuffelato, 104th Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Lieutenant “I try to work with them and pass on as much experience as I can and let them know why they’re here,” said Zuffelato. “To get ready to go out the door and deploy whether it’s in the state of Massachusetts or overseas or in the Middle East or Africa or wherever we’re needed.”

Firefighter of 27 years focuses on safety, mentors Airmen

Photo By Airman 1st Class Randall Burlingame | Fire Lt. Thomas Zuffelato, 104th Civil Engineering Squadron firefighter, poses for a photo May 2, 2019, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. Zuffelato is also a firefighter in the Connecticut Air National Guard at the 103rd Airlift Wing. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Randy Burlingame)

WESTFIELD, MA, UNITED STATES
05.02.2019
Story by Airman Sara Kolinski
104th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs

Thomas Zuffelato, 104th Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Lieutenant, began his firefighting career in 1992 when he switched from the active duty Air Force to the Nebraska Air National Guard.

Zuffelato started working here in September 2006 after moving back to Massachusetts from Nebraska, and is also a Master Sgt. in the Connecticut Air National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing Fire Department.

Zuffelato said during his career he thankfully never had anything crazy happen or anyone get severely hurt, but making sure the people he works with remain safe is an important part of the job.

“State side, working here, the hardest part for me is making sure everyone goes home safe in the morning or the next day after we get off duty,” said Zuffelato.

Having been a firefighter for 27 years, Zuffelato’s career is now focused on mentoring new firefighters and being ready to step in if he is needed.

“I try to work with them and pass on as much experience as I can and let them know why they’re here,” said Zuffelato. “To get ready to go out the door and deploy whether it’s in the state of Massachusetts or overseas or in the Middle East or Africa or wherever we’re needed.”

Zuffelato said that it is important for new Airmen at the fire department to know the basics of firefighting well, and he tries to pass on his experience to Airmen that are at the department for six months as part of their Mission Essential Skills Training.

“You have to be ready,” said Zuffelato. “You have to train and be mentally and physically prepared.”

Video: DOVER, DE, 436th CES Live Fire Training

DOVER, DE, UNITED STATES
04.26.2019
Photo by Senior Airman Christopher Quail
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

436th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters extinguish flames in a controlled exercise at the structural burn training facility April 26, 2019, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The U.S. Air Force requires firefighters to participate in the training at least once a year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Quail)

Staff Sgt. Justin Tarr, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron crew chief, prepares for an indoor simulated-fire scenario April 26, 2019, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th CES firefighters conduct frequent training scenarios that include battling interior and exterior fires. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Quail)

Dover firefighters conduct training by putting out fires produced from a propane source. (U.S. Air Force video by A1C Jonathan Harding)

Senior Airman Daniel Kolk, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron driver operator, extinguishes flames in a controlled exercise at the structural burn training facility April 26, 2019, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The firefighters train in a controlled environment while being monitored by other Dover firefighting professionals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Quail)

Airman Jarrett Zeigler, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron driver operator, prepares for an indoor simulated fire scenario April 26, 2019, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th CES firefighters conduct frequent training for scenarios that include battling interior and exterior fires. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Quail)

Close but Far - A Rescue Story “At some point during my workout I collapsed and went into sudden cardiac arrest. At the time, there was nobody in there... by the time the fire department showed up, I stopped breathing and my heart stopped,”

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Barta, (left) a pilot assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, and Brig. Gen. Gregory Knight, adjutant general for Vermont National Guard (right) present a recognition award to members of the St. Michael's Rescue team at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vt. Mar. 14, 2019. A ceremony was held to recognize the first responders who responded to a medical incident involving a member of the Vermont Air National Guard, ultimately saving his life. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Garth Dunkel)

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT, UNITED STATES
03.14.2019
Courtesy Story
158th Fighter Wing 

Typically, tragedy happens to someone else far away. We watch or read the unnerving stories that detail the most austere cases, often feeling pain and empathy for the victims. This is the usual perspective until something does happen close to home.

Recently, an active duty Airman assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing in South Burlington, Vermont experienced a very close call.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Barta, the 315th Fighter Squadron Commander and F-16 Fighter Pilot was exercising at the base gym. Somewhere during the course of his regimen, he lost consciousness.

“At some point during my workout I collapsed and went into sudden cardiac arrest. At the time, there was nobody in there... by the time the fire department showed up, I stopped breathing and my heart stopped,” mentioned Barta.

Fortunately, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Gay, of the 158th Maintenance Group, discovered the unconscious and unresponsive Barta on the floor. Gay administered CPR and directed another Airman to call 9-1-1. Within two minutes, the 158th Fighter Wing’s Fire Department personnel arrived and rendered care.

Moments later, local mutual aid responders from St. Michaels College Rescue and South Burlington’s Fire Department arrived on base to assist in efforts that ultimately saved Barta’s life.

“We have a pretty extensive mutual aid operating agreement with the surrounding communities, as well as the county and we do as much training as we can fit in feasibly because we still have a job to do,” said Captain Timothy Francis, assigned to the Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department and a traditional member of the unit.

“By training with them (local departments), we’re able to integrate and make sure that all of our people are doing stuff the same way which helps (emergency) calls go smoother… the mutual aid agreement with surrounding departments has been around since the mid-eighties,” noted Assistant Chief Brannon Soter, also assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing and Fire Department.

A U.S. Air Force fire fighter graduates initial training with several certificates; a requirement for prospective members of the 158th Fighter Wing Fire Department. This foundation is preparation for unit-specific training for new members once on-station.

“Once back (from training) we do 180-days of seasoning for our military members and (then) we do a six-month state status. During the first year of employment, you must get or possess an EMT certification… In order to be an Air Force Fire Fighter, you have to be certified at the national fire fighter 2 level,” stated Francis.

Department leadership require all members of their team to excel in every circumstances regardless of situational stressors.

“(We respond to) around five to six hundred calls a year… (Barta) is the first person I’ve ever seen come back. So for me, Captain Francis and the engine crew did everything right,” said Soter.

The Vermont Air National Guard Fire Department work around the clock in the event they’re needed to save or rescue lives on and off station. The responsibility to safeguard the human resource is heavy and immeasurable because it is 158th Fighter Wing’s most precious asset.

Michigan National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 460th Chemical Company and 51st Civil Support Team practice responding to chemical hazards as part of exercise Northern Exposure 2019

Michigan National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 51st Civil Support Team, wearing HAZMAT suits, investigate the scene of a simulated chemical attack at Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds April 30, 2019 as part of Northern Exposure 2019. NE 19 is a simulated nuclear detonation exercise which will provide realistic training to prepare MING units to integrate with civilian partners and respond to natural or man-made catastrophic events. (MI National Guard photo by Spc. Alan Prince /released.)

LANSING, MI, UNITED STATES
04.30.2019
Story by Capt. Joseph Legros
126th Public Affairs Operations Center 

HAZMAT responders combine efforts to detect and protect

RESPONDR

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – During day two of exercise Northern Exposure, the 51st Civil Support Team and the 460th Chemical Company of the Michigan Army National Guard combined efforts with local and county responders to identify simulated hazardous materials.

Northern Exposure is a simulated nuclear detonation exercise which provides rigorous and realistic training to prepare Michigan National Guard units to integrate with civilian partners and respond to catastrophic events. The training involves 10 different Army and Air Guard units, combining efforts with 16 state, county and local HAZMAT agencies. Forged within this strong partnership, Michigan HAZMAT leadership enhances its emergency preparedness and strengthens the protection of citizens.

While nothing was actually detonated, Army and Air National Guardsmen from the CST and Soldiers from the 460th conducted mounted and dismounted reconnaissance on April 30, 2019 in order to identify multiple simulated hazardous threats. The materials represent the fallout from an “exercise-only” nuclear blast at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center specifically designed to enhance the efforts of emergency personnel. The combined effort ensures the hazards are found, identified and mitigated.

“The mission of the CST is to support civil authorities during any instances of terrorism, specifically when weapons of mass destruction are used,” said Lt. Col. Kelly Wade Black, the Deputy Commander of the CST. “We are the eyes and ears for local, county and state authorities when it comes to determining any ongoing dangers of a HAZMAT incident.”

In today’s scenario, local HAZMAT firefighters were first on the scene and immediately suspected hazardous materials. They called the CST and 460th to investigate further.

Mounted Soldiers searched for materials from inside nuclear, biological and chemical reconnaissance vehicles, or NBCRVs, where they would be completely protected from potential hazards; while other dismounted Soldiers donned protective self-contained breathing apparatuses, or SCBAs, and meticulously searched the area on foot. This dual effort ensures complete coverage of the investigated area known as the “hot zone.”

Soldiers found several simulated hazardous materials, pre-positioned by exercise evaluators.

“When we find contaminants, we immediately report this to higher headquarters and mark off the territory,” said Staff Sgt. Michelle Waugh, a platoon sergeant with the 460th. “After that, we work fast to identify those hazards. Today we found chlorine, ammonia and carbon monoxide resulting from a mock secondary explosion.”

An equipment operator inside the vehicle uses high-tech extraction tools to secure samples outside the vehicle, placing them into protective containers. Then the material is brought inside without allowing any contamination to enter the NBCRV. In most cases, hazardous material can be tested from inside the vehicle. Multiple instruments assist Soldiers in identifying each hazard as quickly as possible.

After locating, marking and identifying the hazards, Soldiers provide guidance regarding what kind of personal protective equipment should be worn. With this information, personnel can safely enter the hot zone in order to mitigate the threat. Normal mitigation includes washing the area until the material dissipates or enclosing the material into specialized containers for removal.

“In some cases, we can identify threats in a matter of minutes,” shared Black. “This is essential because there could potentially be an ongoing threat to the surrounding community. In other cases, an organization like the FBI may need this information for an ongoing criminal investigation.”

Further opportunities for collaboration will take place throughout the week, with the next major test coming tomorrow at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds. Military and civilian authorities will team together, seeking earlier detection along with faster response times and mitigation of threats.

Media is encouraged to visit the hazard location, as personnel will be available for interview purposes. Special access may be granted by request.

For more information on this week-long event, please contact Capt. Joe Legros at 616-502-6079 or joseph.d.legros.mil@mail.mil. Media access badges can be picked up at the venue after checking in with a designated Michigan National Guard Public Affairs member.

Michigan National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 460th Chemical Company and 51st Civil Support Team practice responding to chemical hazards as part of exercise Northern Exposure 2019 at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds April 30, 2019. NE 19 is a simulated nuclear detonation exercise which will provide realistic training to prepare MING units to integrate with civilian partners and respond to natural or man-made catastrophic events. (MI National Guard photo by Spc. Alan Prince /released.)

1st Marine Aircraft Wing: Devil pups; MAG-12 hosts junior recruit day

MCAS IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN
04.18.2019
Photo by Cpl. Seth Rosenberg
1st Marine Aircraft Wing   

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron demonstrate the capabilities of a Panther 6x6 Fire Truck during junior recruit day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 18, 2019. The event hosted children of MAG-12 Marines and Sailors ages seven to 17 to provide a hands-on experience of day-to-day life as a Marine or Sailor. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Seth Rosenberg)

Junior recruits observe a demo by U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron of the capabilities of a Panther 6x6 Fire Truck during junior recruit day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 18, 2019. The event hosted children of MAG-12 Marines and Sailors ages seven to 17 to provide a hands-on experience of day-to-day life as a Marine or Sailor. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Seth Rosenberg)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tanner Hardy, an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron explains the emergency procedure to junior recruits during junior recruit day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, April 18, 2019. The event hosted children of MAG-12 Marines and Sailors ages seven to 17 to provide a hands-on experience of day-to-day life as a Marine or Sailor. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Seth Rosenberg)