USMC New off-road fire engine ideal for High Desert terrain

The shorter, smaller and narrower quick response fire engine in front of the larger Type-1 fire engine, is capable of accessing all areas of Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, without having to use bypass routes to get around the narrow tunnel that leads to the Marine Memorial Golf Course.

MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, CA, UNITED STATES
08.22.2019
Story by Keith Hayes
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow 

A truck retrofitted as a Type 6 firefighting apparatus, with standard fire pumping capabilities as well as ultra-high pressure pumping capabilities, helps firefighters reach the scene of emergencies in rugged terrain more quickly aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, as well as in the surrounding community.

Paul Purdy, fire chief, Marine Corps Fire and Emergency Services aboard MCLB Barstow, said the new smaller Type-6 fire engine was originally a 2005 Ford F550 utility truck owned by the department.

“We had it refitted into a fire engine that is capable of getting through the tunnel between MCLB Barstow and the Marine Memorial Golf Course,” Purdy explained.

The access tunnel between the base and the golf course has always been too small to allow the larger Type-1 fire engines could get through.

“That means if there is an emergency or fire at the golf course we have to drive off the base to take the dirt access roads to bypass the tunnel in order to get to the scene,” said Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Tworek. He’s the man who spearheaded the drive to get the truck retrofitted.

The aggregated response time (ART) to an emergency is within seven minutes from receiving the call. Having to bypass the tunnel added 15 to 20 minutes more time to the response, but the new retrofit now allows fire crews to meet or exceed the under 7-minute standard, Tworek explained.

“The Type-6 apparatus can also be used at the weapons range aboard base which proves difficult for the Type-1 fire engines,” he added. Type-1 firetrucks have ladder and water cannon capabilities suited to fighting large structure fires, but they are more cumbersome in off-road situations.

The new Type 6 does not have all the capabilities of the larger fire engines, Chief Purdy said, but it is capable of delivering 300 gallons of water at high pressure to handle almost any small brush or structure fire.

“We can deliver ten gallons a minute with the ultra-high pressure hose with just as much effectiveness as a larger hose that puts out 100 gallons a minute under normal pressure,” Purdy said.

The refitting of the truck into the Type-6 fire engine cost just a little under $200,000 and was done by Fire Trucks Unlimited, a firm in Henderson, Nevada, which specializes in building Fire Rescue Vehicles, Fire Rescue Utility Vehicles, and Ultra High-Pressure Firefighting Systems. That compares to building a new fast response fire engine from the ground for $450,000 to $500,000.

The water pumping system on top of the truck is a U.S. Navy Twin Pump Skid UHP/HV-Diesel Engine Driven, which is state of the art for fire departments.

Colonel Craig C. Clemans, commanding officer, MCLB Barstow, attended an official unveiling of the new Type-6 apparatus at the headquarters of the Security and Emergency Services Department, August 20.

“This new fire engine is all about increasing the capability of the fire department by reducing our response time to emergencies and fires,” Clemans said.

“Taking existing equipment that is in good shape and repurposing it as we did with this truck at much less expense is a very good thing,” said Danny Strand, director, SES. “I am proud that our department now has off-roading capabilities to provide even better response time.”

“This is quick-attack apparatus that can get to the scene of off-road accidents, fires and medical emergencies where our much larger fire engines couldn’t,” Chief Purdy said.

“It will enable us to serve this whole side of the base where the golf course is located more efficiently and with much lower response time, meeting or exceeding the standard. In an emergency, time means lives,” he concluded.


The new, smaller, quick response fire engine fits neatly through the access tunnel leading from Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, to the Marine Memorial Golf Course, August 9. Without the smaller Type-6 fire engine, emergency crews would have to travel miles and minutes out of their way to bypass the tunnel.

Onlookers get a close up look at the new quick-response fire engine unveiled in front of Security and Emergency Services headquarters building August 20. The new fire engine is constructed on the bed of a Ford F550 already owned by the fire department with the fire apparatus on the back added by Fire Trucks Unlimited in Henderson, Nevada.

(Left) Colonel Craig C. Clemans, commanding officer, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, with Assistant Fire Chief Craig Posey directing, aims a spray of water from the ultra-high pressure hose attached to the new, quick response fire engine at the headquarters of Security and Emergency Services, August 20. Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Tworek, Marine Corps Fire Department, said the ultra-high pressure hose at 10 gallons a minute is as effective on a brush or structure fire as the larger hose spraying 100 gallons a minute.

The quick-response fire engine designed to access the more rugged areas of Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California, tackles some off-road challenges adjacent to the Marine Memorial Golf Course, August 9. The retrofitted Ford F550 truck, had much larger tires installed, and fire apparatus capable of getting through the access tunnel between MCLBB and the golf course.

Response Time Critical

KUWAIT
08.16.2019
Photo by Sgt. David Bickel
Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response - Central Command 

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364 participate in a joint service emergency response exercise with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting service members in Kuwait, Aug. 16, 2019. The Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis-Response Central-Command is a multiple force provider designed to employ ground, logistics and air capabilities throughout the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel)


U.S. service members with an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting team evacuate a Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364 MV-22 Osprey after an emergency response drill in Kuwait, Aug. 16, 2019. The Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis-Response Central-Command is a multiple force provider designed to employ ground, logistics and air capabilities throughout the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel)


An MV-22 Osprey pilot with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364 prepares to be medically evacuated after an emergency response drill in Kuwait, Aug. 16, 2019. The Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command is a multiple force provider designed to employ ground, logistics and air capabilities throughout the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel)


U.S. service members with an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting team treat crash casualties after an emergency response drill in Kuwait, Aug. 16, 2019. The Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command is a multiple force provider designed to employ ground, logistics and air capabilities throughout the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel)


U.S. service members with an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting team treat crash casualties after an emergency response drill in Kuwait, Aug. 16, 2019. The Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis-Response Central-Command is a multiple force provider designed to employ ground, logistics and air capabilities throughout the Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Bickel)

Wild Weasel firefighter puts out flames on first assignment.

A U.S. Air Force fire protection helmet sits on the ground in front of a fire truck at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 7, 2019. Airman 1st Class Adam Cardona, a Dallas, Texas, native, attended firefighter training for three months prior to receiving orders to his first base, Misawa AB, which resulted in him feeling anxious. However, he found solace through the welcoming embrace of local American and Japanese community members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Collette Brooks)

MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JAPAN
08.19.2019
Story by Senior Airman Collette Brooks
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 

Post boot camp, Airmen begin technical school to become trained and well-versed in their respective career fields. After weeks of hands-on training and classroom direction, students prepare for graduation while looking forward to a crucial document which separates them from their next endeavor: permanent change of station orders.

While tech school focuses primarily on teaching students proper and efficient job performance, it’s the Airmen’s responsibility to master getting settled again.

Anticipation of future assignments can create a gut-twisting feeling, leaving Airmen anxious, restless and even uneasy, but Airman 1st Class Adam Cardona, a 35th Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection journeyman, combatted first assignment jitters with fun, exploration and self-discovery.

“When I received orders to Misawa Air Base, Japan, I initially felt discouraged because living far away from my family and starting a whole new life without them wasn’t ideal,” expressed Cardona. “When my fear subsided, my time here became something better than I could have ever expected.”

Cardona’s co-worker agreed changing bases can be difficult.

“It’s normal for an Airman to feel nervous when PCSing to their first base,” explained Staff Sgt. Brendon Sample, a 35th CES lead firefighter. “The adjustment period varies for everyone, but getting out of your comfort zone and exploring makes the transition much easier.”

Due to the inviting nature of local members, Cardona said he felt ready to break out of his shell and explore the area.

“Misawa City residents make you instantly feel a part of the community,” he added with a smile on his face. “They are kind, generous and always respectful. I feel a sense of freedom, security and belonging.”

Despite embracing his new home, Cardona still faced challenges associated with being stationed overseas.

“Being in the rural area can make it tough to find ‘city-like’ activities to do,” he explained. “But appreciating the great outdoors and all the things you can do, like hiking, swimming and snowboarding, makes Misawa City a great place to live.”

Although Misawa City lacks fancy bright lights, skyscrapers or the roar of the city filling the night sky, Cardona discovered a more personal and profound achievement.

“My mental strength grew a great deal since being stationed here,” he explained. “Residing in this region is no easy task because we have to maintain that ‘fight tonight’ mentality. The training exercises and workload is heavier than I expected, but I appreciate how my shop makes readiness a top priority.”

Cardona added he’s more equipped to respond during difficult situations because his leadership provided him the necessary guidance and structure.

“I advise my Airmen to create and maintain a strong mental, physical and spiritual foundation,” expressed Sample. “Since our career field is demanding and fast-paced, it’s important to learn and grow from every bad and good experience thrown your way.”

In addition to Airmen seeing all days, regardless of the circumstance, as a learning experience, Cardona believed it’s most important to set goals and have something to always look forward to.

“I look forward to attending the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” he expressed. “If it wasn’t for the close proximity from Misawa AB to the event, I know I wouldn’t have a chance at attending, so I am forever grateful for my orders here. I haven’t experienced this much adventure, fun and personal growth before.”

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Adam Cardona, a 35th Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection journeyman, pauses for a photo at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 7, 2019. The Dallas, Texas, native attended firefighter training for three months prior to receiving orders to his first base, Misawa AB, which resulted in him feeling anxious, but he found solace through the welcoming embrace of local American and Japanese community members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Collette Brooks)

Shaw fire, emergency services awarded reaccreditation

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, UNITED STATES
08.20.2019
Story by Senior Airman Kathryn Reaves
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 

The 20th Civil Engineer Squadron fire and emergency services flight earned reaccreditation following a Commission on Fire Accreditation International hearing, Aug. 7-9.

Michael Davis, 20th CES fire inspector and accreditation manager, and Hagenbuch led the initiative with the department’s primary goal of reducing property and life loss as well as promoting employee safety.

The accreditation is the second the flight has earned and is the culmination of a five year self-assessment of 86 core competencies and 252 performance indicators in addition to a peer assessment.

According to a release from the department, “The peer assessors conducted an out brief and highlighted the training program led by Tech. Sgt. Larry Diaz, fire prevention program led by Master Sgt. David Hagenbuch and logistic program led by Mr. Gregory Farley. (They) expressed that the training program is the best they have ever seen and are looking at taking lessons learned back to their own departments.”

The Center for Public Safety Excellence website lists additional benefits of working for, achieving and maintaining accreditation including establishing a culture of continuous improvement, communicating leadership philosophies and providing tangible data.

“The agency’s achievement of Accredited Agency status demonstrates the commitment of the agency to provide the highest quality of service to our community,” said Davis. “This internal process allows us to remain honest with ourselves on what we need to do in order to be the best department possible.”

The department also used the process to locate areas for improvement and create a plan for the future as the team begins another five-year reaccreditation process.

Air National Guard and State Partnership Program firefighters fight fires together at Northern Strike 19

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Lealan Buehrer | Firefighters from the Michigan Air National Guard and Estonian, Latvian and Bulgarian air forces battle a controlled burn aircraft fire at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Mich., July 22, 2019. JP-8, a fuel used in U.S. military aircraft, burns at between 800 and 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Northern Strike 19 is a National Guard Bureau-sponsored exercise uniting service members from more than 20 states, multiple service branches and numerous coalition countries during the last two weeks of July 2019 at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, both located in northern Michigan and operated by the Michigan National Guard. The accredited Joint National Training Capability exercise demonstrates the Michigan National Guard’s ability to provide accessible, readiness-building opportunities for military units from all service branches to achieve and sustain proficiency in conducting mission command, air, sea and ground maneuver integration, together with the synchronization of fires in a joint, multinational, decisive action environment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Lealan Buehrer)

ALPENA, MI, UNITED STATES
07.30.2019
Story by 1st Lt. Andrew Layton
110th Wing 

ALPENA, Mich. – Sirens blaze in the night as a first responder vehicle speeds toward the hot orange glow. In this live-fire training exercise, firefighters step from the truck with helmets, Nomex bunker gear, and self-contained breathing apparatuses already in place. They take their positions and prepare for a heated battle against the flames.

With faces and features obscured under the weight of their gear, the firefighters are almost indistinguishable as humans. Like a mechanized assembly, they function together as a single, well-trained unit. One cannot identify that beneath the gear, their diversity transcends race, gender, and nationality.

“As firefighters, we all share the same career field and we all share the same passion for our work – that makes it easy for us to come together,” says Master Sgt. Terrence Jones of the 164th Airlift Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard. “We may not speak the same native language, but we all have something in common as fire fighters.”

Jones is speaking about the fire protection team assembled at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, for Northern Strike 19. Held July 22 - Aug. 2 with more than 6,000 participants, Northern Strike is the Department of Defense’s largest annual joint, reserve component readiness exercise. For the month of July, the Alpena CRTC fire department is being augmented with nine firefighters from Latvia, two from Bulgaria, and two from Estonia. Also participating in Northern Strike 19 at Alpena CRTC are firefighters from the 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, the 110th Wing, Michigan Air National Guard, and Jones’ unit from Tennessee. They come together to not only train, but to increase real-world first responder capability during the exercise’s uptick in operations.

Michigan and Latvia share a strong bond under the U.S. National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, which pairs the National Guard entities of a U.S. state with the national armed forces of a partner nation to forge mutual defense capability and cross-cultural relationships. Tennessee and Bulgaria have a similar cooperation under the SPP. Through events like Northern Strike 19, these partnerships continue to grow stronger throughout the Air National Guard’s firefighting community as shared experiences lead to mutual trust and interoperability.

After attending Northern Strike in 2018, Master Sgt. Kevin Ziehr, a firefighter with the 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, was inspired to initiate a cooperation with military firefighters from Hungary, the Ohio National Guard’s partner country.

“Currently, we have two master sergeants from our fire department at the 180th over in Hungary, doing the exact thing we’re doing here at Alpena,” Ziehr said. “That is, training on different types of coalition aircraft with different types of firefighting equipment – they’ve been having just as good a time learning and passing on knowledge over there.”

Ziehr points out that engaging with multinational counterparts is excellent preparation for work in a deployed setting where language and cultural barriers may present challenges to the mission. Coalition firefighters at Northern Strike 19 agree that establishing relationships in advance of potential crisis situation leads to a more ready and capable response force.

“We have done a lot of exercises together and all of the firefighters here are amazing people,” said Pvt. Lyubomir Martinov, a firefighter assigned to Vrazhdebna Air Base, Bulgaria. “It is always good because you meet different types of people. We’re helping each other, we’re understanding more. It’s interesting for us.”

Though Northern Strike 19 is the capstone of the coalition firefighters’ time in Michigan, their schedule has been packed with numerous high-value training opportunities since arriving early in the month. Beginning July 6th, the coalition firefighters participated in an incident command course staged under the National Defense Authorization Act 16 (NDAA 16), section 1251, which authorizes multilateral military-to-military training events between certain North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. By the time they return to their home countries, they will also have participated in aircraft familiarization events, high/low-angle rescue training, a mass-casualty response exercise, night and day live-fire burns, vehicle rescue, and confined spaces rescue training.

Somehow, the multinational group finds time for teambuilding events outside of work, including day trips to Detroit and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

“We are team-building all the time,” said Pfc. Ilza Jansone, a firefighter assigned at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia. “We appreciate all that our American hosts do for us to take us places and show us new things. It’s a new experience and I really appreciate the opportunity to be here.”

Jansone is the first female fire fighter in Latvia’s National Armed Forces.

Though this Jansone’s first trip to Michigan, some of the coalition firefighters have supported multiple Northern Strike exercises. This year marks the third time the multinational incident command course has been held prior to the exercise and Jones says he anticipates even stronger cooperation at Northern Strike between U.S. and international firefighters in coming years.

“I enjoy Northern Strike because of the chance to meet and work with our foreign brothers and sisters,” he said. “It’s just amazing to me because we all come from different places to this exercise and become one.”


Firefighters from the Michigan Air National Guard and Estonian, Latvian and Bulgarian air forces battle a controlled burn aircraft fire at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Mich., July 22, 2019. JP-8, a fuel used in U.S. military aircraft, burns at between 800 and 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit.