733d CED, Newport News Firefighters conduct joint exercise

Firetrucks from both the Newport News and Fort Eustis fire departments extend their ladders during a joint training exercise at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia Oct. 26, 2020. Firefighters from the 733d Civil Engineer Division conducted a ladder truck exercise with their counterparts from Newport News with the objective of enhancing their ability to work with other fire departments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Magbanua)

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, VA, UNITED STATES

12.01.2020

Story by Staff Sgt. Joshua Joseph Magbanua 

Joint Base Langley-Eustis  

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. , Nov. 3, 2020 —Firefighters from the 733d Civil Engineer Division conducted a ladder truck exercise with their counterparts from the Newport News Fire Department at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Oct. 26, 2020.

The objective of the training was to enhance the firefighters’ skill in using their ladder trucks. Participants in the exercise also aimed to bolster teamwork between the Fort Eustis and Newport News fire departments.

“It’s good to know that everybody’s on the same page when we’re working together for any type of fire or incident,” said Tim Scott, 733d CED lead firefighter. “It goes a lot smoother [when we work together]. Everybody did great on both sides and it’s wonderful to work with them any time we can.”

The exercise took place at a vacant three-story building, with firefighters from both departments stationing their trucks at different locations around the building. Their task was to access the third floor using the built-in ladders on their trucks.

While extending the ladders, the firefighters also had to maneuver around tree branches, power lines and other obstacles.

“When we’re setting up next to buildings or other locations, we have obstacles which get in our way,” Scott said. “It’s easier to train like you work so when the real thing happens you’re all ready for it.”

Matt Bacon, NNFD master firefighter, explained the training was designed to prepare firefighters for the unpredictable nature of their profession.

“We don’t have the luxury of knowing where our 911 calls are going to be,” Bacon said. “To come to somewhere and not be able to pre-plan that action, it gives us a very realistic opportunity in a controlled environment that’s safe for everyone.”

Bacon expressed his optimism at the opportunity for his department to train with their counterparts at Fort Eustis, adding that joint exercises bolster camaraderie between members of the firefighting community.

“We actually had a long-standing operational history [with the Fort Eustis fire Department],” Bacon said. “It is only natural that we would work together. It’s all about the closest truck to solve an emergency. We don’t see lines or borders, we go to help no matter where it is.”

‘Heroes through Housing’ builds community morale.

Photo By Airman 1st Class Taylor Slater | Kaiserslautern Military Community first responders prepare for the Heroes through Housing event near the Northside Chapel at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 7, 2020. Members of the 86th, 569th and 435th Security Forces Squadrons, 86th Medical Group, 435th Civil Engineer Group, NATO Military Police and Army NATO International Military police were applauded for their work throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater) 

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, RP, GERMANY

05.08.2020

Story by Airman 1st Class Taylor Slater 

86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs  

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Sirens blare and children clap as Kaiserslautern Military Community first responders drove through Ramstein’s family housing area during the Heroes through Housing event May 7, 2020.

Members of the 86th, 569th and 435th Security Forces Squadrons, 86th Medical Group, 435th Civil Engineer Group, NATO Military Police and Army NATO International Military Police were applauded for their work throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Community members adhered to physical distancing standards while celebrating the first responders’ works.

“It was amazing to see people excited and the young children waving,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Torres, 86th SFS police services assistant. “(Children) were happy to be there, calling their brothers and sisters over to run down the street and get a view.”

While first responders usually make contact with the public in a time of crisis, events such as these help build support and ease COVID-19 tension, Montgomery said.

“The whole purpose was to show the public the first responder community is in this together with them,” Montgomery said. “We’re still (physically) distancing, but we’re also still here to keep the peace and protect the public during COVID-19.”

Organizers hoped to boost the morale of the community and give back for their support.

“We can’t have a huge fair handing out hot dogs and hamburgers, but it’s just something to show the community, ‘Hey, we’re still thinking about you,’” Montgomery said.

While events are important for community morale, Lt. Col. Jeremy Sheppard, 86 SFS commander, noted it’s also important to remember that things aren’t back to normal yet.

“Our big concern was obviously making so much of a draw in housing that we would inadvertently have a mass gathering,” Sheppard said. “We were happy to see that families took the precautions to keep themselves and their family members safe.”

The event has been in production for two weeks. Sheppard saw celebrations for first responders in the United States and considered whether something similar would be successful on Ramstein. Frequent communication between first responder agencies was key to getting the event organized quickly.

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 86th Civil Engineer Squadron waves at residents in the on-base housing area at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 7, 2020. First responders play a key role in keeping the Kaiserslautern Military Community safe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)

P-25 mobile firefighting vehicle on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln

 

PACIFIC OCEAN

05.09.2020

Courtesy Photo

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)  

200509-N-HW207-1108

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 9, 2020) Crash and salvage team members man a P-25 mobile firefighting vehicle on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during a replenishment-at-sea with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9). Abraham Lincoln is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Louis Lea/Released)

 (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Louis Lea/Released)

U.S. Navy Seabees with NMCB-5 support White Beach Naval Facility’s Fire Station

OKINAWA, AICHI, JAPAN

05.05.2020

Courtesy Photo

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5  

OKINAWA, Japan (May 5, 2020) Utilitiesman 3rd Class Richard Robledo, from Saint Marry, Georgia, and Builder 3rd Class Jaqueline Maleckar, from Cedar Lake, Indiana, both deployed with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, cut sheets for the walls of a new mezzanine structure at White Beach Naval Facility’s Fire Station, in support of Commander Fleet Activities Okinawa. NMCB-5 is deployed across the Indo-Pacific region conducting high-quality construction to support U.S. and partner nations to strengthen partnerships, deter aggression, and enable expeditionary logistics and naval power projection. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Joshua Moore/Released)

Dyess conducts high-expansion foam system test

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, TX, UNITED STATES

05.06.2020

Photo by Staff Sgt. David Owsianka 

7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs  

Members of the Dyess Fire Department and contractors conducted a test of a high-expansion foam fire suppression system within a hangar at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, May 6, 2020. There are switches inside each hangar to activate the system, and the foam will begin working within 30 seconds of being activated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Owsianka)

Water comes out of a hose during a high-expansion foam fire suppression system test within a hangar at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, May 6, 2020. The system is designed to extinguish fires within an aircraft hangar in less than 90 seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Owsianka)

Foam sits within a hangar during a high-expansion foam fire suppression system test at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, May 6, 2020. The foam is a quick-acting way to put out a fire and reduce the amount of damage done to aircraft within the hangar. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Owsianka)