Tyndall leads the way in Air Force eco-conscious fire protection

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, UNITED STATES

04.30.2024

Story by Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem 

325th Fighter Wing  

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – In 2024, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, became the first Air Force installation to transition to the fluorine-free foam within its fire departments, effectively replacing the aqueous film-forming foam that contained Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. The new foam is a primary component of a Department of Defense-wide effort to phase out PFAS-containing AFFF from land-based firefighting equipment.

The Air Force Civil Engineer Center began procuring F3 from the qualified products list in 2023. Qualified F3 products meet stringent firefighting performance standards set forth in a military specification that ensure the product is suitable for military use. The MILSPEC establishes performance requirements for how quickly and how effectively products need to extinguish a fire, which ensures the safety of servicemembers and firefighters in an emergency. AFCEC plans to replace AFFF, among the Air and Space Forces, in all non-tactical fire vehicles by October 2024.

“The new foams do not contain fluorine, and therefore do not contain PFAS. We understand PFAS, when released into the environment, is very persistent and does not break down easily,” said Robin Shaw, AFCEC Fire and Emergency division chief. “While its predecessor relied on fluorinated chemicals to create a barrier over the fuel, F3 operates by smothering the fire with a physical foam barrier, effectively preventing the ignition of fuel by depriving it of oxygen.”

The differences in how the new foam operates in fighting fire generates change in firefighting techniques. With AFFF, firefighters employed a “rainfall” technique to deploy foam and water through a hose at an arching angle. Now, with F3, firefighters shoot the foam directly at the base of the fire. With new techniques comes a need for new training, and Tyndall is home to the 801st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron at its Silver Flag exercise site. This is the only dedicated training facility within the DoD that can use Jet A1 fuel to create a live-fire simulation of aircraft fires.

“We have a research center that we work with meticulously to provide training opportunities for service members who come to Silver Flag to witness the difference in effectiveness, as we transition to F3,” said Staff Sgt. Adam Van Lange, 801st REDHORSE fire protection cadre.

The switch from AFFF to F3 is a significant step for the Air Force, that prioritizes the safety of service members and the environment.

Fuel Tank Extraction Exercise

 

ITALY
04.25.2024
Photo by Senior Airman Raya Feltner 
31st Fighter Wing  

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman John Gisclair, 31st Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuel systems journeyman, receives a physical injury evaluation at Aviano Air Base, Italy, April 25, 2024. Members from the fire department, wing safety and fuels shop simulated a fuel tank extraction exercise to practice emergency response capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Raya Feltner)

U.S. Air Force airmen from the fire department, wing safety, and fuels shop participated in an annual fuel tank extraction training at Aviano Air Base, Italy, April 25, 2024. In the event of an accident or emergency situation where personnel become trapped inside fuel tanks or confined spaces, airmen need to be prepared to conduct rescue operations swiftly and effectively. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Raya Feltner)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman John Gisclair, 31st Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuel systems journeyman, participates in a fuel tank extraction exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, April 25, 2024. In the event of an accident or emergency situation where personnel become trapped inside fuel tanks or confined spaces, airmen need to be prepared to conduct rescue operations swiftly and effectively. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Raya Feltner)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman John Gisclair, 31st Maintenance Squadron aircraft fuel systems journeyman, receives a physical injury evaluation at Aviano Air Base, Italy, April 25, 2024. Members from the fire department, wing safety, and fuels shop participated in an annual training to showcase emergency response capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Raya Feltner)

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Experience PTA Day, 2024

 

HI, UNITED STATES
04.25.2024
Photo by Sgt. Grace Gerlach 
3rd Marine Division      

Guests observe a display from the Pohakuloa Training Area fire department during Experience PTA Day at Army Garrison Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, April 25, 2024. Experience PTA Day is a community engagement event focused on showcasing PTA and its importance as a training center for U.S. armed forces in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Grace Gerlach)

Makua Lani Christian Academy students try on gear from the Pohakuloa Training Area fire department during Experience PTA Day at Army Garrison Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, April 25, 2024. Experience PTA Day is a community engagement event focused on showcasing PTA and its importance as a training center for U.S. armed forces in the Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Grace Gerlach)

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104th Fighter Wing firefighters are tested during a live fire training.

 

WESTFIELD, MA, UNITED STATES
04.25.2024
Photo by Jerry Hewitt 
104th Fighter Wing  

104th Civil Engineering Squadron firefighters conduct live structural fire training during a simulated exercise, April 25, 2024, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. The exercise helped 104FW firefighters enhance their communication skills and teamwork under stress.

(U.S Air National Guard Photos by Jay Hewitt)

(U.S Air National Guard Photos by Jay Hewitt)

(U.S Air National Guard Photos by Jay Hewitt)

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Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy Tours Fire Station One

 

CA, UNITED STATES
04.22.2024
Photo by Sgt. Erin Vandehoef 
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton  

David Parsons, right, the fire chief of the Oceanside Fire Department delivers opening remarks during a tour of Fire Station One in Oceanside, California, April 22, 2024. 

In fiscal year 2021, the city of Oceanside was awarded a $3.5 million Defense Community Infrastructure Grant construction grant from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to match the $15 million in local funding to construct a modern new fire station that supports both the city and MCB Camp Pendleton. 

Brenda M. Johnson-Turner, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and local community, political and military leaders pose for a group photo during a tour of Fire Station One in Oceanside, California, April 22, 2024. 

The new fire station replaces a station built in the 1920s which could not house modern fire and emergency response equipment. The new fire station improves readiness by enabling the city and MCB Camp Pendleton to respond to the increasing frequency of wildfires and provide faster ladder truck service to multi-story barracks at the installation. 

Brenda M. Johnson-Turner, right, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and U.S Marine Corps Col. Daniel Whitley, center, the deputy commander of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, speak with David Parsons, left, the fire chief of the Oceanside Fire Department, during a tour of Fire Station One in Oceanside, California, April 22, 2024.

The updated fire station will increase the Oceanside Fire Department’s capabilities and the ability to aid in emergency responses in the local area as well as on the southern portion of MCB Camp Pendleton. The updated fire station will increase the Oceanside Fire Department’s capabilities and the ability to aid in emergency responses in the local area as well as on the southern portion of MCB Camp Pendleton.

Fire Station One has been under construction since July 2022 and expected to open this summer. MCB Camp Pendleton continues to work hand-in-hand with local first responder agencies to maintain a positive relationship with surrounding communities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Erin A. VandeHoef)

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