Team Eglin gets firefighter experience

  • Published
  • By Airman Anthony Jennings
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Commanders and first sergeants experienced what it's like to be a firefighter Oct. 5 to kick off Fire Prevention Week. 

The day began with the Inaugural Commanders vs. First Sergeants Challenge. The event was composed of five challenges, each presenting a small portion of what firefighters do on the job. 

Four shirts competed against four commanders in challenges like a victim drag, three-inch rolled fire hose carry, ladder climb, four-inch fire hose pull and Kaiser Sled, a training exercise where firefighters use a rubber sledge to knock a weight along a track. 

Lt. Col. Yvonne Spencer, the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, who issued the challenge to the shirts, said the event was a bit tougher than she anticipated. 

"Fatigue definitely sneaks up on you," said the colonel. "It drains the lower body and mentally you have to push through the pain and give it all you got." 

In the end, the first sergeants came out on top. Master Sgt. Eric Heiple, 53rd Electronic Warfare Group, had the best time and is already looking forward to next year's competition. 

"First sergeants won't miss an opportunity to show the commanders what we're made of," said the shirt. "As long as commanders compete, we'll step up to the plate." 

Another FPW activity was the Commander's Challenge. Commanders entered a smoke-filled house with a teammate on a search and rescue mission to quickly find and carry a victim to safety. 

"The purpose of this event is to give our commanders a feel for what we have to go through," said Christopher Hughes, 96th CES fire prevention education officer and Fire Prevention Week project leader. 

Some of the problems they had to overcome are the feeling of claustrophobia, blindness and stamina. They were in full firefighter gear so their movement was inhibited and tired them out quicker. Adding to that, the house was pitch black and filled with smoke so they had to feel their way around. 

Lt. Col. Don Grove, 413th Flight Test Squadron, said the event put into perspective the circumstances firefighters have to rise above in order to save lives.
 
"There weren't any flames or heat, compared to what firefighters must face in real life our environment was relatively benign," said the colonel. 

Despite the obstacles, Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th Air Base Wing commander, managed to score the fastest time. 

The final event of the day was the 2nd Annual Fire Muster Challenge. Airmen from various units across Eglin participated in events consisting of a three-inch hose roll relay, a two-man victim carry (through a large tube), obstacle course and ended with a bucket brigade where Airmen pass a bucket of water over their heads and empty it into a trash can. 

"Today was definitely a lot of fun," said Airman 1st Class Demetrius Sharpe, 96th Comptroller Squadron. "It involved teamwork and making noise, so I really got into it."
96th CEG took the win thanks to a win during the bucket brigade challenge, taking the trophy from the reigning champs, 96th CPTS. 

Colonel Spencer attributed their win to communication and strategizing. 

"That plus our warrior mentality," the commander said jokingly. "I think the whole day was a success because Airmen from all across the base get the opportunity to come out and have fun while gaining an appreciation for our firefighters."