Fire training takes unique twist

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  "Have fun, learn something and build teamwork." 

After hearing those words, the first of two four-man teams of firefighters standing ready began their calculated movements towards a kitchen fire raging in a single-story multiplex unit in base housing. 

While the fire was real, attacking the flames was a controlled scenario, part of a unique training opportunity for the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron. Houses along Foster Drive are slated for demolition as part of Eglin's housing privatization initiative. The firefighters were authorized to set fires in three units after meeting nation fire protection standards. 

Assistant Chief Tom Ryan for Eglin's Fire and Emergency Services said the exercises were scheduled to allow firefighters to see how fire reacts. The key was starting a good fire. Bales of straw were stacked in the kitchen and bedroom of one unit to act as a fire starter and wooden pallets added fuel for the flames. 

Ed Klima, Air Armament Center occupational safety and health specialist stood close by during all the preparations. He ensured all hazardous materials were removed before the training began and the firefighters followed safe practices prescribed for fighting a dwelling fire. 

"This is a first of this type of training for these guys and these firemen really learn a lot, how to work closer with one another," he said." 

Also standing by was Airman First Class Carl Doke, the youngest member of the team, just two months into his fireman career. He acted as a safety officer, standing by in case anything went wrong or "we see something happen that shouldn't.
 
"This is a real fire and a real house," Airman Doke said. "It's very realistic, watching the fire build, watching it grow and watching it react." 

The fire's reaction is critical to successfully extinguishing the blaze. Chief Ryan said fire crews work in benchmarks and each crew spends about 20 minutes fighting the fire before they are swapped out. Crew chiefs used thermal imaging cameras to see through the smoke to keep track of their crews. The "incident clock" starts ticking when the fire fighters enter the building. 

"First is the entry and starting the fire attack," Chief Ryan said. "By the time we get to the second benchmark, the fire should be under control or extinguished." 

Even though smoke was seeping from under the eaves of the attached dwellings, Chief Ryan was unconcerned that the fire was spreading. 

"That smoke is kind of lazy; it's just starting to drift," the chief continued. "I'm confident the fire's contained. But if I see it turn darker and come out with more force, than I know the fire's spreading. My goal is to get ahead of the fire." 

Helping meet that goal was Staff. Sgt. Nick Krissie, a reservist who was in for his annual tour. After spending his 20 minutes controlling the fire, he was taking a breather, drinking water and breathing in the fresh air. Sergeant Krissie, a full-time student working towards his degree in elementary education, said getting to fight a fire in a real dwelling is rare and a good opportunity to train. He feels there's a direct correlation between teaching and fighting fires. 

"They're both connected, they both help people," he said. "There are so many things you can do just for yourself, and that's not worth my time." 

Senior Airman Shuman Taylor, who's been at Eglin for two years, summed up why this training was important and the key role firefighters play protecting the installation. 

"I just like that I can give back every day whether I'm at the station or at a school teaching kids fire prevention," Airman Taylor said. "It's always fun to play with fire; it destroys and we stop it."