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Deployed Airmen support firefighters; celebrate Fire Prevention Week

By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson , 380th AEW Public Affairs / Published October 10, 2008

SOUTHWEST ASIA--Senior Airman Brice Martin briefs Col. Paul Murphy, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander, while Chief Master Sgt. Martin Smith, 380th AEW command chief looks on prior to entering the smokehouse trainer here. The smokehouse trainer was opened to allow fellow Airmen from the base to don firefighter equipment and work in zero-visibility conditions. Airman Martin, deployed from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. is a driver/operator and crew chief with the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire Protection Flight. His hometown is Savannah, Mo.(released/photo by 1st Lt. Michael Frye)
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SOUTHWEST ASIA--Senior Airman Brice Martin briefs Col. Paul Murphy, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander, while Chief Master Sgt. Martin Smith, 380th AEW command chief looks on prior to entering the smokehouse trainer here. The smokehouse trainer was opened to allow fellow Airmen from the base to don firefighter equipment and work in zero-visibility conditions. Airman Martin, deployed from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. is a driver/operator and crew chief with the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire Protection Flight. His hometown is Savannah, Mo.(released/photo by 1st Lt. Michael Frye)

SOUTHWEST ASIA--Tech. Sgt. Jack Hartman starts the smoke machine in preparation for a smokehouse training exercise here. The smokehouse trainer was opened to allow fellow Airmen from the base to don firefighter equipment and work in zero-visibility conditions. Sergeant Hartman is the training and logistics officer for the 380th Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire Protection Flight. He is deployed from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. and resides in New Egypt, N.J.(released/photo by 1st Lt. Michael Frye)
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SOUTHWEST ASIA--Tech. Sgt. Jack Hartman starts the smoke machine in preparation for a smokehouse training exercise here. The smokehouse trainer was opened to allow fellow Airmen from the base to don firefighter equipment and work in zero-visibility conditions. Sergeant Hartman is the training and logistics officer for the 380th Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire Protection Flight. He is deployed from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. and resides in New Egypt, N.J.(released/photo by 1st Lt. Michael Frye)

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SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Ten deployed Airmen here showed their support of Fire Prevention Week as they learned what it's like to be a firefighter Oct. 8 and 9.

Fire and emergency services Airmen from the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron provided life-like firefighting training to deployed personnel.

Non-firefighters donned firefighter apparel, received a procedural brief and entered a smoke-filled building in search of casualties. The volunteers were divided into teams. Each team included an active-duty firefighter to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

The "volunteer" firefighters learned how to communicate while maintaining situational awareness and recovering injured personnel.

"It's a real challenge to try and find bodies, keep track of your team and where you are ... when all the while you can't see through the smoke and you're wearing 45 pounds worth of gear," said Col. Paul Murphy, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander. "We were lucky to have a couple of great teammates from the fire department to see us through; their expertise was invaluable."

The 380th ECES hosted the event to build camaraderie between the deployed members while improving their own capabilities.

"One of the best ways to learn is to teach," said Master Sgt. Sean Grady, 380th ECES assistant chief of fire prevention. "These events benefit everyone involved, it takes a bit of effort to coordinate them but I like to think they're worth it."

The Airmen and firefighters teamed up and searched for mannequins which were prepositioned as victims in the smoke-filled, four-room building.

Overall the trainees seemed to enjoy the training while gaining a better understanding of the challenges firefighters face.

"I've always respected the work of our emergency-services personnel, both civilian and military, but this definitely gives you a new perspective," Colonel Murphy said. "I really appreciate the fire department team for putting this event together."

The 380th ECES Fire Chief, Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Walsh, said this was a great way to get the wing involved in fire-prevention activities.

"Fire Prevention Week is here and man what a great opportunity to have our fellow Airmen suit up, race in and experience darkness, heat and exhaustion without the fear of getting hurt ... a luxury our firefighters don't have in emergency operations," Sergeant Walsh said. "Just like real-world responses, our trainees received a safety brief, were monitored by our designated safety officer and had an active-duty firefighter as a wingman during their search training."

Firefighters, participants and even the mannequins came away from the smokehouse training no worse for the wear. The trainees however, have chalked up a new experience to add to their resume while gaining a new perspective from the other side of a firefighter's mask.