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KAW, 683rd fire departments team up, teach AAF course

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jamie Humphries
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan --  Kandahar Air Wing's fire department held its first three-level training class taught by the 683rd Army fire detachment recently.

The course is slated to last approximately three months with seven Afghan air force firefighters enrolled.

According to fire officials, the goal of the course is for all AAF firefighters to receive their three-level certification as firefighters within the Ministry of Defense. Due to the influx of untrained personnel, the partnership with the 683rd comes a time when training is needed to have qualified firemen able to respond to immediate emergencies.

The first class included instruction on the proper application and wear of the personal protective equipment as well as an introduction to the self-contained breathing apparatus. Special emphasis was also placed on ensuring AAF firemen looked after one another reducing the chance of serious injury.

"This training and certification will help the KAW by providing highly-trained first responders to its community," said Tech. Sgt. Blaine Holland of the 443rd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron. "It (training) directly helps the KAW fire department by speeding the upgrade training of its personnel while also being able to accomplish its mission."

Another important aspect of the training is the support provided by U.S. Army members also assigned to the wing said Holland. The 683rd developed lesson plan outlines in reference to National Fire Protection Association standards for firefighter certification and also provided five qualified instructors to assist with training.

"All training is practical based with instruction," explained Holland. "The Afghan firefighters learn best from demonstration and hands-on-training and once trained, they are evaluated against the standard to ensure consistency."

KAW Fire Department now has 13 firefighters that are qualified to protect and respond to all Afghan aircraft emergencies on the AAF ramp, 77 Air Wing facilities and 600 base members said Holland.

"Thank you," said Abdullah Jan, AAF airmen. "This training is very good."