Iraqi firefighters graduate JBB training course

Airman 1st Class Colton Balthazor, 332nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, shows an Iraqi firefighter how to operate an oxygen tank during training at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, April 30, 2010. Seven volunteer firefighters from Bakir Village have trained with the JBB firefighters over several weeks. The training started with learning basic skills and has progressed to the last stage, fighting a fire. Airman Balthazor is deployed from Andersen Air Base, Guam and is a native of Redlands, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Linda C. Miller/Released)

Iraqi firefighters graduate JBB training course

Firefighter Staff Sgt. Stephen Sanabria (right) and Tech. Sgt. Stephen Perez, assistant chief of fire prevention, both members with the 332nd Civil Engineer Squadron, help an Iraqi firefighter don his personal protective equipment prior to fighting a fire at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, April 30, 2010. Seven volunteer firefighters from Bakir Village have trained with the JBB firefighters over several weeks. The training started with learning basic skills and has progressed to the last stage, fighting a fire. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Linda C. Miller/Released)

Iraqi firefighters graduate JBB training course

Firefighters with the 332nd Civil Engineer Squadron, stand by and aid Iraqi firefighters as they put out a fire at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, April 30, 2010. Seven volunteer firefighters from Bakir Village have trained with the JBB firefighters over several weeks. The training started with learning basic skills and has progressed to the last stage, fighting a fire. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Linda C. Miller/Released)

Iraqi firefighters graduate JBB training course

Published May 4, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Allison M. Boehm
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Local Iraqi firefighters recently completed a four-part training class with the JBB fire department.

Seven Iraqi firefighters put their skills to the test as they suited up to battle an actual structural fire in the training field at the JBB fire station prior to graduating after the last installment of the training April 30.

"This training was extremely successful," said Army Specialist Clay Williams, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter. "During this course we were both able to learn from each other, despite the language barrier, and help Iraqi firefighters get back on their feet. These guys have come back time after time to work on their skills as firefighters for their country, and with us being able to help, I think they will make a positive impact."

Months of coordination took place in order to get the Iraqi firefighters to the training on base, but once under way, the Iraqis were eager to learn. According to the Iraqi firefighters, they plan on taking what they learned here and implementing it within their station.

"We have benefited very much from this training," said a local firefighter in attendance. "It was great training. We familiarized ourselves with new equipment and were able to use it. We experienced all types of fires and learned from them. We saw the American firefighters in action and were able to follow those procedures in putting out fires."

The Iraqi firefighters received training starting from firefighting basics and principles to extinguishing a real blaze. Once everything was said and done, the Iraqi firefighters were able to take away a good idea of how to effectively run a fire station.

"I was impressed," said an Iraqi attendee. "The Americans have everything equipped and are ready at all times to combat any fire. They have speed and precision and follow the right procedures when combating fire. We are going to take this experience and put it to use."