Photo By Staff Sgt. Zachary Mott | U.S. Army Sgt. Anthony Carrillo finishes a concrete slab while helping with...... read more read more
EVANS, Colo. – Firefighters need fire to train. The problem with fire, though, is that it typically destroys everything in its path and thus minimizes the training opportunities for firefighters.
In a coordinated effort between the Evans, Colo., Fire Protection District and the U.S. Army Reserve’s 409th Engineer Company (Vertical), the training facilities for these fire fighters in Northern Colorado have been gradually upgraded and improved during the past two years.
“We’ve installed gas lines for a Christmas tree, fuel tanks and vehicles,” said Staff Sgt. Tim Handel, a platoon sergeant with the 409th En. Co. (Vertical), 244th Engineer Battalion, 420th Engineer Brigade. “We’re also going to be working on a burn building and a smoke house.”
These projects have been completed as military duties, as well as community budgets, allow. Handel, a Johnstown, Colo., native, said the there are plans and desired improvements to the training facility that will keep the engineers busy well into the foreseeable future.
Helping out the local fire protection districts is only half of the benefit projects like installing gas lines, replacing a roof and pouring concrete pads provide to soldiers. Many of those working on this mild, early-April weekend are trained in engineering disciplines other than plumbing and concrete work. These projects allow the engineers to stockpile skills on the various other facets that go along with being an Army engineer.
“These skills are important because when these Soldiers go overseas, there is no one job,” said Sgt. Anthony Carrillo, a carpentry and masonry specialist with the 409th En. Co. (Vertical), and a native of Centennial, Colo. “You’re going to be doing all of it so you have to understand what every (part of being an Army engineer) entails.”
Allowing each soldier to practice various skills in a safe environment allows training to continue uninterrupted as well as enhance the capabilities of the unit as a whole.
“These are skills we can build on and then add the tactical training as well,” said 1st Lt. Jason Stringer, a Fort Collins, Colo., native, and commander of the 409th En. Co. (Vertical).
| Date Taken: | 04.06.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2013 13:37 |
| Story ID: | 104756 |
| Location: | EVANS, CO, US |
| Hometown: | FORT COLLINS, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 227 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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