Photo By Spc. Donald Williams | South Dakota Army National Guard 451st Engineer Detachment (Firefighting Team) fire...... read more read more
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STURGIS, S.D. – The South Dakota Army National Guard 451st Engineer Detachment (Firefighting Team) conducted training on how to react to vehicle fires during the Golden Coyote Training Exercise, on June 10, 2014, near Sturgis.
The training scenario had a real-life aspect as the guard members were joined by local civilian firefighters.
“Were all going to deal with similar situations,” said Kaleb A. Zook, a probationary firefighter with the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department. “As city-based firefighters, we get more of these types of calls.”
In order for the 451st to conduct this training during Golden Coyote, the unit coordinated with the city of Sturgis to arrange for safety crews and space for the site. A Sturgis Emergency Medical Technician, the Fort Meade Fire Department and the Sturgis VFD joined the 451st to partner in this unique training event.
“Golden Coyote is where we get most of our big training opportunities,” Said Spc. Ryan Krogstad a firefighter with the 451st. “In the two-week exercise, we have the opportunity to train on car fires, structure burns and go on other missions that help us refresh our skills.”
For the mock situation, the two fire trucks were stationed a little way down the road and then called by the fire chief to the scene of the fire. After arriving, the firefighters raced to ready hoses and combat the fire as fast as possible. This event gave Soldiers a chance to put their training into action.
“Every type of fire has its complications. You don’t know what’s in that vehicle: Could be gas, could be propane tanks, could be whatever,” said Staff Sgt. Max Stoltenburg the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 451st and station chief. “There are also complications where there is magnesium in the steering column and that can pose a problem.”
The firefighters work as a team to put out the fire. There are two groups of soldiers, one group mans both the primary and secondary hose and another group is there for safety and control.
According to Spc. Seth Mulvehill, a firefighter in the 451st, the firefighters are a tight-knit group because of there small size, which allows them to function better as a team.
After the initial fire was out, the firefighters continued to spray the burn site until all the hot spots were gone and all the flames were out. This process, known as overhaul, is used to ensure the fire won’t start back up.
The 451st and civilian teams successfully exhausted six car fires during the days training event. These Soldiers will continue to conduct training on various missions through out Golden Coyote to prepare them for both wartime and peacetime missions.
| Date Taken: | 06.10.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2014 13:14 |
| Story ID: | 133831 |
| Location: | STURGIS, SD, US |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Joint operation brings civilian and military firefighters together, by SPC Donald Williams, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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