Photo By Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount | Spc. Robert A. Anderson, from Brighton, Mich., Spc. Sara E. Boehringer, from Grand...... read more read more
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GRAYLING, Mich. - “When I saw the fire, pluming 1,500 ft. above the tree line, I knew we had a situation on our hands and that we had to act quickly,” said Staff Sgt. Joel Schively from Kingsley, Michigan, reflecting on one of his most intense fire-fighting experiences of his career. Schively, a military fire fighter who works for the Grayling Fire Department on the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center (CGJMTC), works on a four-person shift that is responsible for controlling fires across the 147,000-acre span on Camp Grayling.
Every summer, during some of the driest months of the year, thousands of service members come to train on the CGJMTC at many of the ranges the base offers for live-fire exercises. At the beginning of each day, when the ranges, the GFD coordinates with range control at the 30 and 40 complex to effectively control range fires and prevent wildfire. The GFD also uses preemptive measures, months prior to training, uses mulching machines to chew up dry brush and mow it down so the range won’t set fire as quickly.
Equipped with a fire engine and brush truck, GFD monitors the ranges via radio contact with range control. The crew puts out an estimated five fires a day during summer training.
“Typically, when a unit contacts range control about a range fire, we notify GFD and they’re there within minutes,” said Maj. Matthew LeaTrea, range control officer in command of the 40 complex on CGJMTC. “They respond very quickly.”
A number of techniques are used when putting out range fires. The fire fighters try to hit the fire from the flank and draw the fire out of the range area. When fires become too difficult to contain with the small crew, local civilian fire departments and the Department of Natural Resources are called in to assist through a mutual aid agreement between GFD and the local departments.
The GFD incorporates a number of training opportunities for their employees throughout the year and works closely with the DNR. Interagency training plays a key role in staying current from both a military and civilian perspective on how to approach fighting a range fire. Consistently learning and staying current on fire fighting techniques has helped keep the team at Camp Grayling enthusiastic and excited about their role in mission readiness.
“Working here has been a thrill,” said Spc. Robert A. Anderson, Brighton, Michigan resident who also works for the Brighton Fire Department in his civilian life. “I never really wanted a desk job and I wanted to give back to the community.”
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2014 08:33 |
| Story ID: | 140116 |
| Location: | GRAYLING, MI, US |
| Web Views: | 260 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Grayling Fire Department plays vital role in summer training, by SSG Seth LaCount, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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