Firefighting Training Provides Troops the Ability to Battle Base Camp Blazes

Courtesy Photo | After extinguishing the flames, the vehicle is loaded onto a flat rack using the palletized loading system hook, by San Antonio native Sgt. Carlos Rodriguez, and Lansing, Mi., Pfc. Derrick Horton, both from Company B, 526th Brigade Support Battalion, to be recovered back to their motor pool. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. Benjamin Donahue)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.27.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

By Staff Sgt. Jeri Pihlaja
526th Brigade Support Battalion

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – When Company B "Mad Bulls," 526th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) arrived in theater, the recovery section and gun truck platoon gained a new piece of equipment, a combat fire truck and a firefighting mission to go with it. Bravo Company has been tasked to provide quick response, area support combat fire fighting and recovery to all battle damaged vehicles within the 2nd BCT area of operation to minimize time on ground for coalition security forces and bolster force protection.

The Soldiers of Bravo Company had to adapt quickly to get trained and properly certified to conduct fire fighting operations. Although not previously trained on fire fighting, the Soldiers conducted fire training on their Load Handling System fire truck with the help of Company B, 299th Forward Support Battalion's recovery section, led by Sgt. 1st Class Dale Ford and Staff Sgt. Robert Hamilton, both of 299th FSB, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

Although a typical LHS is used to haul flat racks and supplies, the flat rack on the fire fighting LHS has been modified with a rail system for safe maneuver of Soldiers. A 1,600 gallon tank was built as the main tank and another 400 gallon tank is used for mixing the water and the foam liquid fire extinguisher solution. There are two pumps, one is used for filling the mixing tank from the 1,600 gallon main tank, and the other pump is used to send water pressure through the hose. Combat fire fighting is comprised of two, two person teams. Two Soldiers hold the hose on the ground, control the flow of the water and the amount of foam being dispensed on the fire. They are the primary firefighters. They utilize approved tactics, techniques and procedures that were developed through training, experience and after action reviews. No two fires ever react the same way.

The other two Soldiers stay on the LHS fire truck and control the pumps, the mixing of the solution and provide over watch security for personnel on the ground. It is also their responsibility to watch the fire from a distance and alert the on ground personnel of any unseen danger. Each Soldier is an Eagle First Responder, which is important for the safe return of the team.

A typical humvee can burn for up to 6 hours and a Stryker vehicle can burn up to 16 hours. While a vehicle burns, there is also the risk of ammunition left in the vehicle exploding.

"Although combat firefighting is new to the maintenance world, it is necessary to efficiently recover damaged vehicles in the quickest amount of time, reducing the number of Soldiers on ground pulling security." said Chief Warrant Officer Byrin Wheatley, the officer in charge of the Recovery Section, Co. B, 526th BSB.

Training was conducted by Hamilton, his fire team from 299th FSB and the East LSA Fire Department. Fire fighting training was comprised of several different tasks. Each Soldier needed to know how to react when extinguishing operations began and that fire creates its own weather condition and can change the situation in the blink of an eye. An operator must have situational awareness. This skill is extremely important to the safety of the team. Advanced recovery operations skills are essential due to the fact it is not outlined in any technical manual on how to recover a destroyed vehicle.

The Bravo Company Soldiers were eager to take on the challenge. "It was great cross training outside our MOS," said Pvt. Tyler Piper, Co. B. 526th BSB.

The Combat Fire Fighter/Recovery Specialist is a very difficult and demanding job. Soldiers must learn and perfect multiple tasks and procedures in a short amount of time and must be willing to adapt to any situation. In order to perform their duties, Soldiers must be willing to create a cohesive team that operates as one. Convoy experience is important, the more road time a Soldier has creates situational awareness and a better understanding of how to handle a vehicle outside the wire.

• Date Taken: 11.27.2007
• Date Posted: 11.27.2007 09:08
• Story ID: 14192
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ