Ellsworth firefighter, Delaware native, runs fire communications center for Southwest Asia base

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Senior Airman Joshua Gladden, a firefighter with the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire department, works in the Fire Alarm Communications Center at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, March 29. Gladden is deployed from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and his hometown is Delaware, Ohio.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

04.01.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- When an emergency call comes in to the Fire Alarm Communications Center at the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire department, Senior Airman Joshua Gladden is there to answer it. As an FACC operator and firefighter, directs the hand of fire protection throughout the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.

"I work on the day shift as the alarm room operator for the fire department here," said Gladden said. "It is my job to receive information from multiple sources and dispatch crews to emergencies on base. We have three stations that can possibly be dispatched out to structural emergencies, aircraft emergencies, medicals, or a hazardous material incident to name the more common ones.

"As operator, I receive and interpret any emergency call on base and dispatch out the right crews to the right place," said Gladden, who is deployed from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. "I also record all information throughout the emergency for records. Notifications need to be made to other agencies on base and I am also responsible for notifying them of the emergency."

Gladden is also trained as an emergency responder as a firefighter. He and his fellow firefighters are responsible for protecting thousands of deployed personnel and billions of dollars of Air Force assets from fire at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. He said what he does for the fire department in the FACC is critical to the success of providing that fire protection.

"Without a skilled and confident alarm room operator, the fire department could not get the necessary information they need for emergencies," Gladden said. "The information I give to crews is vital in all emergencies. Mistakes on my part have a major effect on the rest of the base in an emergency scenario."

Having the knowledge of a trained Air Force firefighter also helps him complete his job, Gladden said. According to his career field description, firefighters are required to plan, organize and direct fire protection activities. They are also required to be knowledgeable on fire safety and prevention and capable of fire response to control and extinguish aircraft, structure, wildland and miscellaneous fires. To do all those tasks, firefighters also have to be capable to drive or operate and be certified on numerous types of fire response vehicles and equipment.

At Gladden's deployed location, the main responsibility of firefighters is to provide fire protection for U.S. forces and assets. They respond to both medical and fire emergencies for both structural and aircraft. In the event of an aircraft fire, firefighters have a two-minute response time to make it on scene. Once on scene, they establish a water supply from an emergency water tank and draft, or vacuum, the water from the tank for other crews.

Other skills Air Force firefighters like Gladden are required to hold include conducting and evaluating training on specialized fire protection equipment and procedures. They also perform inspections and organizational maintenance on fire protection vehicles, equipment and protective clothing. They manage and operate fire alarm communications centers and support the electrical power production Airmen with resetting aircraft arresting systems.

Gladden, a native of Delaware, Ohio, said he joined the Air Force in 2007 for reasons similar to other Airman.

"I felt it was a great opportunity for me," Gladden said. "I get to serve my country while doing a job I love. I get to see other parts of the world I would never go to had I not joined. One-hundred percent tuition assistance is not a bad incentive either. We all have a purpose in life. Mine today is to serve in the United States Air Force. I have a thorough respect for what we do and view it as one of the most honorable jobs one can have."

Gladden said he also has a continued incentive to keep serving.

"If I had to say I had one influence on why I joined the Air Force, it would be my father," Gladden said. "He passed away when I was 16, and if he were here today I believe he would be proud of me."

The 380th ECES is a sub-unit of the 380th AEW. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

• Date Taken: 04.01.2010
• Date Posted: 04.01.2010 02:00
• Story ID: 47512
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)