Marines conduct fire safety drill on Camp Leatherneck

Photo By Sgt. Laura Bonano | Fire-fighters carry Sgt. Devin Cooper, with I Marine Expeditionary Headquarters Group (Forward), to safety during an exercise April 12, on Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. Fire-fighters have to find simulated casualties and clear the building for the fire drill.  

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

04.12.2012

Story by Sgt. Laura Bonano 

Regional Command Southwest

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Marines from I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward) took part in a fire drill exercise on Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, April 12, working with the fire department to complete vital training.

The fire department, made up of contracted civilians from different countries such as Kosovo, Turkey, The United Kingdom and the United States, responded to a mock emergency call at I MHG (Fwd). A fire and two unaccounted for personnel were reported to fire dispatch.

Within five minutes of the distress call, rescuers arrived and began to stretch 950 feet of fire hose to attack the fire.

Gregory M. Proctor, the assistant fire chief at Camp Leatherneck, said the main objective of the exercise was to ensure the continued readiness of fire-fighters to combat fires and rescue personnel.

“The number one priority at all times is life safety,” said Proctor, a prior Air Force fire fighter and native of Washington D.C.

A team of fire-fighters quickly entered the building to search for the fire and any missing personnel. They successfully found two simulated casualties and provided medical care once they were safely evacuated.

Major Mark Wald, the executive officer for I MHG (Fwd), said working with the fire department was seamless. Proctor approached Wald to conduct the exercise at I MHG because the large size of the facility provided the opportunity to practice in an unfamiliar space.

“Everything worked internally as far as having personnel be ready to let the fire department in and we evacuated everyone successfully,” said Wald.

Pretending to be a victim added stress on the fire-fighters and forced them to make critical and fast decisions, said Staff Sgt. Kyle Lammerding, communications chief for I MHG (Fwd).

Lammerding acted as one of the rescued casualties and said he was impressed with the teamwork and communication between the rescuers.

Lammerding, a native of Havre, Mont., has worked with the fire department in the past, improving radio communications.

“If they can’t communicate, lives are at stake,” said Lammerding. “They need to be able to talk not only within teams, but back to the station, as well as between vehicles. There was great communication that showed even though they have people from all over the world, they were able to talk and effectively do their job.”

Proctor said the exercise was a success and gave the fire-fighters a chance to train outside of scenarios they usually deal with on base. He said 75 to 80 percent of calls are usually medical related.

“This training with I MHG is important in order to maintain proficiency, so when fires do happen, it’s a seamless operation,” he said.

• Date Taken: 04.12.2012
• Date Posted: 04.26.2012 08:47
• Story ID: 87373
• Location: HELMAND PROVINCE, AF
• Hometown: HAVRE, MT, US