Photo By Master Sgt. Benjamin Mota | Grissom firefighters, operating two fire trucks, extinguish flames on a mock airframe...... read more read more
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. - On a quiet summer night, 30-foot flames lit the once dark skies at Grissom producing radiant heat that would melt normal clothing, and while most would run from such dangers, one group of individual’s moved toward it.
The fire department is one of several organizations here at Grissom that work and train after dark and around the clock to ensure mission essential personnel and property are kept safe.
“Our fire department provides services 24-7,” said Todd Woolf, Grissom Fire Department assistant chief of training. “Firefighters work 48-hour shifts and must be prepared to respond to an emergency during any part of that shift.”
That preparation was recently exemplified during a night-time simulated aircraft fire where they honed their skills under the star-lit skies at Grissom’s fire pit.
“There’s a huge difference between having an emergency during the day and having one at night,” explained Woolf. “We need to know our equipment well enough that we don’t have to see to be able to use it, and that is accomplished through training and repetition.”
“The training we do builds muscle memory that allows us to operate in any type of condition at any given time,” explained Josh Van Zuiden, GFD firefighter. “That muscle memory saves time, and for us every second is critical when lives are at stake.
“We have to be able to provide the same quality of response in the middle of the night as we would during the day,” he added.
That response begins when the alarm sounds indicating emergency services are needed. After that, firefighters have just 60 seconds to respond, and that response involves much more than just leaving the station.
“You have to be prepared both mentally and physically,” said Van Zuiden who is also a registered emergency medical and a hazardous materials technician. “The mental portion comes from the aspect of knowing that you have a job to do and getting it done while the physical part comes from staying healthy and conducting routine training.”
To help that, physical fitness training is part of their routine.
“Because of the physical demands of their job, firefighters are expected to maintain a level of cardio and strength proficiency to perform the job,” said Woolf. “Firefighting gear alone is 70 pounds and some of the equipment we use is as heavy as 100 pounds.
“Staying physically fit ensures firefighters can respond to the different types of services we provide,” added Woolf.
In addition to fire services, GFD responds to vehicle accidents, HazMat incidents, medical emergencies, gas leaks and confined space, and high angle rescues both on and off base.
“Our main mission is to support Grissom, but when other local fire departments request our support, we are able to assist through mutual aid agreements,” said Capt. James Jones, GFD crew chief.
“Grissom Fire Department is the only department in Miami County that has the capabilities and trained technicians to respond to a hazardous material emergency,” said John Ireland, GFD fire chief. “Chemical releases require trained technicians to stop the leak and treat injured patients.”
In addition, more than a dozen of the GFD's 49 firefighters are certified rescue trained, allowing them to conduct rescues from high and low angles, in confined spaces and from under collapsed structures.
“Any time you are working in a confined space rescue or in a smoke-filled room visibility can be an issue,” said Van Zuiden who is certified rescue trained. “Night training is one of the tools we use to build confidence and learn to work as team.”
Working as a team is also an expectation for Grissom firefighters, said Jones.
As a crew chief he is responsible for three to four firefighters on his crew. After arriving on-scene, it is his responsibility to guide and direct them were to go after receiving command from the senior fire officer.
“I’m responsible for what happens to them and what they do,” said Jones. “You have to be able to rely on the guy next to you when responding to an emergency.
“I’ve been a firefighter for 25 years and there definitely is a brotherhood,” he said.
That brotherhood is formed partially from the time spent together at work combined with the camaraderie shared after-hours.
“That bond is formed from the day you start here; we work together, eat together, and spend a lot of time together,” added Van Zuiden. “This is our home away from home, and most of us spend more time here with each other than we do with our own family.”
“After hours we watch movies together, we joke around and we laugh, and that’s what it’s all about in this fire department,” concluded Jones. “You have to have a sense of humor to do the job we do night or day.”
The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2015 15:04 |
| Story ID: | 168173 |
| Location: | GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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