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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Before an emergency call comes across the radio, firefighters on Fort Bragg spend countless hours preparing for events such as structural fires and vehicle accidents to medical emergencies and hazardous material incidents. Firefighters assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina train constantly to maintain readiness across one of the military’s largest and busiest bases.
Inside training facilities and on carefully constructed emergency scenarios, crews rehearse everything from search and rescue procedures to high-angle operations and mass casualty response. The demanding schedule is designed to ensure firefighters can respond immediately when lives are at risk.
“We are one of the busiest Department of War (DoW) Fire Department in the world, but we always find time to train," said Matthew Grieve, the senior training officer for the Fort Bragg fire and emergency services. “We have monthly required training to complete but the crews also have their proficiency training in their response areas as well as specialized training for the teams they are assigned to.”
Training on a military installation presents unique challenges that differ from those faced by many civilian fire departments, stated Grieve. Firefighters on Fort Bragg must be prepared to operate around military aircraft, airborne operations and specialized facilities spread across the installation.
“Fort Bragg firefighters complete several different certifications just to be hired on to Fort Bragg,” said Grieve. “All have attended a formal fire academy such as the DoW fire training academy in Texas. We are an all hazard department, our firefighters are trained in hazardous materials, confined space, water rescue, technical rescue and all firefighters are required to be an emergency medical technician.”
Grieve goes on to say teamwork is one of the most important aspects of training. Crews work closely together during drills to build trust and communication skills that become essential during real-world emergencies.
Whether responding to a fire inside a barracks building or assisting during a large-scale training accident, firefighters rely on one another to make quick decisions under pressure.
“Teamwork is a part of every aspect of our job, it fosters trust between members, knowing that each person’s actions directly affect the safety of the group,” said Grieve. “This trust is built through rigorous training, where firefighters learn to rely on one another for physical, technical, and mental support.”
Physical fitness also plays a major role in the profession. Firefighters regularly carry heavy equipment, climb stairs in full protective gear and perform rescues in dangerous environments. Training exercises are often designed to simulate the physical and mental stress crews may experience during actual emergencies.
Despite the intensity of the work, this type of training helps prepare them for the unpredictable nature of the job.
“We are in a constant state of readiness and are prepared to respond to anything,” said Grieve. “We work with local partners on and off the installation and participate in mass casualty exercises.”
Fort Bragg firefighters also conduct fire prevention education and emergency preparedness training throughout the installation. Officials say maintaining readiness extends beyond emergency response and includes helping soldiers and families understand how to stay safe before an incident occurs.
For firefighters on Fort Bragg, training is part of the responsibility that comes with protecting Soldiers, families and the surrounding community every day.
“We spend more time with each other than our own families, we argue and have disagreements but at the end of the day we are all there for each other and when it's time to do work, we make it happen,” said Grieve. “Fort Bragg and the surrounding communities can rest easy knowing they have a team of utmost professionals standing by waiting to help in any way.”
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2026 21:27 |
| Story ID: | 565416 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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