By 1st Lt. Christopher Taylor
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
BAGHDAD- As smoked billowed from what looked to be the Saha Market in the northwest Baghdad neighborhood of Shulla, Sept. 30, 2008, Spc. Joseph Dillon quickly moved outside to see what the commotion was.
"There was an extremely large amount of smoke. I couldn't tell exactly what was burning, but the size of the fire was uncharacteristic of the trash burning that usually creates small plumes of smoke," said Dillon, with Company B, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Multi-National Division – Baghdad. "There was something wrong."
Shortly thereafter, the Soldiers at Joint Security Station Shulla began receiving reports from other coalition forces moving through the area and phone calls from nearby Iraqis in regards to the fire.
Preliminary reports from sources confirmed that the Saha Market was on fire. This market is vital to the economic growth and stability in Shulla.
Capt. Jeremy Ussery, commander of Co. B, made the decision to launch a dismounted patrol to the site of the fire to assist in whatever way possible. The dismounted patrol continued to see large amounts of smoke as it approached the scene.
"As we moved closer to the smoke, it became evident that the Saha Market was, in fact, the source of the fire," said 1st Lt. Nicholas Stout, with 1st Platoon, Co. B. "Given the amount of smoke that continued to billow from the market, it was obvious that this would be a significant emotional event for the people who work and live day-to-day out of the market."
Upon arriving on the scene, Ussery was faced with a problem he did not foresee.
There was nothing for them to do, Ussery said. The area was swarming with firefighters and Iraqi army soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division had already responded in full force.
"This specific situation is a prime example of how far the Iraqi army and essential services have flourished during our tenure in Shulla."
The Iraqi army battalion operating in Shulla has increased its proficiency since it took over the area.
"Each and every day, we edge closer and closer to becoming hands off and allowing the Iraqi army to conduct operations on their own," said 1st Sgt. Richard Skidis, the company's first sergeant. "This is my third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and this is the first time I can honestly say the Iraqi army is ready to take the reigns and lead from the front. Coalition forces can take a back seat and provide minimal assistance [to the Iraqi army] when needed."
Michael Morgan, a civilian contractor who works side-by-side with coalition forces on a Human Terrain Team, has been to many war-stricken countries and is an expert on Iraqi essential services. He is currently conducting an anthropological study of Iraqi culture.
Morgan's study brought him to Shulla on the day of the fire in time to experience their emergency services first hand.
"The fire department was quick to respond, efficient and the firemen appeared to be very dedicated to their work," he said. "I did not witness any hesitation in their efforts to put out the fire."
He said he was impressed with the professionalism and technical proficiency displayed by the fire department and Iraqi army.
As if the fire emergency services had not already achieved a great victory in the eyes of the populace, they took it once step further. The firemen began recording the names and contact information for each shop owner that was affected by the fire.
In the past, coalition forces would have to act as a catalyst to recover from a disaster like this.
"It is great to see such initiative being taken for the sole purpose of serving the Iraqi people," said Stout. "I would compare this to a child finally removing his training wheels on his first bike. Shulla is on track for great success."
The foresight of the emergency personnel to record contact information for each affected individual led to a very simple and organized micro-grant process.
The IA used one of the shops that was still standing as a staging area to fill out the micro-grant applications. The 68 shop owners were organized by the firemen and Iraqi army soldiers into a line and waited their turn to apply for a micro-grant. These micro-grants, although a coalition forces initiative, are a step in the right direction for the people of Shulla. It gives the people who were affected by the fire a chance to recover and even prosper.
The fire in the Saha Market, although a terrible incident in the lives of the many poor Iraqi familes, was a great test to the emergency services of the Shulla area.
If it is an indication of how the Iraqi army, Iraqi police and emergency services will function in the future, then the situation is a bright one indeed. The most important part is the people of Shulla see their countrymen providing for them, which is a win for coalition forces, the Iraqi security forces and the Government of Iraq.