SOUTHWEST ASIA -- They work in 24-hour shifts and are ready to respond to an emergency within seconds of hearing about it. Whether it's a structural or aircraft response, or working on fire prevention efforts, people like Airman 1st Class Brandon Ramos are on hand to get that job done.
Ramos is an Air Force firefighter with the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire department at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. He is deployed from the 100th CES fire department at RAF Mildenhall, England. As an emergency responder, Ramos and his fellow firefighters are responsible for protecting millions of dollars of Air Force assets and personnel from fire.
Air Force firefighters, according to their career field description, 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.
"As a firefighter, my duties are focused on all responses to in-flight and ground emergencies on all aircraft on the flightline as well as any fires that happen on base," said Ramos, whose hometown is Junction City, Kan. "We also respond to any medical emergencies and hazardous material situations."
In the event of an aircraft fire, for example, Ramos said firefighters have a two-minute response time to make it on scene. Once on scene, a crew establishes a water supply from an emergency water tank and they draft or vacuum the water from the tank for the other crews. "If the call comes, we'll be on the scene immediately," Ramos said.
The 2008 graduate of Junction City High School said he's proud to be able to support fire protection efforts for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing which supports Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and Operation Enduring Freedom.
"It is a great honor and I am very proud to serve my country and be in the world's best Air Force," said Ramos, a two-year veteran of the Air Force. "I'm honored to serve along with all the other Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Soldiers in the military."
The airman first class said being deployed also helps you put things into a broader perspective.
"Being deployed makes you realize how lucky and proud you are to be an American and to live in a free country," Ramos said. "There is no greater feeling than to wake up and see the American flag flying high every morning."
He also said he is proud of the support he receives from his family in Junction City. "I would like to give a shout out to my family and friends, especially my brother Justin, back home in Junction City," Ramos said. "I want them know that I love them and will see them after I get home from deployment."
The 380th AEW 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.