35th Firedogs: more than just brave Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman Kenna Jackson
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  In the minds of many, the word 'firefighter' may invoke images of a big, burly man who dashes into burning buildings, saves kittens in trees and carries an ax. However, the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron's firefighters, nicknamed firedogs, know better than anyone that there is more to the title of 'firefighter' than nerves of steel and a muscular physique.

Firemen serve in 24-hour shifts at base Fire Stations 1 and 2, where they live and work as a team. Due to this lifestyle and the dangers firemen face, people often recognize them for their camaraderie and family-like mentality. Similar to some families, they tease one another, give each other nicknames and get under each other's skin.

"Like brothers and sisters, half the time we want to punch one another," Airman 1st Class Bradley Baker, 35 CES firefighter jokes. "But, in the end, we know that we are there for each other."

Although the primary responsibility of the base's tight-knit fire department family is to respond to various emergency calls, they support the 35th Fighter Wing's mission and the community by assisting various organizations on base when necessary.

As trained first responders, firemen may need to provide emergency first aid, facilitate childbirth or offer life-saving techniques to patients until they can be transported to the nearest medical facility.

Firemen assist Airmen who specialize in handling hazardous material as well. This is because part of a fireman's training is working with hazardous chemical, radiological and biological material.

"While out on chemical emergency calls, we identify and cordon hazardous material," said Staff Sgt. Christian Sandoval, 35 CES firefighter crew chief. "If there are contaminated people at the site, we scrub as much of the hazardous material off of them as possible before sending them to medics."

When readily available, firemen also assist the barrier maintenance shop with the relocation of flightline barriers. These barriers are systems used to rapidly decelerate aircraft as they land on the flightline.

"Firemen do a little bit of everything," said Baker. "We're a lot bigger than most shops and have the training to help."

When not responding to emergencies or supporting other shops, firefighters maintain their stations and tend to their individual responsibilities. Firemen do this by keeping their trucks in pristine condition, filing documented incident reports and making sure all equipment is serviceable and accounted for.

"Checking our equipment is very important," said Baker. "You cannot put out a fire if your equipment doesn't work or is missing pieces."

When firemen are not helping someone or responding to emergencies, they focus on academic and physical training. Prior to certification as a firefighter, Airmen are required to go through a basic firefighter course at the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. Under National Fire Protection Association requirements, they are educated on structural firefighting principles, structural fire ground operations and airport firefighting.

After graduating the academy, firefighters review their training on a daily basis. They keep themselves physically and mentally fit by exercising and attending group training sessions.

"Being prepared for anything is a huge challenge," said Baker. "You have to be able to pull that knowledge out at any time."

During these sessions, firemen review basic techniques ranging from tying rescue knots to executing emergency escape maneuvers. Firemen also train to respond to vehicle accidents.

Depending on the severity of the crash or the extent of injury to the people in the vehicle, firemen may need to use vehicle extrication equipment or hydraulic rescue tools to pry the victims out of the damaged vehicles, said Baker. This equipment includes the 'Jaws of Life', a ram used to push the motor and dashboard of a vehicle away from the driver so that he may be easily removed from the vehicle.

Firemen must be physically fit in order to maneuver with this equipment, which is anything but light, said Staff Sgt. Christopher Carey, 35 CES firefighter crew chief. The protective gear firemen wear easily weighs approximately 65 pounds.

Apart from lugging around this equipment, one of the most common problems a fireman will face is heat stress. More firefighters suffer fatal consequences from heart attacks and heat-related injuries than from any other causes. This means the discipline to train every day and maintain top performance is a necessary characteristic for all firemen.

"It is common for firemen to face situations that the human body is not designed to deal with," said Baker. "This means that dedication to physical fitness is very important. A firefighter has to be in perfect shape to be able to handle being in these austere environments. If they aren't, the combined effect of exhaustion and dehydration could be fatal."

Despite the hardships and sacrifices firemen have to make on a daily basis, their efforts and self-less mentality do not go unrecognized.

"Although the admiration firemen receive from people is heart-warming," Carey added. "The self-respect and pride I gain from completing a job and protecting the base community is why I joined the Air Force."