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Firefighters keep training current

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class BrieAnna Stillman
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Sweat drips down their faces in the 90 degree, humid, South Carolina weather as they carry hundreds of pounds of equipment on their backs while training to save lives.

Team Shaw’s 20th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters perform intensive training in order to stay proficient on procedures and ensure they are physically fit for the job.

“We do a basic confidence course yearly to ensure we stay intact with our cardio and it is job specific,” said Senior Airman Christopher Moretto, 20th CES firefighter apprentice.

The firefighters perform tasks in full gear, which adds approximately 100 pounds to their body weight. Each task represents real-world scenarios, such as climbing up and down a ladder multiple times, pulling a tire up from the first floor to the second and slowly letting it down, and dragging an approximately 180 pound dummy out of harm’s way.

Every once in a while, the firefighters will take Airmen within the 20th CES and put them through firefighting training so they can experience how physically tasking the job can be.

Although their job can be very strenuous, Team Shaw firemen fully embrace the job and make the best out of any situation.

“There is nothing better than firefighting, in my opinion,” said Senior Airman Christopher Rosenthal, 20th CES fire fighter journeyman. “It’s the best job in the Air Force because it is never monotonous. I get to meet all walks of life and there is no batter feeling then helping someone who really is in need.”