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Fighterfighters at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chastin Warner, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, shovels dirt onto a fire to contain it from spreading at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, S.C., May 21, 2012. Shaw’s firefighters responded quickly to a 150-acre blaze at the Poinsett Range training site. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Blake Hubbard/Released)

Fighterfighters at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chastin Warner and Senior Airman Cody Nelson, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, determine the best course of action for extinguishing a fire at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, S.C., May 21, 2012. Shaw’s firefighters responded quickly to a 150-acre blaze at the Poinsett Range training site. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Blake Hubbard/Released)

Fighterfighters at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range

The South Carolina Forestry Department constructs trenches to manipulate the direction and dissemination of a fire throughout the wooded area at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, S.C., May 21, 2012. Shaw’s firefighters responded quickly to a 150-acre blaze at the Poinsett Range training site. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Blake Hubbard/Released)

Fighterfighters at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range

U.S. Air Force Airman Clayton Angeloff, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, hoses down trees and shrubs to reduce the potential damage of a fire at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, S.C., May 21, 2012. Shaw’s firefighters responded quickly to a 150-acre blaze at the Poinsett Range training site. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Blake Hubbard/Released)

Fighterfighters at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range

U.S. Air Force Airman Clayton Angeloff, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, prepares to refill his water tank to attack a fire at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, S.C., May 21, 2012. Shaw’s firefighters responded quickly to a 150-acre blaze at the Poinsett Range training site. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Blake Hubbard/Released)

Shaw firefighters tackle incidents, win contest

Published May 29, 2012
By 1st Lt. Ann Blodzinski
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 20th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department had a busy week responding to fires on base, off base and winning a firefighting competition in Charleston, S.C.

It all started May 16 when the Sumter County Fire Department asked for Shaw's assistance with an apartment building fire.

Luckily, the needed Shaw ladder truck was ready after recent repairs. The 75-foot truck's abilities assisted in putting out the fire, and no one was harmed in the incident.

"Firefighting is a great job: helping someone in the time of need, (and) especially when everyone comes home," said Greg Farley, 20th CES fire captain.

The next call was to Poinsett Range to fight a 175-acre fire, right in the middle of the operational readiness exercise. Always ready, the firefighters were on scene battling the blaze with success.

"It's absolutely imperative that we are ready for any call," said Farley. "When we come on shift, we check our vehicles and equipment to ensure they are serviceable. This way, we are ready for any incident we may need to respond to."

That training again prepared the department for the next event of the week, responding to a fatal car accident. Again, a partnership with Sumter County Fire Department, the firefighters came together and took care of the base and community as a team.

While the county and base teams held down the accident response at home, five members of the Shaw fire department were representing them all at the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge competition held at Charleston, S.C.

The competition is a five-man relay, which consists of five challenges including a 40-story stair climb, hose raise, Kaiser Forcible Entry Machine, hose drag and dummy drag.

Staff Sgt. Steven Thomas, the team captain, led Tech. Sgt. Marcus Hewitt, Staff Sgt. Tyler Aaby, Staff Sgt. John Neidrick and Senior Airman Cody Nelson to their first place victory at the competition against 15 other teams.

"It was great for camaraderie, and it was a great opportunity to see what other firefighters around the country are doing," said Nelson.

A few things poise Shaw's firefighters for success no matter what the call or competition. "Two things remain consistent: unit cohesiveness and camaraderie," said Nelson.