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20th CES firefighters put to the test

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kelsey Tucker
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - --  Airmen assigned to the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron fire and emergency services participated in a confidence course here Jan. 11.

The course tested the basic firefighting skills of the Airmen through a variety of obstacles such as raising ladders, carrying hoses, and dummy carries, all while wearing full protective gear.

"We only have one time to get it right when an emergency occurs," said Jake Mathews, 20th CES fire chief. "We train as if everything is real. The more we train the better we are for the real event, and the more likely everything will go smoothly."

The firefighters train every day to ensure they are ready to accomplish the mission at a moment's notice.

"Our primary mission here is to serve those F-16's out on the ramp," said Mathews. "We have to make sure that whenever an incident occurs we are ready to meet the challenge."

Housing 79 F-16CM Fighting Falcons, the 20th Fighter Wing is the largest combat fighter wing in the world capable of bringing air power to combatant commanders across the globe, so it's imperative the fire department is ready at a moment's notice to bring aid to the mighty war birds.

Performing the entire course in full gear was one of the biggest challenges the firefighters faced.

"With our techniques, our gear - as much as it protects us - it hinders us just as much," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Crusius, 20th CES fire fighter. "The loss of dexterity is exponential, the more gear we put on, but it's all for protection. And that's why we train so hard."

Another obstacle the firefighters faced was the use of a self-contained breathing apparatus. This added an element of pressure when it came to completing the course in a timely manner - before they'd expended too much of their air supply.

In 2015, the fire department responded to 624 calls both on and off base. With this sort of demand, it is vital that the 65 Airmen and civilians assigned to the fire station are ready whenever they are needed.