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Shaw responds, community strengthens

  • Published
  • By Airman BrieAnna Stillman
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Airmen from the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department responded to a mutual aid request in Sumter, South Carolina, July 18.

Sumter Fire Department personnel requested the assistance of the 20th CES Fire Department around noon due to a spreading building fire in the downtown area.

“It’s been a great relationship with Shaw,” said Brian Christmas, Sumter Fire Department chief. “There have been numerous hours where they jump in and they’re just like part of our team. We get in there and work together.”

There were approximately 90 firefighters from seven different fire departments across the county, as well as Red Cross and state mutual aid personnel who came to assist with the building fire which started at a local business on Magnolia Street.

“We rely on each other for mutual benefits frequently,” said Greg Farley, 20th CES Fire Department system fire chief. “We provide manpower and equipment, and Shaw gains real world experiences in the field, creating some of the best firemen.”

In 2015, the 20th CES Fire Department responded to 142 mutual aid requests from the city of Sumter.

Sumter Fire Department trains frequently with the 20th CES Fire Department to ensure that when the alarm rings, our Airmen are ready at a moment’s notice to support the local community, said Farley.

The fire was under control by around 7 p.m., after approximately six hours of intense firefighting.