The Fire Within

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Williams
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  1st Special Operations Mission Support Group leadership learned first-hand what the Hurlburt Field fire department firefighters do every day in real-life emergencies during a first ever "crash" course Oct. 11.

The leadership participated in three different stations with various techniques the firefighters use during real life emergencies. The first station had real fire burns where the squadron leadership aimed and shot a vehicle mounted turret extinguishing a simulated C-130 crash site.

The second station taught leadership how to properly use a fire hose: and next the participants shot down two sets of cones while running to a simulated 75 pound mannequin, after they arrived to the manikin they dropped the hose and picked up the mannequin and ran back to safety.

The third station highlighted vehicle extraction and illustrated how firefighters avoid hurting the victims inside the vehicle. Leaders learned how to use the Jaws of Life and also how to break out a window without shattering the glass and risk further injury to the victim.

"I felt the hardest station was the simulated body pull and [hose] drag," said Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Ricchuito, a fire chief for the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron. "You have to use a lot of your legs and it requires a little more technique that people not properly trained won't understand."

The firefighters sometimes get a bad rep about not working hard and spending their entire work shift sitting in the station playing pinochle or working out, according to Ricchuito. The training showed leadership that firefighters participate in this type of training every day and never master the art of pinochle.

"The most important thing I learned was always making sure that you have your proper protection equipment," said Master Sgt. Jennifer Pahl, first sergeant for the 1st Special Operations Communication Squadron. "You always have a wingman you should always be there for your partner and assist them in helping each other with the patient."

The training showed the leadership and future group commanders what the fire station brings to the fight, day in and day out, according to Ricchuito.

"We want people to understand that firefighters do more than just respond to emergencies," said Ricchuito. "If we are not responding to emergencies or maintaining equipment were out here training doing the things were asking them to do on a daily basis."