Course upgrades firefighter training, knowledge

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • Thunderbolt staff writer
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  After two weeks of upgrade training 14 NCOs graduated Tuesday from a Fire Officer II course hosted at the fire station here. 

Two Defense Department Fire Academy instructors from Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Tech. Sgt. Kevin Cotton and Al Medina, traveled throughout the command teaching firefighters to become better leaders. 

"We brought in instructors to teach fire service staff sergeants who are in leadership a little about human resources, fire inspections and investigations, occupational safety, emergency services operations, and how to be a fire officer and leader at the mid-level manager position," said Steven Kinkade, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant fire chief of operations. 

The two academy instructors taught eight unit courses over a 12-day period as part of a certification package firefighters need for their seven-level upgrade training. 

"They were divided into groups and were given different scenarios and table top exercises that dealt with decision making on the fire ground," Mr. Kinkade said. "It's not just 'putting the wet stuff to the red stuff' [putting water on fire]. They already know how to handle hazardous material, aircraft and structural emergencies, auto accidents, and other scenarios. Now they are learning to manage people and resources." 

Mr. Medina, a retired master sergeant and firefighter, said the course is a critical portion of a firefighter's career ladder. 

"If you look at how firefighters are trained, you look at time in service, experience and knowledge," he said. "At this level in their career they are in charge of a specific truck whether it's an aircraft or structural fire fighting vehicle. Most likely they are the first ones on-scene ahead of the chief or assistant chiefs." 

Those who arrive on-scene first must have the knowledge, ability and confidence to take command and that is what the course teaches, he said. 

"The Fire Officer II course is gauged around the leadership and management functions of crew chiefs or firefighters at this level in their career," Mr. Medina said. 

For Chief Master Sgt. Louis Alimonda, 56th CES fire chief, hosting the course here is a win-win for the Air Force. 

"To have academy instructors come to Luke and provide this training is absolutely fantastic," he said. "Not only does it benefit everyone from different bases learning how other units work together, but it saves the Air Force money in the long run." 

Being able to network and interact to see how others are doing things is an opportunity for everyone to become better firefighters, according to Chief Alimonda. 

"While we are not the best in everything, no base is, being able to interact with other bases makes us that much better," he said. "It's a great opportunity."