Joint training key for firefighters Published Aug. 31, 2006 By By 1st Lt. Lisa Ferguson 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Most people associated with the Air Force understand joint missions with the sister services, but Pope's fire department values joint missions with a different group - local community fire departments. More specifically, Spring Lake fire department. "In 2005, we had 44 mutual aid calls with Spring Lake," said Tim Bosch, Pope fire department chief. "Pope firefighters are exposed to more mutual aid responses than anywhere in the Air Force. We're number one in responses in Air Mobility Command." Mutual aid responses here mean when Pope and Spring Lake fire departments are called in to work together on a fire, whether on base or off. "We train together so that we understand each other's communications and capabilities," Chief Bosch said. "We also train under the National Incident Command System enacted by the President, which defines how we would fall under one leader, one voice, and to practice smaller things you might not think of, like using same radio frequencies." "It's good to be on the same page as the local firefighters," said Staff Sgt. Bo Toft, Pope firefighter. "Knowing their procedures and what's on their truck saves precious moments." Last week, Pope and Spring Lake firefighters trained together, which they normally due once a quarter, out in Spring Lake. Buildings that were condemned and planned to be demolished were turned over to the Spring Lake Fire Department to use for fire training. "First we let all of our guys watch the fire and how it develops and grows," Chief Bosch said. "It's good training to see how a fire spreads in a building, so when you're actually in fighting the fire you have an understanding of the direction it goes." Air Force firefighters are trained mainly to deal with aircraft fires, so it's important to spend time training with local firefighters to understand structural fires, as well. "When you go out there [Spring Lake] it's amazing to see those guys," Sergeant Toft said. "They have to adapt to their environment, and you have about five seconds to realize what's going on once you're out there." Firefighters are initially taught to fight fires on their knees, according to Sergeant Toft, which refers to staying as low as you can as you fight a fire, because it's cooler with less smoke. Firefighters also understand that fighting fires low isn't always possible, which shows the importance of adapting quickly to the environment. Pope firefighters also invite Spring Lake firefighters on base to train should Pope have an emergency. "They come out here for aircraft training, as well," Chief Bosch said. "Spring Lake is our first responders on base, and they also have a truck with a 102-foot ladder, which can reach the fourth floor of our newest dorm on base." Pope doesn't have a fire truck of its own that can reach that high, and Spring Lake will come out to train using the truck with base firefighters, according to the fire chief. "Some of our troops are three-level tech school graduates, and it's good for them to get this live fire training," Chief Bosch said. "It's a great motivator, a great morale booster and for some, their first live fire experience."