| Soldiers from Fort Lewis, Wash., march toward their first of day of on-site training as part of Task Force Blaze Aug 15, 2006. About 500 Soldiers are supporting the National Interagency Fire Center in putting out wildfires in the northern Washington region. |
Soldiers respond to forest fire
August 16, 2006
By Spc. Laura M. Bigenho
28th Public Affairs Detachment
More than 500 Soldiers from Fort Lewis, Wash., have responded to the National Interagency Fire Center’s request for military assistance in battling forest fires in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest near Winthrop, Wash. The lightning-caused fire has burned more than 83,000 acres.
Units comprising Task Force Blaze include 1st Battalion, 38th Regiment; 23rd Chemical Battalion; 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment; 4th Battalion, 6th Aviation Regiment; 29th Signal Battalion and 28th Public Affairs Detachment.
Soldiers were divided into 25 teams of 20 Soldiers each, with each team led by a NIFC civilian crew advisor. They spent their first day together Sunday, Aug. 13, in a classroom where they received wildland fire training. Soldiers also received personal protection equipment and hands-on training from NIFC.
“We are going to assist NIFC in doing what they need us to do,” said Lt. Col. Ricardo Love, Task Force Blaze commander. “This is a mission we aren’t accustomed to, but we are (receiving) appropriate training. NIFC has done an outstanding job of coming down here and making us part of their team.”
The purpose of classroom training was to familiarize Soldiers with fire’s behavior and how to use their firefighting equipment, said Dave Morrison, NIFC instructor.
“The classroom is the foundation of a fireman’s training,” Morrison said. “We also emphasize safety. There is no forest or structure that is worth the life of their comrades or themselves.”
Soldiers were also given hands-on instruction with a fire shelter – a lifesaving device that was issued to every person. Soldiers were tested on their ability to open and get inside their shelters in 25 seconds or less. Those who did not pass were considered dead and given another chance until they had it right.
Although shelters protect firefighters from death, Anthony Chapman, an Alaskan Fire Services military crew advisor, points out they should only be used as a last resort.
“Even though we train on (how to use) fire shelters, we really stress and teach people how to look for safety zones so they know where to go and not be impacted by the fire,” Chapman said.
Pfc. Luke Schneider, a 1st Battalion, 38th Regiment infantryman, said he looks forward to deploying and using what he has learned in training.
“This is a good opportunity to get out and do something really different,” Schneider said. “I like that I can (apply) this training to the civilian world, especially if I decide to become a fireman.”
Task Force Blaze members expect to be actively fighting fires Thursday, Aug. 17, after two days of thorough field training. They will be deployed for up to 30 days.
“This is part of what the military is prepared to do. We have a mission and now we must execute it,” Love said. “I think we have highly motivated Soldiers who are looking forward to the experience.”
Fort Lewis is not the only military installation assisting NIFC with the battle. United States Northern Command has mobilized four Air National Guard C-130 aircraft – two from Oregon and two from Idaho - that are equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems.