Moody, local firefighters train together to improve skills

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Throughout the years, Moody's Fire Department has developed a close partnership with local fire departments aimed at sharing training opportunities that lead to best serving the local populace.

Moody has a mutual aid agreement with Lanier County, Lowndes County and the city of Valdosta to provide various services including fire protection.

"It's a wonderful relationship we have with the community," said Chief Master Sgt. Eric Mortensen, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department superintendent. "We can call on each other for assistance in any fire-related incident.

"Many of the incidents occur in the local area; through responding quickly, we accomplish two goals," he added. "We reduce suffering and financial burden."

To supplement fire protection, the 23rd CES also provides the local communities with other services.

"We send out our explosive ordinance disposal team and emergency management services to more than the local community," he said. "We've sent assistance to farther places including Hahira and Tifton because we were needed."

Aside from providing help during real world emergencies, Moody and local fire departments also train together.

"Most recently, we did a live fire training with the Valdosta Fire Department," said Chief Mortensen. "The Valdosta Regional Airport has to renew their Federal Aviation Administration certification annually. In order to do that, we help them prove they have adequate emergency response capabilities through the training."

Many Moody firefighters find the off-base training beneficial for multiple reasons.

"Doing the live fire training exercise with the Valdosta Fire Department was my first interaction with firefighters off base," said Airman 1st Class Frank LaBroad, 23rd CES firefighter. "It was intense because I'm used to on-base responses and fires.

"In training off base, we get more hands-on experience with structural fires, which accomplishes our second mission, behind dealing with aircraft fires," he added. "In this scenario, we were training in a burning house, so the fire was on all sides. It was good to get training experiences that Air Force firefighters don't typically encounter."

Another Airman, who has trained multiple times with off-base firefighters, sees value in the training because of the shared knowledge.

"I've been at Moody for four years and I've trained with the Valdosta firefighters a few times, "said Senior Airman Matthew Babbitt, 23rd CES firefighter. "The majority of on-base calls that we respond to are medical or in-flight emergencies, whether it be a warning light in the cockpit or gears malfunctioning.

"By working together, we benefit -- we get to see how each group operates," he added. "They get to see the procedures we follow as well as have an opportunity to train with our equipment."

This relationship continues to be a positive influence for each side and has been successful for various reasons.

"With this legacy of assistance in the local vicinity, we have built and maintained an outstanding relationship," said Mr. Eunice. "The civilians get exposure to unique military traits and from them, we receive support and recognition.

"Our Airmen are developing their skills in multiple scenarios and are now better able to work with the local firefighters," he added. "Because of this relationship, both civilian and military firefighters are developing into better professionals and are better able to respond to emergencies."