JULY 4, 2013 BY JOEL ARNWINE from New Mexico Fire Info
Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) Crash Rescue Goes Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Helicopters were a critical asset in helping to suppress the Silver Fire in the Gila National Forest. At the peak of the incident, six helicopters were used to make water drops, fly reconnaissance missions, and transport cargo and personnel. When fire management personnel r…ealized they would be using several helicopters each day throughout the duration of the fire, they wanted to make sure they had a crash rescue unit on scene in case of an aircraft accident.
Chief of Party Kristopher Gitter eagerly responded to a request from the Gila National Forest for aircraft crash and rescue support by sending Crash Rescue Unit #16. “Our mission when ordered was to stage at the incident Helibase to respond to helicopter landing emergencies. Our primary function was to get the pilot and crew members out of the helicopter, then suppress fire.”
Crash Rescue #16 is a P-19 crash rescue engine that holds 1,000 gallons of water and 130 gallons of Class B foam concentrate (AFFF-Aquious Film Forming Foam) that is specifically designed to extinguish fire with flammable liquids. It is also equipped with a 500-pound dry chemical unit used to extinguish electrical fires and chemicals that are present in aircraft accidents. Engines that normally respond to wildfires are equipped with Class A foam which is intended to extinguish woody material. The P-19 has two exterior nozzles that can shoot water or foam up to 175 feet in order to extinguish an exterior aircraft fire. “The cab is setup so the driver can operate nozzles and the extinguisher to provide for safety and establish a safe passage to extricate aircraft occupants.”
Firefighters train continuously in aircraft crash and rescue, hi-angle rescue, swift water rescue and many other rescue techniques. Firefighters are also certified Emergency Medical Technicians.
Since June 11, crews have been rotating out on a ten day schedule. Fourteen days is the normal tour of duty, however, Gitter said, “I have so many firefighters who wanted to help we reduced the number of days per tour.”
Placing the KAFB Crash Rescue Unit on scene was crucial in maintaining safe ground operations on the Silver Fire.
For information on all New Mexico Wildfires click here: https://nmfireinfo.com/
