100th ARW command chief kicks ash with firefighters

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  While he didn't take names, Chief Master Sgt. Tracy Jones, 100th Air Refueling Wing command chief, kicked ash April 25, 2013, when he trained with the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department firefighters.

As part of the "dirty jobs" program on RAF Mildenhall, leadership gets an opportunity to perform critical jobs across base, to see how they contribute to the mission.

"I thought the training was very good - (the firefighters) taught me a lot in a very small amount of time," Jones said. "I'm surprised how well they do the job with how cumbersome the equipment is. It doesn't make it easy, but because of the amount of training they do, they make it look easy."

Firefighters are first responders, on alert to answer the call day and night.

When they aren't responding to emergencies, the firefighters are training for emergencies and doing their utmost to prevent them in the first place.

The fire department is comprised of 82 members including the fire chief, deputy chief, station officer and administrative professional, and training, fire prevention, health and safety, logistics and fire alarm communication center.

The majority of the firefighters are assigned to the operations section; the military firefighters working 24-hours on duty, 24-hours off; the civilians work a shift of 24-hours on, 72-hours off duty.

Airman 1st Class Kevin Brittan, 100th CES Fire Department firefighter from Lindenhurst, N.Y., was the driver and operator of the fire truck Jones rode on.

"I loved the idea of the command chief coming out to 'play,'" Brittan said. "It's great that they care enough to take the time and see how hard we work."

The challenge of training the 100th ARW's highest enlisted member was one the firefighters took on with relish.

"I thought it was really easy to train (him); it was a lot to know in a small amount of time, and he did a really good job retaining the information," Brittan said. "It's a common stereotype that firefighters are only muscle and no brain - I think Chief Jones would agree that a lot of thinking goes into every little thing we do."

Whether working with those new to training, or experienced "fire dawgs," safety is top priority to the firefighters.

"It's very scary running into a burning building for the first time; I'm sure he was very nervous - but the fire department is a brotherhood and we had his back through everything," Brittan said.

At the training area, firefighters worked together ensuring their command chief was safe, yet had a realistic look at what they do.

Staff Sgt. Noah Leiter, 100th CES firefighter, was Jones' Wingman as the pair fought the flames in the training facility and after putting out the raging fire, they rescued a simulated casualty from the burning building.

Temperatures inside the fire training house reach between 200 to 300 degrees Celsius.

"It's truly a selfless service - they're willing to put it all on the line for us every day; I think that's amazing," the command chief said. "My favorite part was hanging out with the guys and doing this (training) with them. The most exciting part was when I was inside, putting out the fire - the first time I felt the heat, it was kind of shocking how hot it actually was."

"It was a pretty eery feeling," Jones said. "You can just imagine what it's like when you're not in a training environment. (When training,) you can just turn off (the flames) with a safety valve; in the real world you don't have that."

The "dirty jobs" program is proving popular.

"It shows our Airmen (Col. Christopher Kulas, 100th ARW commander, and Jones) care, and provides senior leaders a better understanding of what our Airmen do every day," Chief Master Sgt. Scott Knupp, 100th CES fire chief, said.

"The fire guys are no different than other specialties on base; they have a love for what they do and are proud to show it off to anyone wishing to watch," Knupp said. "Having Chief Jones come down to visit was great, and you could tell he was genuinely interested in their job and hearing what they had to say."

For more information on how to schedule a dirty job, contact Tech. Sgt. Cassandra Denton at DSN 238-7004 or commercial at 01638-547004.