WANTED: Squadron teams to take on firefighter challenge

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Squadrons from Team Mildenhall have the opportunity to prove themselves against the might of 100th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters Oct. 7, when teams from around base can participate in the Firefighter Challenge, as part of Fire Prevention Week events.

Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 3 to 9, and will kick off Oct. 1 when Col. Chad Manske, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, signs the proclamation.

From 1 p.m. Oct. 7, the challenge events will begin and give Team Mildenhall a taste of what the firefighters have to go through when participating in the Firefighter Combat Challenge World Challenge, which this year will be held in November at Myrtle Beach, S.C.

In the real event, firefighters have to run against the clock, and achieve a time of less than two minutes, while wearing full protective gear and breathing apparatus.

During the local competition, participants can perform the events both individually and in a squadron team. Dressed in the firefighters' protective gear, each team or individual will then do events including a stair climb, hose hoist, cone run, hose advance and victim rescue.

Those not participating are invited to come out to the fire department and cheer on their team, and enjoy the tough, but fun, event.

Other Fire Prevention Week events are as follows:

· Oct. 1: Proclamation signing - 1 to 2:15 p.m., 100th ARW headquarters
· Oct. 4: Sparky the Fire Dog at the main gate - 7 to 8 a.m.
· Oct. 4: Fire Safety at BXtra - 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Includes visit from Sparky at 11:30 a.m. and fire extinguisher training, outside the BXtra, at 1:30 p.m.
· Oct. 4: Bowling with Sparky - 5 p.m. at the bowling alley
· Oct. 5: Facility managers fire briefing (mandatory) - 9 a.m. at the base theater
· Oct. 5: Fire department members visit Beck Row/officer housing area - 11:30 a.m.
· Oct. 6: Sparky and Firefighter Gary visit Beck Row Primary School - 9 to 11 a.m.
· Oct. 6: Sparky and Firefighter Gary visit the Busy Bees Nursery - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
· Oct. 6: Information booth at the Bob Hope Community Center - Noon to 2 p.m.
· Oct. 6: Fire extinguisher training at the fire department - 2 to 4 p.m.
· Oct. 7: Story time with Sparky at the child development center - 9 to 10:30 a.m.
· Oct. 7: Fire Muster at the fire department - 1 to 4:30 p.m.
· Oct. 7: Chip pan demonstration at RAF Mildenhall base housing area - 5 p.m.
· Oct. 8: Fire extinguisher training for BXtra and concessionaire employees - 9 to 10 a.m.
· Oct. 8: Chip pan demonstration at BXtra - 10 to 11 a.m.
· Oct. 8: Sparky and Pluggy visit BXtra - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
· Oct. 9: Fire department Open House - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The deadline for sign-up is Oct. 1.

For more information, call Tech. Sgt. Travis McNichols or Staff Sgt. Jessica Smiley at DSN: 238-2763 or 238-3911.

Editor's note: The fire muster could be cancelled if there are not enough teams. Sign up now to avoid disappointment!