PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H. -- What is your job?
I am an aircraft rescue firefighter. On base, we work closely with the civil engineers, we are the first responders for base structure emergencies like burst pipes or gas leaks and ensure it is safe before CE can begin work to remedy the problem. Off base, the department has Mutual Aid agreements. We will respond to off base emergencies when requested in the surrounding towns and the Naval Shipyard.
How long have you been in the Air National Guard?
I enlisted into the Air National Guard in 2013 and completed my tech. school in 2014.
What kind of training do you need to complete?
Constant training is necessary for us in the fire department, for our safety and the safety of others. After our tech. school training, we have to complete three different vehicle courses: Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting, Pumper and Mobile Water Supply. On top of completing those, we must learn how to operate each truck within each category. Hazardous Materials Technician, Telecommunication, Fire instructor, Fire Inspector and Fire Officer are big courses and many have multiple tiers. Those are most of our Career Development Courses. On top of those, we need to complete monthly trainings which include medical classes, aircraft and building familiarization, fire ground tactics and safety.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I really do love the aircraft trucks because they're so different from anything you'd see off base. I also love getting to go on the different aircrafts that come to base. We need to be familiar with them all so that we know how to safely evacuate people from them in case of an emergency.