Fire crew shines

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Katie Batchelder
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  For two years in a row, the Travis Fire Emergency Services Squadron has garnered the Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Sanborn award. The annual award honors Chief Master Sgt. Ralph E. Sanborn, who dedicated his 44-year career from 1943 to 1987 improving the Air Force fire protection capabilities, and is given to the Fire Protection Flight that achieves the highest degree of excellence in base mission support and fire protection management.

The team, bonded by friendship and dedication to saving lives, was recognized for a number of achievements in 2008 and 2009, naming them the best large fire department in Air Mobility Command, and has also shined in 2010.

Led by Fire Chief John Speakman and Assistant Fire Chief Rob Jones, FES continues to take steps toward constant improvement and innovativeness in a unique, proactive and on-the-go environment.

"I am very proud of the achievements of everyone assigned to this flight," said Mr. Speakman. "The forward leaning initiatives and the constant team building with the 349th, fellow on base responders, and our mutual aid partners from Solano County have made us a role model in many ways."

In 2010, FES had two cardiopulmonary resuscitation saves. They took charge on a C-5 Galaxy fuel spill and protected $128 million and averted environmental impact. The team also responded to a bedroom fire, provided aid to a burn victim and extinguished the flames with zero firefighter injuries.

They responded to an Australian F-111 fuel leak where they evacuated personnel, prevented a fire and saved coalition aircraft. They were also first on the scene of a C-5 Galaxy auxiliary power unit fire and halted the fire spread.

In addition to responding to on-base incidents, FES supports Solano County with fire training and fighting California wildfires.

"It's a true partnership, it's give and take. It's them supporting us and us supporting them," said Mr. Speakman.

Jason McKnight, a FES crew chief, was named the 2010 Air Force Outstanding Civil Engineer Manager of the Year for the civilian technician category for his numerous accomplishments and responsibilities as a crew chief.

"It's about what you do above and beyond," said Mr. Jones. "And that's exactly what he does."

Mr. McKnight runs the self-contained breathing apparatus program. He taught a 240-hour nationally registered emergency medical technician course where 20 firefighters and base personnel were certified. He helped those taking the course increase their scores above the national average passing rate of 67 percent to more than 90 percent, the highest average of any instructor in Solano County. Mr. McKnight is also a Solano Community College Emergency Medical Technician instructor, and was recently recognized as the 60th Mission Support Group's Category I civilian for the last quarter of 2010.

In 2009, FES responded to more than 900 emergencies. During one emergency, they provided care to an unresponsive male, assessed and treated him for shock and took vital signs and provided the patient with a second chance.

In 2008, FES conquered one of the largest fires in Air Force history and led a unified command of eight-alarm respondents to a fire that consumed 176 vacant houses. Two hundred and twenty-five firefighters responded during the three-day crisis, with zero lives lost.

Also in 2008, FES saved a 17 year old who had cardiac problems and collapsed at the gym.

"There's nothing that we do that is more rewarding than saving lives," said Mr. Speakman. "Without our actions, he might not have made it."

In addition to their heroic actions in 2008, the FES team won its fourth World Championship Firefighter Combat Challenge, a grueling relay race that includes running up and down a five-level staircase while carrying a firehouse and dragging a 175-pound dummy from one point to another. FES still holds the fastest relay record at 1 minute, and 7 seconds.