Fire beats ice when ice isn't nice

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson Air Force Base is a unique assignment for many reasons, its freezing temperatures and proximity to Santa Claus and the North Pole, to name a few. One thing Airmen and their families must be aware of while in Alaska is its unforgiving natural traps.

The 354th Civil Engineer Squadron Firefighters are prepared to rescue those who may fall victim to those traps. Firefighters are first responders not only for fires, car accidents and rescuing cats out of trees; they are also trained for ice water rescue.

Although they use different variables for training like an unconscious or panicked victim, the basic situation remains the same.

"Somebody is out on the ice, breaks through the ice, and can't pull themselves out. Our job would be then to get out there, make contact with them, reassure them that we're going to come out and get them," said Jeff Akin, 354th Civil Engineer Squadron fire rescue training instructor.

The firefighter performing the rescue puts on an orange immersion suit and is attached to a man on the shore with a rope. The rescuer uses a sling to pull them onto the ice rescue board and tows the victim back to shore.

"The training is all about being proficient, making sure that [Airmen] new to the base a familiar with the equipment, tools and techniques for doing the rescue," said Mr. Akin.

Although the fire department has never had to perform an ice water rescue in the 18 years Mr. Akin has worked here, the training is required for all of the firefighters and is conducted twice a year -- once in the spring and once in the fall.

"We're in Alaska, lakes are frozen nine to ten months out of the year," said Mr. Akin. "There are those few possibilities where in the late spring when the ice is breaking up that people will get out on the ice and don't realize that it's thinner that what it is. They could break through, same thing in the Fall when they might be in a hurry to get on the lakes."

The firefighters train in the classroom first for approximately an hour.

"We do a quick PowerPoint training where we go over the hazards involved, what to look for, keeping an eye out for each other, making sure people aren't exposed and getting frostbite while they're working," said Mr. Akin. "We go over the different types of the ice conditions and familiarizing them with the equipment."

While this training might be important to those who need rescuing, it is also very important for the rescuers.

"It's my job to make sure my men are operating safely, I'm also checking signs and symptoms making sure those guys are ok and not getting hypothermia or frost bite," said Master Sgt. Blaine Barker, 354th CES Fire Dept. chief of operations. "I get my responders any additional information, assets or equipment and personnel that they need."

As anyone can imagine, no emergency is ever the same.

"Training is our number one thing," said Sergeant Barker. "Ninety-percent of what we do here is constant training, waiting for the next emergency."

According to both Mr. Akin and Sergeant Barker it is imperative that firefighters are familiar with the equipment and techniques used to rescue victims.

"Our job is not just doing it, it's being proficient at [rescuing victims] so whenever it happens you don't have to sit back and think. You know right then and there what to do, you don't have that luxury of reading through a manual or getting yourself up to speed because when that bell rings it's too late," said Sergeant Barker.