JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph firefighters trained local city firefighters on aircraft egress procedures for the T-1 A, T-6 Texan II and T-38 Talon aircraft Jan. 17 at the JBSA-Randolph Fire Department and flight line.
The training, similar to one held in July 2014 with the City of San Antonio Fire Department, taught local firefighters the proper approach, neutralization and clearance procedures for the three aircraft and how to efficiently and safely remove a pilot from the scene.
"The goal of today's training was to take our partners from off base in the smaller communities, and give them hands-on experience with the three aircraft we typically work with here at Randolph," Daniel Flores, JBSA-Randolph lead firefighter, said. "In the event a tragic accident happens where one of our aircraft falls into their districts, they're going to have a better understanding of what to do when they encounter the aircraft at a remote site or scene."
A main theme addressed during training was trading knowledge between JBSA-Randolph's and local civilian firefighters in order to support each other during a possible emergency.
"My job as a pilot is mostly a very solitary experience," Col. David Drichta, 12th Operations Group commander, said. "What I have gained is a great appreciation for the people that, unseen in my very solitary business, always have my back. You are those people, and I'm grateful."
"It's important for this training to take place between the military and civilian fire departments," Mark Tisdel, New Braunfels engineer paramedic, said. "It prepares both parties with working knowledge of the emergency procedures that come with each aircraft in the case of an emergency taking place outside of the military installation."
As a prior military firefighter, Tisdel said the experience served as a "refresher" for him and good working knowledge for his fellow emergency responders.
"The other civilian firefighters were able to take it all in and ask some really good questions to be better able to function if something were to happen in our community," he said.
"The training stressed the proper wear of personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus while working on a downed aircraft scenario," Flores said. "Firefighters were also taught how to work with ejection seats in the aircraft, whether within the aircraft and live or already fired."
"Our aircraft are flying over them constantly, so it gives them a good understanding of what's in their backyard," Flores said.
The training is tentatively scheduled to be an annual event.