JBER firefighters earn Air Force award for second year running

  • Published
  • By Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Fire Department was recently recognized as the 2010 best large fire department of the year for the Air Force.

It is the second year in a row the fire department has garnered this award.
JBER Fire Chief David Donan said he found out about the award through a phone call from his commander. He said the award was a product of the hard work by the great team he leads.

"We have a good blend of youth and experience," he said. "We have a group
of hard workers and a lot of experience here."

Donan said having a good team is vital at JBER because of the challenging mission here. He said it is a mission which can change on a dime depending on the season.
"We have an outstanding and varied fire-protection mission here and it gives us a lot of opportunities to excel," he said. "Our firefighters don't come to work and be bored. There are many chances for them to apply their skills. They get a chance to do and see things here that you can only read about at other bases."

This is the second duty assignment for Senior Airman Darren Henderson, a JBER firefighter driver and operator. He said he was excited when he heard about the fire department earning the award.
"It's a great feeling to know we were recognized as the best in the Air Force," he said. "It is so rewarding to be part of a team that has accomplished that."

The Airman said he has been a lot busier here then he was at his previous assignment at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

"The daily call volume here is five times more than what I saw in a week there," he said. "It is because of the wide variety of missions we fill."

Hone, who has been a firefighter for 28 years, said there is one area in the fire department that sets the table for all of the group's success.

"I think what sets us apart is our excellent training program," he said. "We have without a doubt the most in-depth and comprehensive training program that I have ever been associated with."

He said there is a real focus on limiting the class room training as much as possible and maximizing the hands-on training.

That training proved vital during the response following the crash of the C-17 Globemaster III in July of last year.

"It was pretty obvious from the start that it was bad scenario," Hone said. "The training kicked in and it was obvious that we trained everyday for situations of that nature."
The chief said a wing-level exercise which occurred about three weeks before the incident covered a similar accident. He said it was extremely helpful in working with other base agencies.

Henderson said he was thankful for his training on that day. He said it helped to deal with some of the disturbing images he saw and helped him to complete his mission.
"Sometimes, you would wonder why we do so much training on some things, but on that day it seemed like we had done it a hundred times," he said. "Some of the stuff we saw no amount of training could prepare you for, but we came together and got through it."
The Airman said he is proud of how all his firefighter teammates performed that day.
"That was a hard day because you never want to see that," he said "The only thing I would change is that it happened. I think the way we performed as a team was perfect."
Hone said firefighting is a dangerous profession. He said each firefighter needs to be able to trust each other and know they are going to do the right thing at all times.
"Accountability and integrity, right down to our youngest guy, is vitally important," he said. "Don't just say you can do it, but absolutely know you can do it."

He said his firefighters also have to be professional at all times and not add to the troubles their customers may be having.

"People don't call us when they are having their best day," he said. "They call us when something has gone very wrong. They want someone that is going to show up on scene and make it better."