TIght fit: Maintenance, GFD get close during rescue training Published Aug. 25, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Ben Mota 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Right out of a scene from the television series Dirty Jobs with an added mix of Rescue 911; Grissom Airmen put their skills to the test demonstrating their preparedness to rescue another Airmen. Members of the 434th Maintenance Squadron teamed up with Grissom Fire Department firefighters for a fuel-cell extraction exercise to demonstrate their ability to respond and execute a confined space rescue from a KC-135R Stratotanker fuel cell here, Aug 10. "The purpose of the extraction was to ensure that we're able to properly follow our response plan and effectively remove an incapacitated or unconscious person from the fuel tank we are working in," said Master Sgt. Mary Brooks, 434th MXS fuel cell supervisor. The annual exercise calls for maintenance and first responders to coordinate efforts in an attempt to rescue a simulated victim from a narrow inner opening to an aircraft fuel cell. KC-135s have 16 fuel tanks, called cells, throughout the aircraft for inflight refueling. "Coordination with the fire department is important so that first responders can have the quickest response time possible; even a minute could make a big difference," explained Brooks. "If someone goes down in the fuel tank, we have to get them out because their lives are in serious danger." During the exercise Brooks ensured personnel involved knew their responsibilities. "Maintenance crews are responsible for notifying emergency responders, initiating emergency extraction response and demonstrating their ability to provide proper self aid and buddy care in a timely manner," she said. When work is being done to a fuel cell, mandatory safety measurements are required to ensure safety of the maintenance team. "We always have a minimum of three people whenever a fuel cell is open," said Brooks. "There is one individual in the tank to do maintenance, another stationed outside the tank called the assistant, and then you have the third person who is referred to as a runner." During this exercise, a maintainer, simulated by a mannequin, was working in an aft-body fuel cell while an assistant stood by to ensure his wellbeing. "The assistant can't always see the person in the tank, so you have to hear the person working and moving around to ensure everything is okay," said Brooks. "If things get quiet, that can indicate something is wrong. "From outside the tank you can hear the person moving around and tools being used," she added. "The assistant also does periodic voice checks to ensure the member is okay." After determining there was an issue with a maintainer inside the aircraft, the exercise assistant sent the runner for help before using a photo ionization detector to determine if air inside the fuel cell was safe for a rescuer to enter the fuel cell. A PID measures the level of oxygen and lower explosive limit to tell rescuers whether or not they are safe to enter the fuel cell. "If the levels are too high, the probability of an explosion increases," said Brooks. "We do a 30-second reading, and during the 30-second reading we can't enter the fuel cell; we have to know we have a safe level before we can enter." When the fuel cell was determined safe to enter, the team successfully extracted the simulated maintainer and began proper first aid. "After extracting the unresponsive Airmen, [the maintainers] are responsible for checking all vital signs and then performing CPR, if needed, until first responders arrive," she said. Upon arrival, GFD first responders determined if the scene was secure and then took over patient care, said Tim McMahon, GFD assistant fire chief. "The exercise was extremely successful," added McMahon. "The team did a great job of getting the patient out in a timely manner and then provided the appropriate patient care." "This training is one of the first things new Airmen learn," concluded Brooks. "Safety always comes first because people's lives are at stake." The 434th Air Refueling Wing is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
