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Grissom firefighters climb high to protect base, community

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind --  It's been said the good guys always take the high road, but some of Grissom's best go even higher to save lives.

Sometimes dangling over a hundred feet up from a small rope, more than a dozen of the Grissom Fire Department's 49 firefighters are certified rescue trained, allowing them to conduct rescues from high angles, low angles, in confined spaces and from under collapsed structures.

"Grissom is surrounded by a lot of unique structures like water towers and confined space work areas that can be extremely dangerous, especially if someone is caught with a medical emergency," said Mark Fackler, GFD deputy fire chief. "If someone was to get stuck on our radar tower or air traffic control tower, we have the capability to save them."

That capability is not as common as one might think as the nearest fire department with the ability to carry out such rescues is in Kokomo, Indiana, more than 20 miles away from Grissom. The GFD also has the only hazardous materials team in Miami County.

While their main mission is to support the flying mission at Grissom, when other local fire departments request their support, especially when a life is teetering in the balance, the GFD can be called upon to support through mutual aid agreements, said Fackler.

Both the GFD's high-wire skills and their mutual aid were called upon last week to rescue a man trapped in a tree.

"A guy, just off base, had climbed 40-45 feet up into a tree trying to get his cat down, and got himself stuck," said Fackler. "We were able to go up and get him."

To employ such skills, members of the GFD rescue squad undergo specialized training at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.

"It's a very intense secondary school that adds onto the basic firefighter course," explained the deputy chief. "They spend a lot of time knot tying, rigging, setting up of harnesses and rappelling.

"They also get more in-depth training on aircraft, confined space and structural collapse rescues," he added, pointing out the business of saving lives is a team sport. "Everyone's got a vital role to play, not just the guy doing the rescue - there are the guys holding the ropes, setting up the harnesses and watching over things to make sure everyone comes back safe."

However, the training doesn't end with their time in Texas. GFD firefighters routinely train on base to keep their proficiency.

They also don't keep that training to themselves, as they've trained local government agencies.

"Last time we trained with Kokomo Police Department SWAT team as they were putting together a team that conducts high-angle entries into buildings," recalled Fackler. "I think we're going to partner with them again really soon."

Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units and a Marine Corps Reserve communication detachment.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer