Rescue from above, below, tight spaces or anywhere else

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany-- Airman First Class Martel Hunt, Herr Siegfried Mertiniet, Airman Jason Smith and Herr Gerd Mueller, 52nd Fire and Emergency Services Flight hook a simulated victim on a litter to a rope designed to lower it to safety as part a High Angle Rescue exercise April 18, 2008. The exercise is part of Rescue Technician Level 1 training that several of the firefighters received to enhance their ability to respond to emergencies. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Logan A. Tuttle. (Released)

Rescue from above, below, tight spaces or anywhere else

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany-- Airman Jason Smith, 52nd Fire and Emergency Services Flight rappels to save a simulated victim during a High Angle Rescue exercise April 18, 2008. The exercise is part of Rescue Technician Level 1 training that several of the firefighters received to enhance their ability to respond to emergencies. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Logan A. Tuttle. (Released)

Rescue from above, below, tight spaces or anywhere else

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany-- Airman First Class John Wright, Airman Jason Smith and Airman First Class Martel Hunt, 52nd Fire and Emergency Services Flight strap a simulated victim to a litter as part of a High Angle Rescue exercise April 18, 2008. The exercise is part of Rescue Technician Level 1 training that several of the firefighters received to enhance their ability to respond to emergencies. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Logan A. Tuttle. (Released)

Rescue from above, below, tight spaces or anywhere else

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany-- Airman First Class John Wright, Airman Jason Smith ,Airman First Class Martel Hunt and Herr Siegfried Mertiniet, 52nd Fire and Emergency Services Flight strap a simulated victim to a litter as part of a High Angle Rescue exercise April 18, 2008. The exercise is part of Rescue Technician Level 1 training that several of the firefighters received to enhance their ability to respond to emergencies. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Logan A. Tuttle. (Released)

Rescue from above, below, tight spaces or anywhere else

Published May 1, 2008
By Senior Airman Logan Tuttle
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- In an effort to boost the capability of their responses, the 52nd Fire and Emergency Services Flight recently underwent Rescue Technician 1 training, which included Water Rescue Awareness, Advanced Automotive Vehicle Extrication, High/Low Angle Rescues, and Confined Space Rescue. The firefighters will have to use this training in everyday operations, ranging from simple car accidents to rescuing personnel working in one of the many confined spaces located on the base, according to Staff Sgt. Matthew Colbert, one of the fire department's instructors for the course. Both Sergeant Colbert and Master Sgt. Sergio Gil, Assistant Chief of Training, say have had to use some of the techniques, such as vehicle extrication, frequently in their careers.

According to Sergeant Gil, only about 10 percent of Air Force firefighters are qualified at the Rescue Technician 1 level, but with this training about 30 percent of Spangdahlem's are, and they said they appreciate the importance of it. "I think in the future, this training will be helpful for car accidents and other rescue situations. Also, I believe this training will come in handy off duty if we are ever caught in any of these situations," said Airman Jason Smith, one of the members that attended the class.

With both Air Force members and German contractors present, the fire department learned what Sergeant Gil described as removing pieces of a vehicle from around a victim carefully, as well as using ropes and equipment to rescue personnel trapped or stuck on electrical towers, tall buildings, or mountainous areas.

Despite the technical nature, he said the differences in experience between both groups weren't discernable. "We have a great working relationship with our off-base brothers and sisters and have participated in many exercises and actual emergencies together," he added.

To ensure everyone was trained with minimal cost, the Spangdahlem fire department enlisted the help of Ramstein Air Base's USAFE Fire Academy Cadre, which saved approximately $ 40,000 dollars. Sergeant Colbert said he felt that it only made sense for them to take the hour to come up and give Spangdahlem's department the training they needed. "The real value gained comes in the form of the acquired skills obtained, not to mention the dividend that will ultimately pay off for the Spangdahlem and Air Force community in general when these skills are put to the test during real world events," " I honestly don't think you can put a price on a life or lives saved." Sergeant Gil said.