Spangdahlem technical sergeant, base firefighters rush to staff sergeant's aid

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrea Knudson
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  The story may have ended differently if a Bitburg Annex housing resident had not purchased his dog a mere three months ago. Tech. Sgt. Dan Wolfrum, a structural craftsman from the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron operations flight, was walking his dog and a friend's through base housing at about 4:30 a.m. July 12 when he heard a noise. He said it sounded like plywood falling, and when he approached the housing unit, he could hear a smoke alarm.

"I noticed smoke coming out of the vent above the kitchen window," the technical sergeant said. "I tied the dogs to a pole and ran to the door. I started to beat on the door, but no one answered. I tried the handle and the door was unlocked. As soon as I opened the door, I was hit with a wall of smoke and immediately crouched to the floor. I crawled into the building a little way and yelled down the hall. All I heard was moaning and what sounded like a dog scratching."

Sergeant Wolfrum untied the dogs, ran back to his apartment and yelled to his wife to call the fire department. He grabbed his flashlight and went back to the smoking apartment. He started to crawl back inside, hoping the light would help him see anyone or anything. He yelled down the hallway, but didn't see anything. Again, all he heard was moaning. The thick smoke prevented him from venturing further into the house. He could not see more than a few inches in front of him. He went outside to catch his breathe.

He then returned to the house again, this time, making it to the bathroom where he opened the window to let some smoke out, thinking it would improve the visibility throughout the rest of the house. But it did not. He then crawled out of the unit and started ringing all the doorbells to get everyone else out of the building.

When three rescue units of eight firefighters from the 52nd CES fire department arrived, Sergeant Wolfrum briefed them on what had just occurred.

"Staff Sgt. Tyrone Oden served as the shift's battalion chief," said Master Sgt. Brett Hawk, assistant chief of special operations for the 52nd CES fire department and the shift's safety and accountability officer. "He was in charge of the scene, and Airman Daniel Maese and (civilian firefighter) Wihlem Sonnen were the first firefighters to enter the unit. They conducted the primary search and rescue operations as the fire attack team."

According to the QuickLook fire incident report from the squadron's fire emergency services flight, the two firefighters advanced a [water hose] into the unit and began to search for victims and to "knock" down the fire. They were forced to crawl because the high volume of smoke made visibility near zero and the extremely hot temperatures made standing unbearable - even in firefighter personal protective equipment. When searching the master bedroom, they discovered an unconscious, but breathing victim.

"Airman Maese and Marc Schumacher recovered the victim, taking him outside, while Mr. Sonnen continued to extinguish the fire with the (hose) from one of the (rescue) units. Ludwig Gruen was the pump operator," Sergeant Hawk said. "Matthias Meyer and Mr. Schumacher administered oxygen and treated the victim for shock."

According to the fire incident report, the firefighters reentered the unit to continue search and rescue operations, discovering a dog in the master bedroom. Staff Sgt. Matthew Peay performed chest compressions on the dog, but was unsuccessful. The dog died of smoke inhalation.

The victim, a staff sergeant assigned to the 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was transported to the Marienhausklinik in Bitburg via local German emergency responders. He was then taken by helicopter to Klinikum Mutterhaus der Borromaerinnen in Trier. He was released a few days later and is now in stable condition. His wife and two children were stateside the morning of the fire.

The victim's first sergeant, Master Sgt. Gary Russom, 52nd AMXS, said his unit is thankful to the firefighters for their rescue efforts.

"They did a fantastic job. We're fortunate this young man is alive," Sergeant Russom said. "And it looks like he's going to make a full recovery." The first sergeant also added that the German hospital professionals took good care of his Airman. With the recent transition on base to an extended care clinic, Air Force members and their families need to seek urgent care out in town.

"The system worked well. He was in critical condition and their life-saving techniques will ensure his full recovery," Sergeant Russom said.

The most probable cause of the fire was unattended cooking, according to the fire department.

"{A skillet} caught fire and ignited combustible material in the kitchen and then spread to the living room," said Master Sgt. Dean Case, 52nd CES assistant chief of fire prevention. "The firefighters responded and extinguished the fire quickly, therefore, limiting the smoke damage throughout the 32-unit military family housing complex." The master sergeant also added that the leading cause of house fires in America is unattended cooking.

Additionally, the fire incident report concluded that renter's insurance for personal property is important for Sabers residing in the dorms, in military housing or off base.

Col. Darryl Roberson, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, is thankful Sergeant Wolfrum was nearby that morning and reacted so quickly.

"I truly believe in my heart that Sergeant Wolfrum saved this man's life," Colonel Roberson said. The commander gave Sergeant Wolfrum a Wingman coin July 16, an honor bestowed only to those Sabers whose efforts are representative of a good Wingman.