Photo By Ana Henderson | U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground Firefighter Raul Carlos (left) runs in full gear during...... read more read more
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When it comes to defending life and property, few jobs are more heroic than that of the firefighter.
At U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), the fire department is responsible for protecting hundreds of buildings and thousands of personnel and residents from flame.
Wherever a fire occurs, YPG fire fighters are ready for action. As firefighter Raul Carlos has learned, the job can be grueling: YPG fire fighters are typically on post for 48 consecutive hours followed by three days off.
The Somerton native and Kofa High School graduate has worked here since 2020, though never intended to make firefighting a career.
“I have another relative in the fire service, but I actually worked as an instructional aide in a school and was going to school to pursue teaching as a career,” he said.
After more than five years working as an instructional aide in the local school system and taking college classes, he ended up taking a year-long fire academy as an elective in college. At first only seeing it as a fun challenge, he ended up falling in love with the profession. After graduating form the academy, he worked for Rural Metro as a firefighter for nearly four years.
“A couple of my coworkers ended up leaving to work at YPG,” he recalled. “I had no idea YPG existed, and one of my coworkers reached out to encourage me to apply here.”
In addition to protecting the proving ground, the YPG Fire Department also frequently responds to calls outside the post’s boundaries, helping to battle nearby brush fires or giving assistance to local mutual aid partners at places like Martinez Lake or Senator Wash.
“One of the beauties of this career is that you never know where you’re going to go or what time you are going to get a call,” Carlos said.
For Carlos, firefighting is more than a job: it is a way of life. For the past three years, he has participated in on-post events such as the Army Birthday 5K run and the Patriot Day runs up the stairs at the Laguna Army Airfield tower to honor the final moments of the firefighters killed in the 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attacks in full turnout gear. Weighing more than 45 pounds, it consists of things like a firefighter’s multilayer turnout coat and pants, along with a helmet and breathing apparatus, along with peripheral gear like the firefighter’s flashlight.
“No matter how much hydration you have, you are going to feel it,” Carlos said of racing in the gear “It’s definitely challenging.”
YPG commander Col. John Nelson was so impressed with Carlos’ performance at the Army Birthday run that he intended to recognize him in front of eventgoers at the cake-cutting ceremony that followed the run. Because the run took place on Carlos’ day off, so he had already left post prior to the ceremony. Nelson vowed to find him later on, and when Carlos was on duty came to YPG Fire Station #1 with Command Sgt. Maj Mark Millare and surprised him with a challenge coin.
“I wasn’t really expecting it,” Carlos said. “I do it to participate and because I like to do it. I’m pretty shy about being in the spotlight.”
Carlos’ willingness to perform community engagements means he has donned on multiple occasions the Sparky the Fire Dog suit beloved by children of all ages.
“If I’m on duty, I’m usually the one to put on the Sparky suit. I always volunteer myself for it.”
Carlos intends to spend the remainder of his career at the proving ground.
“It’s the best four years I’ve had so far. I plan to be here for the full ride.”
| Date Taken: | 07.11.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.11.2024 07:49 |
| Story ID: | 475585 |
| Location: | YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 119 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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