FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan -- Ready. Aim. Fire. Afghan national police have been receiving training on security tactics in southern Afghanistan for some time now with programs like the Legion Academy in Maiwand District and the Shah Wali Kot Police Academy. But now their skills are expanding to encompass another vital role in security for the people of southern Afghanistan.
April 1 marked the first ever graduation of the 5th Stryker Brigade's Firefighting Academy, located near the Pakistan border on FOB Spin Boldak. On that day 10 ANP stood proud with the knowledge and skills to protect their people from not only the insurgent threat but also dangerous scenarios such as blazing fires, extreme car accidents and severely injured casualties. The students attended eight days of training where they learned how to operate a fire truck and high-pressure hose, as well as how to maintain the truck and its equipment. Training also included first aid, vehicle extrication, all while maintaining security of the site.
"They really hit the ground the running and took the training seriously," said Staff Sgt. Mark Covington, from Gibson, N.C., assigned to the 402nd Brigade Support Battalion, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. "I was very impressed with their ability to learn quickly, and grasp the concepts of the training instead of just going through the motions."
Much of the training was hands on, giving students a chance to get comfortable with the equipment they were using. The first day at the simulation range the high pressure hose gave them trouble as they struggled to keep the hose from flying around. The instructors rushed in and, once the dust cleared, gave some pointers and sent the firefighting team out again to master the hose. From then on, the team was able to put out the flames with a hard-earned sense of control and skill.
The officer in charge of training was 1st Lt. Angelo Palacios, from Mongmong, Guam, assigned to the 402nd BSB, 5/2 ID (SBCT). Palacios said the students' ability to work as a team shows the training is working as intended.
"I have complete confidence that they'll be able to apply what they've learned here back in their own towns and villages," he said. "They work together well and really showed great skill with what they've learned. We've been especially impressed with Blackbeard [Abdul Rashid]. He really shined above the rest and showed us he's completely capable of not only applying his new skills, but leading his men well."
Rashid, known as "Blackbeard" because of his distinctive facial hair, was the Distinguished Honor Graduate. He's also the commander of the firefighting team. He said he is truly grateful to learn firefighting and looks forward to helping his people and his land with his new skills.
"My country has been at war for a very long time," Rashid said. "We have a need to learn new skills to help our people stay safe and well. This training is exactly what we need, and we all have confidence now that we can handle ourselves, and our problems on our own, and help our people, towns, and villages."
These men won't have powerful hydraulic machinery to aid them. They were trained with simple tools, the old fashioned methods powered completely by the men themselves. It takes a greater physical toll but they are completely capable. They spent an entire day just learning how to pry the doors off of a wrecked vehicle while being careful not to hurt anyone inside. They also learned how to treat severe wounds, apply tourniquets and administer CPR to casualties.
Essentially, the training exists to build a fire fighting team. But the training goes beyond just fire emergencies. Rashid says his team knows how important the first aid training is and is glad they will be able to apply it in any situation where it's necessary.
"It's satisfying to know when these guys leave here and go back to their villages, they're taking with them the knowledge and skills to keep their villagers safe," says Palacios. "I look forward to graduating the next team of firefighters."
| Date Taken: | 04.03.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2010 05:48 |
| Story ID: | 47631 |
| Location: | SPIN BOLDAK, AF |
| Web Views: | 991 |
| Downloads: | 800 |
This work, Building a firefighting team in southern Afghanistan, by Justin Graff, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
