MCB Fire Department responds to local fire

Photo By Lance Cpl. Kris Daberkoe | A firefighter with the Marine Corps Base Fire Department carries fire hoses and attachments used to fight a fire at the Daiwa Electrical Warehouse Oct. 26. Chatan is located next to Camp Foster. Firefighters with the MCB Fire Department and the Chatan Fire Department contained and stopped the fire, while preventing injuries to building occupants. Firefighters with the MCB Fire Department conduct training exercises with the host-nation fire departments to rapidly and effectively respond to emergencies, said Scott Minakami, fire chief, MCB Fire Department.  

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S. D. BUTLER, AICHI, JAPAN

10.26.2011

Story by Cpl. Aaron Hostutler 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S. D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan - Marine Corps Base Fire Department responded to a fire in Chatan, located outside of Camp Foster, at the request of the Japanese police Oct. 26.

One building was completely destroyed and another badly damaged by the flames. The fire was in Diawa Electrical Warehouse, an electronic warehouse off-base. The fire spread to surrounding apartment complexes, but residents were evacuated in time.

MCB firefighters were providing support for the Chatan Fire Department, according to Harry W. Farmer, Jr., deputy assistant chief of staff with G-3/5, MCB Camp Butler.

"Our crews worked side-by-side with host-nation firefighters. Our trucks supported theirs, and their trucks supported ours," said Scott Minakami, the MCB Fire Department fire chief.

The MCB Fire Department dispatched two fire engines and three support vehicles. Camp Foster's Provost Marshal's Office also responded with two vehicles, which helped control traffic and kept nearby civilians at a safe distance. The response demonstrated the success of a mutual-aid agreement with Chatan.

Throughout the year, the Butler Fire Department conducts training exercises with fire departments from prefectures near military installations to prepare for actual events like this.

"We have a great working relationship with the local fire departments near installations. [The] response was a textbook definition of how well that relationship works," Minakami said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

• Date Taken: 10.26.2011
• Date Posted: 10.26.2011 23:07
• Story ID: 79061
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S. D. BUTLER, AICHI, JP