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Scott firefighter organizes challenge in Haiti

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew Davis
  • 375th AMW
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti --  In a recent Firefighter Challenge in Haiti, Joint Task Force-Haiti servicemembers and Haitian firefighters raced through a firefighting skills course in a morning of tough competition.

Two-person teams moved through 10 challenges, which included a ladder climb, simulated litter carry, wood chop and the use of a high-pressure fire hose.

Event organizer, Master Sgt. Bradley Beaty, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter deployed from Scott Air Force Base, said the skills race, which took him one week to put together, generated a high degree of interest. Sergeant Beaty said he initially expected about 10 teams to sign up, but interest was more than double that.

He said there were 20 teams of U.S. servicemembers as well as six non-competing teams of Haitian firefighters who wanted to test their skills and endurance on the course. Sergeant Beaty credits his team of Airmen with helping him develop the course which required a little imagination.

"I've put on similar competitions, but this time, we didn't have all the actual fire-fighting equipment," said Sergeant Beaty. "There's an actual piece of training equipment for the wood chop called the 'Keiser block' and a sled which we had to build ourselves for the competition."

The day's events also included demonstrations from Air Force firefighters and Haitian firefighters.

Senior Airman Aaron Guillen and his crew chief, Staff Sgt. Will Hock, both firefighters deployed from Beale AFB, Calif., demonstrated how to properly and safely navigate through the course.

Both firefighters, however, did it with full gear including helmet, air mask and tank, fire retardant coat, pants and boots--a condition not required of the race participants.

Airman Guillen said the competition was a welcomed break.

"We're out here to have a good time and burn off some steam." Airman Guillen said. "It's a good, friendly competition within the joint task force."

Haitian firefighters also demonstrated how to properly control a broken and unsecured charged line, which is a fire hose pressurized with water.

Once the water flow was turned on, the unsecured 100-foot hose flung around wildly. A Haitian firefighter in full gear demonstrated how to jump on the base of the line and crawl his way up to the uncontrolled end to finally secure it.

Sergeant Beaty says events like the Firefighter Challenge give his team, most of whom have been assisting in Haiti since the earthquake, a welcomed break.

"All of these guys helped with the recovery at Hotel Montana, and we worked in the University of Miami's hospital tent near here. We've also worked with the Haitian Airport Firefighters," Sergeant Beaty said. "Firefighting is the same no matter what language you speak. It's been great."

Maj. Gen. Simeon Trombitas, JTF-Haiti commanding general, presented carved stone prizes created by a local Haitian artist.

The race winners were from the 65th Military Police Company, deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C., Spcs. James Murray, and Joseph Dorman.