Dover firefighters deploy to Haiti

Published Jan. 21, 2010
By 2nd Lt. Abigail Wise
436th AW Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Six 436th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters volunteered for a six month deployment to Haiti in support of Operation Unified Response.

The firefighters will be part of a larger team of Air Force firefighters deploying to assist relief efforts in Haiti.

"Within one hour after I received the telephone tasking from [Headquarters Air Mobility Command] for six firefighters, we had contacted all on and off duty firefighters," said Rodney Coleman, 436th CES deputy fire chief. "I had no less than 15 volunteers who said they would deploy right away; Senior NCOs, NCOs, Airmen - first termers fresh from tech school and civilian firefighters also eager to help with Haiti humanitarian relief."

One of those called was Staff Sgt. Thomas Moyer, 436th CES firefighter. "I was on leave in the local area when they called, and I said I'd do it," Sergeant Moyer said.

Sergeant Moyer's enthusiasm was matched by others who also volunteered to go. One Airman was on leave in Florida when he received the call and bought a plane ticket home so that he could go on this deployment, according to Sergeant Moyer.

That enthusiasm stretches to when the firefighters return, as there is the possibility of other deployments.

"Some of our military volunteers emphasized that they still want to deploy on their normal [Air and Space Expeditionary Force] rotation in addition to the Haiti recovery effort," Mr. Coleman said.

Before the firefighters could deploy to Haiti, the 436th CES Readiness Flight had to ensure the firefighters were fully trained and met the deployment requirements. Before any deployment, Airmen have to process through several units and agencies, from the logistics readiness squadron and the medical group, to the legal office and the installation deployment officer, said 1st Lt. Ross Strebig, 436th CES Readiness and Emergency Management Flight chief.

All of the necessary agencies came in during the holiday weekend to get the firefighters ready and out the door, Lieutenant Strebig said. "When all was said and done, by about 5 p.m. on Monday (Jan. 18) our volunteers were prepped and ready to head for Haiti."

"We cannot say enough about how ready these volunteers were to assist the effort and how urgently all the support agencies worked to ensure these volunteers were out the door as quickly as possible to join the work in Haiti," the lieutenant said.

The firefighters also couldn't have departed for Haiti so quickly without support from their families and friends.

"Our hearts go out to their families, wives and young children for their sacrifice as their spouses deploy out of cycle on such short notice," Mr. Coleman said.

While knowing that their families are safe and taken care of at Dover AFB, the firefighters headed off with one purpose in mind.

"I'm going there to help," said Sergeant Moyer. "We haven't been told our exact mission yet, but we all volunteered anyway, because we want to help."