944th FW reservist receives F-35 firefighter training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Louis Vega Jr.
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZ. --  Local fire departments gathered Thursday to receive training on F-35 crisis procedures in case of an emergency here and in the surrounding areas of Luke Air Force Base.

Sixteen local fire departments including Avondale, Buckeye, Buckeye Valley Fire District, Daisy Mountain, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Peoria, Rural Metro, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Tolleson, and Wittman will receive training through April 25, 2015.

Kenneth Heng, Goodyear firefighter and 944th Medical Squadron medical technician reservist, is no stranger to Air Force firefighter training and was one of the firefighters participating in the training.

"As firefighters we train for what we hope will never happen," said Heng. "The more we train, the more comfortable all will feel if an emergency happens and the smoother the call goes."

Tech. Sgt. Heng came into the 944th FW in September 2003 as a firefighter before transitioning to MDS and becoming the NCOIC of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians program with the 944th MDS. Heng was also a U.S. Navy reservist Damage Controlman (firefighter), before entering the Air Force Reserves.

Thursday's training consisted of a brief power point presentation to discuss the hazards of the aircraft and pilot rescue.  After the briefing, firefighters were taken to an F-35 to look at the areas discussed in the briefing as part of the hands on portion.

"The training went through a familiarization of the F-35 and some basic information that we need to consider when responding to a crash," continued Heng. "Knowing and being familiar with some of the immediate dangers is essential."

Mr. Steven Kinkade, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant fire chief for training, organized the training with support from the 61st Fighter Squadron.

"The training has provided our off-base community partners with what they need to know if they arrive at a downed F-35 prior to Luke AFB responders getting to the scene," said Kinkade.

The training was conducted to familiarize the local departments on the associated hazards with the F-35 and prepare them for an emergency in their response area if an aircraft were to crash outside of the base.