Holloman firefighters blaze through national competition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Extinguishing the flames is only a fraction of the job that comes with being a firefighter.

Many don't realize the strength and stamina necessary to pull someone out of a burning building, drag a 40-pound hose up flights of stairs or ax through a rooftop to save a life.

Although they don't have to perform these tasks every day, five of Holloman's firefighters are sure that if they are called upon, they can do it.

The five-man team recently put their strength and stamina to the test when they competed in the 2009 Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge in Las Vegas, Nev., and proved they were among the best by placing in the top 10 percent of more than 600 teams.

"This competition was a reminder that firefighting is a physically demanding job," said team member Staff Sgt. Michael Jones. "We go days here where we don't get calls. We do exercises ... but when you go out there and you lift this hose and you run the stairs and you hit the hammer, it's a reminder that it's all stuff we may have to do any given day."

The team was made up of Sergeant Jones, Lieutenant Rick Adler, Kristopher Thomas, Christopher Dunn and Airman 1st Class Ramon Betancourt, all firefighters with the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron. They competed with fire departments from all over the world, both civilian and military from all branches.

The annual competition was made up of five demanding events designed to replicate the tasks firefighters must perform while on duty, and it's all done in full bunker gear.

"Everything in the competition is something that is job related," said Lieutenant Adler. "This is what we do for a living and we're trying to be the best we can at it."

Because it was their first time competing nationally, in what many call "the toughest two minutes in sports," they did not expect to win first place, but were up for the personal challenge.

Lieutenant Adler said it is not only a competition to see who's going to win ... it's also against yourself and against the clock to see if you are getting better and to push yourself to always try to beat that time.

"We went in not so much in the mindset that we're going to win this thing, but we're going to put on a good show and we did that," added Sergeant Jones.

The team competed in a relay event, where each person from the team completed one event and handed over the baton to the next person for the next event. Just before the competition, they said, the adrenaline kicked in.

"While you're getting ready to go out there ... you're nervous and you don't want to make a mistake, but once you get out there, the rush kicks in," said Mr. Thomas. "The buzzer goes off and your guy takes off up the stairs and you just think 'It's gonna be my turn, it's gonna be my turn,'and then you take off."

Outside the actual obstacle course, the team had the opportunity to learn from the best of the best, while also meeting others in the worldwide cadre of firefighters.

"They say the fire department is like a brotherhood and you really feel that way when your there," said Sergeant Jones. "You're competing and you're trying to beat all these guys, but at the same time your automatically just good friends with everybody."

Three of the five firefighters who made up the team competed twice earlier this year where they became the first firefighters from Holloman to qualify to compete in Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge, but they're sure they will not be the last.

"Hopefully we're setting the example for these young guys out there," said Mr. Adler. "I'm the old man on the rig and I know I can do it. I'm showing it out here in the competition and I'm hoping [they'll] step up and do it too."

As for this team, they are confident that they will only improve from here.

"Next year is only going to get better," said Mr. Thomas. "Guaranteed, by next year, all of our times will be better."

The team wants to extend their gratitude to the 49th Fighter Wing commander, Col. Jeff Harrigian, and the base fire chief, Chief Wayne Mello, for allowing them this opportunity.

"Without their support, we wouldn't have made it at all," said Mr. Thomas.