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Kingsley Field Fire Department Trains Local Firefighters

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Daniel Reed,
  • 173rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Kingsley Field Fire Department conducted F-15 familiarization training with local Fire District One emergency personnel at Kingsley Field this month.

Kingsley Field Fire Department and Klamath Falls Fire District One have a mutual aid agreement to work together during emergencies on and off base. To fulfill this agreement, both agencies require familiarity between the two departments.

Matthew Gray, the Kingsley assistant chief of training, took on the task of setting up the training exercise.

“The biggest goal for this training is to create comradery and working together amongst the groups,” said Gray. “Familiarity with Kingsley Field operations and learning District One’s capabilities, as well as how to piece them together, will be what solidifies our units for future operations.”

Training was held at the Kingsley Field firehouse twice daily for three days using a training jet and localized pilot equipment in a classroom environment. Kingsley Fire Department personnel led hands-on training covering procedures for pilot removal and recovery and the potential hazards. Gray provided classroom instruction on the equipment used by the pilots.

Gray said bringing the two departments together for training provided much-needed rapport and bridged the knowledge gap not readily established during emergencies. “It is hard to get to know district personnel during calls as the patients take priority, or the fire does.”

Kingsley Field Fire Department has participated in training with District One off-base, but this is the first course in several years covering aircraft-specific issues.

Kingsley Field personnel showcased their skills and established relationships between departments while improving communication and crosstalk. The three-day course provided training to 50 personnel, and the plan is to branch out to other departments across the area.

“Training went fantastic,” said Gray. “In the future, I would love to be able to do additional training Klamath County-wide, so if there is an incident out further, they would know what to look for as far as dangers go.”