Fire department gets additional hazardous training

Members of the 932nd Civil Engineering Squadron, 932nd Airlift Wing, took Air Force Reservists of the fire department out to the deserted range and put them through a stressful, heat-challenged environment to look at their hazardous material spill response skills. This annual event allows incident managers the opportunity to mitigate the situation from afar with binoculars (in this case looking at a simulated ammonia spill on a railcar), and then decide on how to send in a team of firemen by checking his emergency response guide book. While the team of two fire fighters in oversized suits using oxygen were on the move going to tackle the problem, another team of two in hazmat suits were standing by to help rescue them if necessary. In addition, spotters for each person in gear were closely watching for safety issues like breathing properly and tripping hazards. The summer heat took its toll and drenched each participant with sweat, but the entire team was in great spirits and took care of each other during the weekend training, checking vital signs and providing plenty of water at the site. The 932nd Airlift Wing is an Air Force Reserve Command unit located in Illinois. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Stan Paregien)