An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 12, 2007

Oregon Army National Guard Trains with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Firefighters

By Capt. Michael S. Braibish Oregon National Guard Public Affairs

Sixty soldiers of the Oregon Army National Guard learned fundamental firefighting and rescue techniques from the experts at the Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Training Center. Under the keen watch of experienced first responders the soldiers spent Mar. 10, the first of two training days, developing skills that will prove valuable in the aftermath of a disaster.

The training proved educational for the soldiers, teaching them how they can enhance the capabilities of those first on the scene.

"What I really gained is an understanding of how we're going to work jointly in a mass casualty setting," said Sgt. Thomas Pettit of Goldendale, Wash., "especially how our forces are going to cooperate and work together as a joint task force, where we're going to fit into the division of labor and be most valuable and work as a team."

As they learned the fundamental skills of firefighting and rescue operations, they also had the chance to gain practical experience.

"I had some theories on how to do some stuff but here you're actually getting a little practical on it, so when it comes down to it you have an idea of what you're going to do," said Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Courtaintharp of Estacada, Ore.

The training not only builds skills, it brings familiarity to the firefighters and soldiers. Perhaps more importantly it builds trust, an essential element in a cohesive response to a disaster whether it's natural or manmade.

"It gives us a little more understanding of the relationship between our side and the civilian side," said Courtaintharp. "So now we have an idea of where we can cross over a little bit. We get information from both sides and we can work a little closer together, a little more smoothly.

That trust and experience is appreciated by the first responders as well.

"When I see these guys on a call, if we do have something major that comes down, I know they know how to do this," said engineer Jeff Mather of TVFR. "I know they have got at least a general idea and they can take care of a little car fire, they can help me with the hose if we're on a house fire and were a little shorthanded."

The idea for training soldiers with first responders was born out of frustration some of the Guard members experienced in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Cutshall, who is also a seasoned firefighter from Eugene, deployed to New Orleans with the 141st BSB in September of 2005. While there, Cutshall said, he and fellow soldiers felt some frustration at not being able to help the first responders as much as they hoped to. He and fellow soldier 2nd Lt. William Croker, who is also a firefighter, worked with the TVFR to coordinate the training.

Their goal was to make sure the Oregon National Guard expanded their ability to serve with first responders. Pvt. Josh Meng, a soldier from Sandy, is optimistic this training accomplished that goal.

"We're learning how to work with the civilian side, the civilian sector. Hopefully that will enable us to help out the populations around us a lot faster," said Meng.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Air National Guard Master Sgt. David Torres, Tech. Sgt. Michael Barkman, Senior Master Sgt. Vitaliy Gorbachyk, Staff Sgt. Eduardo Rosado, Staff Sgt. Richard Pyrdol and Capt. Jeffrey McDonald, all members of the 103rd Airlift Wing’s Force Support Squadron, stand together while serving the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations mission Sept. 15, 2025. The group fills various roles within AFMAO to ensure respect and dignity for the nation’s fallen.
Connecticut Guard Squadron Assists Mortuary Mission at Dover Air Force Base
By Capt. Jennifer Kaprielian, | Sept. 17, 2025
EAST GRANBY, Conn. - During the last five months, Connecticut National Guard members of the 103rd Force Support Squadron have been deployed to a uniquely impactful tasking at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where they are...

A New York Army National Guard UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter hovers above The Plain at the United States Military Academy at West Point on August 28, 2025 as Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) fast rope down to the ground during a capabilities demonstration for cadets. The exercise was the culmination of training that Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion had been conducting with members of the 101st Airborne in June, July, and August
New York Guard Aviators Show Skills During West Point Demonstration
By Eric Durr, | Sept. 17, 2025
WEST POINT, N.Y.  - Three months of New York Army National Guard aircrews training with the active-component Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division, the Army’s air assault experts, wrapped up Aug. 28 with a capabilities...

Kosovo Forces Regional Command-East’s (KFOR RC-E) 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) aircrew members trained alongside KFOR RC-E British forces in hot and cold load operations at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Aug. 25, 2025. The exercise familiarizes multinational soldiers with UH-60 Black Hawk procedures and prepares them for potential emergency MEDEVAC missions in the region.
Louisiana Guard, UK Soldiers’ Training Builds Readiness in Kosovo
By Sgt. Laura Bradley, | Sept. 17, 2025
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — On the surface, they come from different worlds, one a U.K. combat medic on her first operational deployment, the other a seasoned U.S. Army flight paramedic with hundreds of flight hours under her...