BOISE, Idaho - Interagency training proves valuable.
Just ask Staff Sgts. Jeffrey Sawmiller and Damon Williams. The men were already 14 hours into their 24-hour shift at the Gowen Field Fire Department when they got a mutual aid call about 9 p.m. Sept. 23.
"A" Shift supervisor and assistant fire chief Ron Earl told the young firefighters assigned to the 124th Civil Engineer Squadron to suit up. Boise Fire Department needed help.
A call of that type doesn't happen very often, maybe three or four times a year, said Chief Master Sgt. Bill Mattravers, Gowen Field fire chief.
"Most of the time we might whip outside the main gate to put out a car fire or respond to a wild land fire. That's about it," Mattravers said.
This time was different. A house was burning in the South Cole area a few miles off base. Boise Fire's 2,000-gallon water tender was running low on water and trucks couldn't access the fire hydrant because it was further away from the flames than their hoses could reach.
A recent three-day drill with GFFD to assess inventory, training and equipment capabilities reminded Boise Fire Department firefighters on scene that a fully capable fire department was nearby. The call quickly went out through Ada County Dispatch.
Their silver proximity suits and "U.S. AIR FORCE" stenciled across the side of the 4,000-gallon water tender made it obvious to all that Sawmiller and Williams came from Gowen Field.
They responded quickly, enjoying the commute almost as much as they enjoyed being able to assist in the firefighting effort.
"It was nice to be able to go off base to help Boise Fire out, Sawmiller said.
Added Williams: "It was fun getting to run a few stoplights."
Within 15 minutes of receiving the call, Sawmiller, Williams and the Boise Fire Department were using water provided by Gowen Field to douse the blaze.
Both firefighters have worked full-time for the Gowen Field Fire Department for about two years. This was their first off-base fire response. According to Mattravers, military support of civilian firefighting efforts makes sense in a circumstance like this.
"In a nutshell: our equipment is prime, our skill set is a premium, our location is optimum, and our willingness is priceless," the chief said.