FORT SMITH, Ark. - Flashing lights, blaring sirens, fire hoses gushing water at full-blast. These are the images most people associate with firefighters and emergency responders as a normal day-to-day operation.
For the Airmen of the Arkansas National Guard's 188th Fire Emergency Services Flight, emergency calls are just a small part of their jobs.
The FESF, informally dubbed as the fire department, also performs line standby for medical evacuation (medevac) flights, and provides emergency medical technician (EMT) on-call for medical emergencies, said Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Rickey Gabbard, chief of Fire Emergency Services at the 188th.
The number of calls varies on any given day and the FESF responded to approximately 600 calls in 2011, he said.
"I'm very proud of our 188th firefighters," said Air Force Lt. Col. Pete Gauger, 188th Mission Support Group commander. "From the youngest to the oldest, I've been absolutely impressed with each member's professionalism, dedication and skill."
Gabbard said in addition to the 188th FESF's primary mission of providing fire protection to military aircraft and installation facilities, it also responds to emergency calls for commercial and civilian aircraft as well as medical emergencies through a joint-use agreement with the Fort Smith Regional Airport.
"Senior Master Sgt. Gabbard has developed a strong partnership with the National Guard Bureau, resulting in new, cutting edge equipment as well as positioning the 188th for emerging, vital missions," Gauger said. "All this ensures the widest spectrum of protection for our unit, the Fort Smith Regional Airport and the state of Arkansas."
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam Johnson, a firefighter with the flight, said the FESF also performs a valuable safety role on base. They maintain smoke and fire alarm systems, and conduct building inspections to prevent fire or other safety hazards. Johnson said the FESF also conducts exit training for base personnel.
"If it's inside the airport's perimeter fence, we cover it," he said.
Gabbard said the Airmen of the FESF also augment Fort Smith through mutual aid agreements not related to the airport. He said the 188th FESF is the primary for the airfield and is trained to higher standards than the Federal Aviation Administration requires.
In addition to providing emergency response services, the 188th serves as a training site and furnishes instructors for the Air National Guard's Urban Search and Rescue teams.
The 188th boasts one of only two such training sites in the nation, Gabbard said.
They have been teaching the Rescue One course at the 188th since September 2011, and will begin teaching the Rescue Two course in March 2012. The FESF conducts the initial training and recertification of the USAR teams.
Gabbard said the primary objective of the USAR teams is designed around the concept of being the first to respond to an emergency predicament, assessing the situation, and beginning rescue operations. When response teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or other agencies arrive, which Gabbard said can take up to 72 hours, the Air National Guard teams will work in conjunction with them.
The USAR teams in the Air National Guard primarily serve in a domestic readiness role but Gabbard said that the teams could easily be utilized for an international emergency.
Rescue One is a two-week course covering rope rescues, vehicle extrication, high-angle/low-angle rescues and confined space rescues, he said. The Rescue Two course trains team members for trench rescues, building or structural collapse and heavy rescue.
He said the FESF is slated to provide training in the two courses to 240 students in 2012. That number is expected to increase to 300 students for 2013.
The FESF has also provided expertise and training for civilian fire departments throughout the state and region, including fire departments in Fayetteville, Ark., Rogers, Ark., and at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.
Gabbard said the 188th has also furnished training for multiple rural volunteer fire departments. The