Eagle BELVOIR
CYS Color Run Pages B1 and A7
June 14, 2018
www.belvoireagleonline.com
Firefighters from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and Fort Belvoir train together on extinguishing an aircraft fire at Davison Army Airfield, June 7.
A Fort Belvoir Fire Department foam truck blankets a large pit fire with water during training at Davison Army Airfield.
Belvoir, JBM-HH fire departments train on Davison Story, photos by Paul Lara Smoke rose into the sky at Davison Army Airfield Thursday, as firefighters from Fort Belvoir and Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall practiced the fundamentals of suppressing aircraft fires. An aircraft fire simulator sat on the north-most edge of the tarmac, with a grey fuselage, landing gear, one wing and a turbo prop engine. Smoke began rising from the tail section, where the auxiliary power unit is housed, and, seconds later, flames were shooting out of the APU. Four firefighters brought a charged hose closer to the jet and sprayed water on the tail. This aircraft fire simulator can simulate fires with the power unit, the engine and cabin. Scott Ross, Fort Belvoir Fire Department assistant chief of
training, said the joint training was timed to capitalize on the cool Virginia weather and to sharpen critical skills. “This is a lot of stuff to ensure that you stay on top of your fundamentals,” Ross said. “An aviation crash is something that’s high risk, but low frequency. We need to make sure that we’re up on the game and making sure we’re ready to respond.” Ross said that aircraft fires require a faster response than structure fires. “With an engine fire, we have about 90 seconds before it penetrates the fuselage, and then the passenger’s chance of survival is slim to none.” The crews also trained in suppressing large fuel fires with foam trucks.
More photos, page A6
A Belvoir Fire Department foam truck uses both high-capacity nozzles to knock down a large pit fire during training at Davison Army Airfield last week.
Save the dates! All these events are open to everyone. Army Birthday! Today, 10 a.m. Garrison HQ, Flagler Road Lt. Gen. Leslie C. Smith Army Inspector General guest speaker
Army Birthday cake-cutting
Summer reading kickoff, movie
Noon, Thursday Fort Belvoir Exchange Everyone welcome
6:30-9 p.m., Friday, Library Followed by Zootopia, Wallace Theater 703-805-4244, and page A10
Comedy trio Friday, 8 p.m., Community Center Carlos Mencia, Trish Surh, Jordan Rock Tickets, $15 early from LTS $20 at the door 703-805-3714