JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
While Haiti relief flights from Joint Base Charleston wind down, there is still a group of Airmen who are busy as can be.
Chief Master Sgt. Denny Heitman, the fire chief with the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron fire emergency services flight here, and firefighters from around the Air Force are in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where they are in charge of airport operations for fire equipment coming into the Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport.
The firefighters' home units span bases throughout the Air Force, including Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Shaw AFB, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, Scott AFB, Ill., Pope AFB, N.C., Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Whiteman AFB, Mo., and Beale AFB, Calif.
On first arrival, the firefighters had the task of establishing fire operations from the ground up, and in an area as busy as it has been - anything can go wrong.
The team's preparation efforts were not in vain. Since arriving in Haiti, fire crews have dealt with emergencies at the airport ranging from fuel spills, electrical fires due to airfield lightning, as well as in-flight and medical emergencies.
The situations have provided the Airmen with the opportunity to work on training with the resident Haitians who work at the airport to respond to these types of emergencies.
There are currently close to 26 firefighters working under Chief Heitman, a decrease from the nearly 40 he had originally.
The reduction of deployed firefighters the fire chief called "right sizing" to the needs of the mission based on the availability of resident firefighters and capabilities.
In addition to protecting the airport, fire crews and aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles are also protecting a tent city area and emergency medical support area - a working and living area at the airport for relief workers who are providing a number of services, according to Chief Heitman.
In addition to normal firefighting duties, each day a group is sent to the local Hotel Montana where they work a rotation with Canadian firefighters who specialize in rescue and recovery to retrieve bodies of those who were killed when the hotel collapsed during the 7.0-magnitude earthquake Jan. 12.
"This is one of the tasks several Air Force members are helping with every day," the fire chief said.
Until recently, fire crews on the ground in Haiti had been on a 24-hour standby. Supplies are limited, but Meals, Ready-to-Eat are in plenty and nearly the only thing on the menu, he said.
"We moved the majority of the fire operations to midfield, and are now working and sleeping out of two Alaskan tents," said Chief Heitman. "This has allowed us to eliminate the 24-hour line standby."
The work of the firefighters ensures airport and relief operations are kept safe from the threat of flame. Each day brings a new wave of challenges for the firemen on the ground at the airport, but despite the long hours, the firemen know their role in the Haiti relief effort is an important one.
"All the guys here are motivated and continue to do great things every day," said Chief Heitman.