An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
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.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue conducts training with Homestead Air Reserve Base firefighters

  • Published
  • By Mr. Ian Carrier
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Firefighters from Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue and Homestead Air Reserve Base conducted joint training here, June 29.

The event, part of a two-week series of training, was conducted at the Aircraft Fire Training Facility here on base. The facility simulates a realistic aircraft and can be used for a number of scenarios including liquid fire, cabin fire and engine fire.

By conducting the training at Homestead, M.D.F.R. saved a quarter of a million dollars, as opposed to traveling to Dallas, where they had gone in the past. M.D.F.R. does not have their own facility to conduct aircraft fire training, and Homestead ARB does not have a fire building to conduct training in, so for them to join forces and swap training areas is a no-brainer.

"It's a trade-off," said Chief Raymond Bradshaw, 482nd Civil Engineer firefighter. "They use our plane simulator, we use their building."

"I'm very glad we've established this relationship with the Air Force," said M.D.F.R. Chief Jose Herrera.

The event began with a safety briefing and an overview of the scenario. The firefighters took part in a walk through of the area and the simulator so that everyone would be familiar with what was to occur, ensuring the exercise was as safe as possible.

The men then had their vital statistics checked to make sure they were physically fit and ready for the event. The firefighters suited up and took their positions as various fires were lit on and around the aircraft, two exterior, two interior and one engine fire.

With trucks feeding their hoses, the men engaged the fire, extinguishing them as quickly as possible. The event not only gave the Miami-Dade firefighters valuable experience, but also gave them an opportunity to renew their qualifications on extinguishing aircraft fires.

The relationship that has been fostered between M.D.F.R. and Homestead ARB has become very strong, very quickly, and as Chief Herrera said, they are now family.