Marine firefighters participate in training exercise

Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Marines based out of Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton recently participated in a mobile aircraft fire fighting training exercise alongside San Diego County firefighters.

The effort executed at the San Diego International Airport in San Diego, Calif., addressed Marine and local firefighter needs for training and certifications to perform emergency and non-emergency events occurring daily.

“We don’t have a (mobile aircraft firefighting training device) on Camp Pendleton,” said Sgt. Luis Gomez, aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with ARFF, H&HS, MCAS Camp Pendleton. “This allows the Marines to train in a real scenario. It is good for the Marines.”

Officials said ARFF Marines support air station operations with fire suppression and extinguishment, extrication, and rescue, basic emergency medical services, salvage and overhaul operations, and immediate hazardous material response.

Additionally, the Marines train to respond to any type of emergency on the airstation while local firefighters conduct the same training.

“This training exercise is for our folks to get the basic skills that they need to be able to handle the emergency instances down at Lindbergh Field,” San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Colin Stowell said. “Firefighting aircraft is much different than structure fires and wildland firefighting.”

Stowell said fire departments countywide rely on each other for resources, noting training together builds camaraderie between departments and enables mutual aid.