Tinker hosts coordinated attack, firefighting exercise for community Published Jan. 18, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Staff Writer Tinker AFB, Okla. -- As long as there are fire hazards, the Tinker Fire Department will be ready. This past week, Tinker's firefighters, with the Oklahoma City Fire Department, participated in a five-day "acquired structure live-fire coordinated attack" exercise to ready themselves for the real thing. "Tinker and the surrounding fire departments are very good and very aggressive departments," said Jim Hester, Tinker station chief. "We enjoy doing live fire training and what we do. We're doing this for the community, the base populace, and we do this to make ourselves better." An acquired structure live-fire attack is the practice of using a real-world building to create as near-to-real life scenario as possible. There are three primary teams -- fire attack, search and ventilation -- which make up the "coordinated attack." "Having this opportunity is amazing," said Terry Ford, Tinker Fire and Emergency Services chief. "To experience near-real-life scenarios such as a house fire is not easily done with the propane-fired, purpose-built structures commonly in use today. Having a structure like this increases the firefighters' awareness, capability and, most of all, confidence." Fire attack is usually led by the first engine, which is equipped with water pumps, on scene. It strikes the fire and puts it out. The search team enters the structure, looks for the origination of the fire, locates and removes entrapped victims. The team is overseen by a truck with a ladder. The ventilation team is responsible for creating another exit for the smoke and toxic gases. Typically, the ventilation crew will cut holes in the roof. "We basically run this like a football team. Each vehicle has a position just the linemen have a position and the running backs have a position," Chief Hester said. "Everyone is pre-assigned before they get here, so we've got our bases covered before anyone gets here. "This method provides a safer environment for firefighters and gives the victims a better chance of survival," Chief Hester said. "It's more efficient having three tasks done at the same time versus having the fire attack go in first and then the search team." Tinker has used the coordinated attack method for the past four years. "It was one of our major Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century successes," Chief Ford said. "The workers wanted to modify our methods of work and incorporate one of the principles of lean (standard work) and make operations more efficient. What we have as a result is more firefighters on scene, faster, with a defined set of objectives. The department has enjoyed this training opportunity for the last two years." This year's exercise was held at White Court where the teams practiced scenarios in six, two-story apartment units. They averaged 10 fires a day. Tinker acquired the property from Balfour Beatty Communities. "We are honored to work with the Tinker Fire Department toward the common goal of ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents," said Cindy Murillo, senior community manager for Balfour Beatty Communities' AMC West. "Whenever we have an opportunity to offer our resources or services to assist local community partners, we are proud to do so." Each day -- whether rain, wind or snow -- approximately 35 firefighters showed for the exercises. Of them, 25 performed firefighting duties while the remaining 10 held support roles. "We certainly take precautions when it comes to weather changes, whether hot or in this case cold," Chief Ford said. "We don't want anyone to get hurt but we have to train in all conditions because that's when fires occur ... in all conditions. It adds another element to the training, giving firefighters another challenge to make them better." Brian Arnold, a major with the Oklahoma City Fire Department and assistant coordinator with East Oklahoma County Technology Center for Fire Science/Firefighting, agreed. "This is wonderful. It gives guys the opportunity to train in a safe environment in the most realistic conditions," he said. "It doesn't get any more real than this."