BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- Firemen always have had a lot of responsibility resting on their shoulders, from the proverbial rescue of a kitten stuck in a tree to selflessly entering towering infernos to rescue those inside.

The Air Force firefighters of the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group here say they are aware of this proud heritage. Although things have been relatively calm here, they are always busy training and preparing in case they are called on to do their job.

The 27 Air Force fire rescue technicians here are responsible for providing fire protection and emergency rescue service for all U.S. and coalition military services here.

They are trained in multiple skills, including airfield firefighting, structural firefighting, hazardous-material handling, confined space rescue and emergency medical service.

“We are the equivalent of a civilian airport fire company,” said Tech. Sgt. Jason Theriault the rescue crew chief. “But we’re prepared for much more.”

Considering the high volume of air traffic going in and out of the air base every day, and the thousands of coalition troops living here, having firefighters is a necessity, according to Theriault.

“No matter where you go, no matter what base you set up, if you have people around airplanes, then you need firefighters there to protect them,” he said.

The airmen are equipped with many fire-fighting vehicles, and their main vehicle is capable of carrying 3,000 gallons of water and up to 150 gallons of chemical foam for extinguishing jet-fuel fires.

Where they differ most from an airport fire-fighting outfit is with their rescue vehicle, which holds equipment to handle almost any situation.

“We’re prepared to repel down, break into or cut into pretty much anything,” Theriault said. Their rescue equipment includes the Jaws of Life, ropes for scaling buildings, metal cutters and high-powered saws.

Along with training to fight fires, the airmen provide monthly fire prevention inspections throughout the base, which includes checking fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.

The firefighters work 24-hour shifts when on duty, allowing them to quickly respond to a fire on the airfield or anywhere else on the base.

“We’re required to be on the scene within four minutes for a structural fire and three minutes for a flightline fire -- on the scene searching for people, victims and the fire,” Theriault said.

The firefighters’ tour in Afghanistan has been relatively calm. Their biggest incident was when an AV-8 Harrier ran off the runway. They also have had to put out a handful of brush fires outside the base, according to Chief Master Sgt. George Chambers, 455th EOG fire chief.

Although they have had to face only a few incidents, polishing their firefighting skills and knowledge keeps them busy day-to-day.

“The job never gets boring; there’s always something new,” said Senior Airman James Hannigan, crew chief. “We never stop learning; there are always different certifications and schools and new practices to learn.”

They also are required to learn aircrew rescue procedures for all the aircraft that come here so they could safely retrieve the pilot if an aircraft were to ever crash on or near the airfield, according to Theriault.

The job hours are long and busy for the firefighters, but they learn to depend on each other and the camaraderie they share to accomplish the mission.

“There’s a brotherhood aspect to it,” said Hannigan. “We stick together, inside the fire and out.”