Kirkuk Airmen facilitate relationship building between Iraqi firefighters

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mindy Bloem
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNS) --  U.S. and Iraqi air force firefighters facilitated a maintenance education day in an effort to foster professional bonds April 12 at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq.

506th Air Expeditionary Group members and Iraq Training and Advisory Mission members assisted the Province of Kirkuk Fire Department and the Iraq air force fire department members in getting as many fire trucks in service as possible.

The Iraq Air Force Fire Department has four fire vehicles, three were not working to full capacity prior to the assistance visit.

"Once the U.S. military leaves, these two departments are going to have to rely on each other," said Chief Master Sgt. Pete Dickerson, the fire chief for the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire department. "Having the ability of one department to help another is a huge step in bringing both departments together."

Although the two Iraqi entities have worked together on various training scenarios on base in the past, this visit marked the first time they worked together on vehicle maintenance issues.
The Province of Kirkuk Fire Department mechanics were instrumental in repairing two of the Iraq Air Force Fire Department fire trucks, doubling their capability to fight fires.

"One vehicle had been out of service for more than one and a half years and was repaired in the first two hours," said Senior Master Sgt. Mark Czmyr, assistant fire chief for the 506th ECES/FD. "Another vehicle had serious safety discrepancies that were repaired on the spot. The third had broken parts that can be purchased locally to facilitate its repair."

The training was especially crucial because the Province of Kirkuk Fire Department members shared their knowledge of how to repair the European-type fire equipment with the Iraq Air Force vehicle maintainers.

"These trucks are very specialized with on-board computers and electronics that require in-residence schooling usually provided by the truck manufacturer," Sergeant Czmyr said. "If repairs could be made on the spot, the PKFD members made the repairs while IqAF mechanics watched and learned how to make the repairs."
This local partnership also aids in the future efficiency of fire firefighting in Iraq.

"Eventually the (Iraq Air Force Fire Department)  will be fighting fires and responding to emergencies on their own and with assistance from the (Province of Kirkuk Fire Department)," Chief Dickerson said. "It's very important the two departments work together and develop a bond and trust. This event is the beginning of building that trust and developing a knowledge base to keep the fleet of fire trucks in service."

There are plans to bring the Province of Kirkuk Fire Department members back as needed, Chief Dickerson said.

"It was a great experience to have the two departments work together toward a common goal and see the (Province of Kirkuk Fire Department) mechanics are willing to come back on base anytime to help fix vehicles that don't belong to them," he said. "I remember what (the Province of Kirkuk Fire Department fire chief) said when we asked him if it would be possible to have his mechanics come back on base to help. He said that in fire fighting 'We are all brothers.'"