Vance FD assists in grassfires

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. M. Davis
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Vance firefighters were called for assistance Dec. 28 and 29 during a grassfire that burned approximately 300 acres near Carrier, Okla.
"Six Vance firefighters were needed to provide water shuttle to the area and manpower to control and extinguish the fire," said Greg Knight, assistant chief of operations at Vance Fire Department. "The team provided assistance Dec. 28, but was called back the next day when fires flared up again."
Battling blazes that were fanned by 35 mile-per-hour winds gusting northeast, the team worked alongside approximately 10 other fire departments from nearby towns, said Mr. Knight.
"Vance firefighters are involved in the tri-county mutual aid agreement between Garfield, Grant and Alfalfa counties," he said. "Once an emergency is more than a local fire department can handle, they can call on the nearby fire departments to provide aid."
Of course, Vance AFB is the No. 1 priority, but with the flying mission down for the holidays, the Vance firefighters were able to assist, said Eric Smith, assistant chief of operations and technical services.
"We provided a 2,000-gallon water tanker for both days," he said. "We set up a water shuttle, which is an area for other trucks to fill with water to drive out to the fire."
The fire was burning in a grassy, wooded area, Mr. Smith said. Firefighters drove self-contained, one ton brush rigs over the rough terrain to fight the fire and would later drive back to the water shuttle to fill their trucks up with water again, he explained.
"Providing assistance whenever possible helps keep communication open with other fire departments, while building trust and fostering a good partnership," Mr. Smith said. "We are always ready to help, whether it's on or off Vance AFB."