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New equipment helps Sheppard fire department reach new heights

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Under the Air Force Firefighting Vehicle Modernization Program, the Sheppard AFB Fire Department received a fire engine equipped with a 75-foot rescue ladder and elevated water stream.

The new truck provides the base and surrounding community with improved capabilities and safety assurances, considering the many multi-story buildings on the Sheppard Air Force grounds and in the Wichita Falls area.

With the addition of the ladder truck, Sheppard Fire Department can fight fires more effectively, said Fire Chief David Mounsey.

"The advantage of having the new truck is that it gives us more options when it comes to tactical operations," the chief said. "Before, we didn't have the ability to reach the top floor of our four story buildings. Now we can consider high and low angle rescues depending on the case."

Randy Hamman, Sheppard AFB Fire Department deputy fire chief, said the truck not only benefits Sheppard AFB but the surrounding community as well.

"Now that we have a ladder truck, this gives us another avenue to help the surrounding community," the deputy fire chief said. "If the Wichita Falls Fire Department encounters a severe enough fire they will call us for mutual aid support. With the ladder truck we have another resource to help them."

Carl Lamb, Sheppard AFB Fire Department driver, said since they received the truck they have trained with it daily.

"Fire fighters must be trained on any new equipment we receive," he said. "We train daily to make sure we are proficient, capable and well-organized. With this truck, it is no different. Each person has to know how to use, and be familiar with, the different elements of the truck."

More equipment is slated to arrive at the end of the year, Chief Mounsey said.

"Right now we have a 2,000 gallon tanker which will be replaced with a 4,000 gallon tanker around the end of the year time frame," he said. "We previously received replacements for the crash trucks as well which were equipped with newer technology."

Chief Mounsey said the trucks are checked daily to ensure they stay in the best shape possible.

"Our vehicles are checked every morning and inspected carefully," he said. "If we run into any mechanical problems or if the trucks need to be serviced, we have the motor pool mechanics to keep our trucks in good running condition."

The new fire truck will be in full service in September.