Strengthening Ties: Goodfellow AFB and San Angelo Fire Department conduct HAZMAT exercise

Published Aug. 29, 2024
By Senior Airman Sarah Williams
17 Training Wing Public Affairs

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

Goodfellow Air Force Base worked with the San Angelo Fire Department in a no-notice hazardous material drill, Aug. 27.

The drill tested the interoperability and emergency response capabilities of the Civil Support Team. The team rapidly responded to a simulated biological event and worked seamlessly with local agencies to mitigate the situation.

Strengthening Ties: Goodfellow AFB and San Angelo Fire Department conduct HAZMAT exercise

Acosta Radhames, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, dons his personal protective equipment at the Spur Arena, San Angelo, Texas, Aug. 27, 2024. Using PPE during a hazmat event shields responders from dangerous substances, minimizing the risk of exposure and ensuring their safety while managing the incident. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Williams)

“It’s important to practice how you play,” said Stacy Wright, San Angelo Fire Department battalion chief. “If we never work together, then we can’t work out the discrepancies beforehand. This exercise helped us to see where we needed to improve as a team and how we can make things better for the future.”

The exercise involved a simulated biological release, as the HAZMAT response team for Goodfellow and San Angelo, the 17th Civil Engineer Squadron was a part of the initial team to respond to the scene. Their role was to swiftly identify the hazardous material, which could be chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear substances.

After the Goodfellow HAZMAT team identified the potential threat, they proceeded to the decontamination zone. There, the San Angelo Fire Department conducted decontamination procedures, including rinsing, scrubbing, inspecting, performing medical evaluations, and proper disposal of contaminated materials. Once cleared, the incident was handed over to the CST for further management.

“This exercise demonstrates our strong partnership with San Angelo,” said Kevin Bullion, 17th CES assistant chief of training. “As an interoperable team, we are fully equipped to handle any emergency.

Strengthening Ties: Goodfellow AFB and San Angelo Fire Department conduct HAZMAT exercise

Zachary Kirkish, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, is scrubbed in the decontamination zone at the Spur Arena, San Angelo, Texas, Aug. 27, 2024. Decontamination is essential for ensuring that hazardous materials are contained and neutralized, safeguarding the health of responders and preventing further environmental damage. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Williams)

Strengthening Ties: Goodfellow AFB and San Angelo Fire Department conduct HAZMAT exercise

Zachary Kirkish, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, identifies hazardous material at the Spur Arena, San Angelo, Texas, Aug. 27, 2024. The 17th Civil Engineer Squadron swiftly identified the simulated hazardous material, which could be chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Williams)

Strengthening Ties: Goodfellow AFB and San Angelo Fire Department conduct HAZMAT exercise

Alan Herbert, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant fire chief, conducts a safety brief at the Spur Arena, San Angelo, Texas, Aug. 27, 2024. Goodfellow Air Force Base worked with the San Angelo Fire Department in a no-notice hazardous material drill, testing their rapid response to a simulated biological event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah Williams)