Press Release
☷Bundeswehr Firefighters suit up for training at USAG Ansbach
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
Apr 04,2024
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In mid - March , the Bundeswehr Firefighters from the 1st Squadron of the Transport Helicopter Regiment 30 visited the IMCOM Europe Fire and Emergency Services Regional Training Center in Middle Franconia as part of an exercise hosted by U . S . Army Garrison Ansbach . During the exercise , the firefighters learned various techniques , such as assessing the length of water hoses , navigating obstacles in corridors , and using hydraulic ventilation to clear smoke from rooms . The Bundeswehr firefighters are part of the military fire protection unit based at Niederstetten Air Base . U . S . Army Garrison Ansbach is a U . S . Army Power Projection Platform located in Middle Franconia , Germany . In mid - March , the Bundeswehr Firefighters from the 1st Squadron of the Transport Helicopter Regiment 30 had a training exercise at the IMCOM Europe Fire and Emergency Services Regional Training Center on Urlas Kaserne , hosted by USAG Ansbach . The military fire protection unit , also known as "Militärische Brandeinsatzkräfte" , based at Niederstetten Air Base , had the opportunity to train alongside their regular duties as soldiers . Oberstabsfeldwebel Christian Schmitt , platoon leader and trainer , highlighted the unique experience of switching between soldier and firefighter roles during the exercise . Coming from Niederstetten Air Base in Northeast Baden - Württemberg , the 20 Bundeswehr firefighters from the aviation operations support platoon who took part in the training are responsible for protecting against fires outside military properties , including military training grounds . "Having fire departments outside the U . S . Army join us as guests is always a great opportunity to strengthen partnerships with local fire departments , " said Alexander Gernhard , USAG Ansbach Training Officer at the Ansbach - based training center . During the two - day training , the Bundeswehr firefighters practiced various situations with the help of their garrison counterparts . The first day focused on respiratory protection training , where they learned techniques like hydraulic ventilation and using breathing apparatus to clear smoke from a room . They also trained with Self - Contained Breathing Apparatus ( ACBA ) , navigating through a foggy , obstacle - filled space with limited air supply . The first day was mentally and physically challenging , as they had to perform the exercises while wearing full firefighting gear , which weighs around 66 pounds . The second day involved technical emergency response exercises using U . S . Army Humvees . One of these exercises was the lifting bag technique , used to lift flipped vehicles for better visibility or to rescue trapped occupants . However , this technique can be time - consuming as the Bundeswehr firefighters need to carefully assess the situation for a successful rescue mission . The team was able to use their own technical equipment to come up with new ways to rescue someone trapped in a car . They practiced scenarios where someone in shock was trapped in a vehicle and had to be freed within 20 minutes . The team members have different levels of experience , with some being seasoned firefighters and others just starting out . They practiced various scenarios to prepare for any unexpected or life - threatening situations . They were happy to be back in Ansbach and training with their counterparts . These training sessions happen multiple times a year and involve other partners as well . The training helps strengthen the partnership between Germany and the U . S . and familiarizes the team with U . S . Army fire equipment . It also prepares them for the NATO Swift Response Training in Romania , where they will work with other U . S . Army units and allies . The IMCOM - E Training Center is the only firefighting training ground of its kind in Europe . It was built between 1999 and 2001 and has a unique training structure that can create realistic emergency scenarios . Ansbach is home to several military units and supports over 12 , 000 people in the area . For more news from U . S . Army Garrison Ansbach , visit: https://www . army . Check out Franconian News on Facebook at https://www . facebook . com/usagansbachcommunity/ .
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