Spouses' Day: Stepping into their partner's boots

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Erin O'Shea
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Spouses of 48th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters were recently given the opportunity to experience a day in their significant others' boots.

Jennifer Coughlin, 48th CES fire department key spouse and wife of Tech. Sgt. Kevin Coughlin, 48th CES firefighter and station captain, spent the past four months planning this event, which came to fruition here May 1.

"We wanted the spouses to get the experience of what their husbands do," Jennifer said.

Spouses arrived at the fire station bright and early to observe a shift-change, tour the station and speak with firefighters about their duties. The event proved to be an educational experience, not only for the spouses, but for the Airmen as well.

"It was a good training experience for me," said Airman 1st Class Christian Nelligan, 48th CES firefighter. "Every time you're teaching, you're not only training other people, but retraining yourself. You have to be proficient in what you're teaching in order to convey the message to your students."

Nelligan taught the spouses how to properly use the Firehawk, a self-contained breathing apparatus, and how to correct errors while fighting a fire. 

Additionally, the spouses had lunch together, which served as a bonding opportunity for the fire department family to come together under one roof.

The day concluded with a hands-on event, allowing spouses to team up and extinguish a live fire at the flightline training facility.

"The couples who did get to fight the fires together came back a little bit happier when they took off their masks," Coughlin said. "I saw the hugs go out so that was nice to see."

Overall, the spouses' day was an opportunity to see what a fire department workday entails on shift. According to Jennifer, it served as an eye-opening and educational experience.

"I have a higher respect for his job," she said. "I knew it was hard, but you don't know how truly hard it is until you do it."

For the 48th CES firefighters, family and unit morale extends outside their station. And according to Nelligan, having events like this strengthens the bonds between members of their unit.

"The fire station really is a second home," Nelligan added. "This is family."