We didn't start the fire

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride
  • 48th Fighter WIng Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Protecting the lives, property and environment within the community is how the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department supports the mission of the 48th Fighter Wing.

"Our job is important in protecting our most valued Air Force assets," said Master Sgt. Abelardo Salas, 48th CES assistant chief of training.

To ensure those assets are protected, RAF Lakenheath maintains multiple fire stations.

"We have two fire stations here," Salas said. "The reason for that is to meet mandated response times to different areas on the installation. One of the stations is strategically placed for immediate response to munitions sites and the runway."

At a moment's notice, there are always firefighters ready to respond around the clock.

"The amount of hours that our Airmen put in is sometimes overlooked," said Salas. "They are required to complete 88 annual education courses, eight monthly courses and 240 hours of driving to receive their driver's license all on top of a 72-hour work week that is unlike any other job. These Airmen don't get to go home to their families every night."

According to Salas, integrity, self-sacrifice and physical fitness are traits essential to being a firefighter.

"We are entrusted with protecting lives; it's a true calling of running into a dangerous situation to save lives, and we require an extreme state of fitness to respond fully prepared," Salas added. "We continually train to stay prepared for real world incidents."

Not only does leadership know the importance of their job, the junior airmen know they are a key component to a unit specializing in protecting Air Force assets.

"I take a lot of pride in what we do here," said Airman 1st Class Devon Downing, 48th CES firefighter. "This job gives me a sense of accomplishment from knowing I helped make a difference to someone in need. It's given me the opportunity to see some amazing things, and I can't imagine doing anything else."