Rota Fire Department Lights Off New Training Center - Literally
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS081203-15
Release Date: 12/3/2008 6:10:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Paul Cage,Naval Station Rota Public Affairs
ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota's Fire Department conducted its first burn exercise Nov. 26, officially opening a $450,000 state-of-the-art fire training center, the first of its kind in Navy Region Europe.
The new facility was funded by Commander, Navy Region Europe and will be used by NAVSTA Rota firefighters along with personnel from within the theater.
"This first burn, we wanted to make sure there were no bugs in it," said Mark Brusoe, NAVSTA Rota Fire Department training officer. "Everybody that was working today got live fire experience in both of the burn rooms. These guys are all full qualified and certified firefighters, but we wanted to see how our burn center reacted to fire. It reacted very well and we are pleased with the results."
The cement and metal-framed facility is two stories tall with roof access and also has a flat roof to perform all types of ladder and rescue operations. The inside has a small room that will double as a kitchen for firefighters to use in training fighting grease fires.
For many of the firefighters, unless they have responded to actual emergencies, this burn was the first live structural fire they have seen since graduating from the DoD Fire Academy.
"This allows us to practice responding to single story and multi-story emergencies that we respond to on and off base but in a controlled environment," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling 1st Class (AW) Tony Rice. "This facility gives us the opportunity to train how we fight. And being that this is the only one of its kind in Navy Region Europe, we look forward to training with other firefighters from throughout the region."
NAVSTA Rota is a new fire training hub for Navy Region Europe. On Dec. 1, firefighters from Sigonella and Sicily, both in Italy, and Souda Bay, Crete, came to the base to attend fire instructor one and fire inspector three courses that are only offered in Rota and nowhere else in Navy Region Europe.
"As an enduring base, this really fits into the plans of Region Europe consolidating resources. We can provide the training right here," said Capt. Bill Mosk, NAVSTA Rota commanding officer. "To bring in folks from all around the region to [use] this training facility and use it as a central site for firefighters from all [is] not only great for Rota but for the whole region."
For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit www.navy.mil/local/rota/.
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