Fire department unveils new live fire training facility

  • Published
  • By Ross Tweten
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  The 482nd Fighter Wing Fire Department cut the ribbon on its new Class-A burn facility at Homestead Air Reserve Base, May 30.

The burn facility is used for live fire, search and rescue, technical rescue training, as well as several other functions.

According to base Assistant Fire Chief Raymond Bradshaw, the new live fire training facility, in conjunction with the base's live fire aircraft facility, makes Homestead ARB a premier live fire training location in Air Force Reserve Command. 

"It can be expensive if we are sending firefighters on temporary duty to accomplish this training," said Bradshaw. "The facility's ability to save us money is an important benefit."

The new facility brings a monetary benefit to HARB because firefighters are required to complete two live fire burns annually. The facility also provides an opportunity for local fire departments to work with the base fire department on joint training exercises that are required by the Air Force.

"We have strengthened our relationship with Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue by working and training together for the past few years," said Bradshaw. "This facility makes our relationship even stronger."

Future upgrades to HARB's live fire training capabilities include a concrete pad to be used for vehicle extrication exercises.