Aircraft rescue school underway
City of Yakima firefighters rush to extinguish a training fire Friday at Grant County International Airport.
MOSES LAKE - If you see plumes of black smoke and flames coming from the Grant County International Airport, don't worry.
The sights are part of firefighter training offered by Big Bend Community College's Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting School.
"Truck 4 respond to a downed aircraft," orders a voice over the radio to firefighters waiting outside.
The truck with firefighters inside responds, extinguishing the fuel-ignited fire.
The various training scenarios include commercial aircraft on fire, a wing wheel break and engine issues, explained Keith Taylor, the college's training coordinator.
He is also assistant chief of operations for Sea-Tac International Airport.
He likes the Grant County International Airport's training facility.
"(It gives instructors) the opportunity to really mold and train people and work on their skills as aircraft firefighters," Taylor explained.
Instructors and students are able to work out ideas and new approaches, while honing their skills, he said.
Taylor also said you gain a new appreciation for fear when riding in a fire truck bound for a training fire.
"We're doing it quick, seconds and minutes count," he told his students.
Instructor Valorie Tomren works inside a small building equipped with a control panel triggering an emergency horn, fuel pump, water pump, well pump and catch basin. She is also a firefighter for the City of Pasco.
The school offers a spring class for about 10 days and a fall class for about five days.
"There are lots and lots of fire departments represented in all our classes," she commented.
Last week, some firefighters from the City of Yakima were taking a custom refresher class.
One refresher course per year is required for firefighters to keep FAA certification.
In order to work at an airport as a rescue firefighter, firefighters must take the class, Tomren explained
The Port of Moses Lake and Big Bend work together to provide the training.
The port provides its property as a training facility and Big Bend's instructors carry out the training.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
