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Sheppard, Wichita Falls firefighters subdue blazes

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  • By 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Firefighters from Sheppard Air Force Base helped battle at least three wildfires April 15 that destroyed the home of a Sheppard Airman and forced the evacuation of one of Sheppard's military housing areas.

Two fires - north and south of the base - began burning early in the afternoon. Hurricane-force winds and drought conditions caused them to spread quickly, and local fire departments requested support from Sheppard.

In all, Sheppard provided eight trucks and 27 firefighters to help fight fires throughout the day. Though three homes were destroyed and several others damaged, Wichita Falls fire officials credited their Air Force partners with saving numerous others, according to Sheppard Fire Chief David Mounsey.

"We made a decision early on to take two of our crash vehicles from the airfield, and that gave us the ability to put a lot of water on the fire very quickly and stop the spread of fire to adjacent homes. The Wichita Falls fire chief stated that the prompt response of the crash trucks prevented the loss of additional homes," Chief Mounsey said.

Even so, the fast-moving blaze forced the evacuation of the Freedom Estates housing area and two nearby elementary schools that have a large population of military children. Base emergency management officials quickly worked with the Burkburnett Independent School District to arrange to have those children bussed directly to Sheppard's South Chapel, where an Emergency Family Assistance Center had already been established to help the displaced families.

By 5 p.m., the fire was under control and families were allowed back into Freedom Estates--thanks in large part to effective coordination between the base and the local community, said 82nd Mission Support Group Commander Col. Kimberley Ramos.

"We have an incredible working relationship with our community partners," Colonel Ramos said. "In fact, at the very moment the fires started burning we were in the middle of a DSCA (Defense Support to Civil Authorities) training session, so all the people who needed to work together in this kind of crisis were already in the same room. Those are the days when you reap the benefits of training together and keeping the lines of communication open."

Offers of help and donations for the Airman whose home was destroyed began pouring in even before the flames were extinguished. A fellow NCO opened his home to him until he could make more permanent arrangements, and base agencies provided uniforms, dishes and other necessities. Others have donated living room and dining room furniture as well as a gift card to a local clothing store.

"It's a reminder of how fortunate we are to be part of the Air Force family," said Colonel Ramos. "We take care of our own when they're in need. We're just counting our blessings that no one was seriously hurt and that more homes weren't lost."

A blessing for which one commenter on Sheppard AFB's Facebook page gave credit where credit was due: "SAFB Fire Dept are true angels!" wrote Donna Sykes. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for saving my home."