Altus Air Force Base News

 

Base, city fire department training pays off in house fire

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Levin Boland
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS, Okla. --  Firefighters from Altus Air Force Base, Altus Fire Department and Friendship Volunteer Fire Department worked together to contain an off-base house fire rented by an Altus AFB member, Nov. 11, 2014.

One resident was home when the fire began, but managed to evacuate unharmed and called 911. The cause of the fire is still unknown and is currently under investigation, although witnesses report hearing a loud boom that was believed to be an exploded tank of argon gas stored in the garage.

Together, the firefighters arrived on scene, extinguished the fire and saved what they could of the home. Members of the Altus Police Department, Jackson County Emergency Medical Services and the City of Altus Emergency Management also arrived to provide assistance.

"I thought it was very good and very fast between our response, the city of Altus and Friendship," said Retired Senior Master Sgt. Philip Fourroux, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief. "All of them were extremely efficient and quick. Everyone knows their roles and how to assist and help the individuals in need." 

This was all thanks to the community training held between the base and local fire departments. 

"We have been working over the past two months to develop our training program and align our operations with community fire departments," said Fourroux. "This is another effort in our community partnership to make that training and hard work come into action when it was needed the most."