(The Center Square) – More than two dozen Nevada National Guard members are now certified for wildland firefighting.
Twenty-eight soldiers completed the certification this month, something officials called a “crucial step for enhancing the region’s firefighting capabilities.”
Units participating in the certification process included 609th Engineer Company, Alpha Company, Bravo Company, and 150th Maintenance Company, as well as the 72 Military Police and elements of the 422nd. Training involved line digging, drip torch, and fusee training, something that involves colored flares to light fires. Soldiers also learned about mounting and dismounting from fire transport vehicles or ‘crew buggies’ that carry up to 10 people and provide storage for equipment. Meanwhile, the soldiers familiarize themselves with standard firefighting procedures, today’s best safety practices, and hand tool operations.
Staff Sgt. Cameron Fricke of the 609th Combat Engineer Company was happy to do it.
“I’m proud to protect our home,” said Fricke, who serves as the Nevada Army National Guard’s Wildland Firefighting Support Noncommissioned Officer. “We are locals who are dedicated to serving our communities, committed to being Nevadans helping Nevadans.”