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8 March 2024
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Fire stations of the world: Tyndall Air Force Base celebrates the opening of four new fire facilities, US
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Team Tyndall celebrated the transfer from contractors to the US Air Force of four fire facilities on 27 September 2023. The four new facilities are the first buildings to be completed and since the base was devastated by Hurricane Michael almost five years ago. The 325th Civil Engineer Squadron and the 801st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer Training Squadron, held separate ceremonies to mark these monumental milestones. “Completing these buildings provides the unit with permanent operational facilities, purposely designed to enhance their training efforts and withstand future storms,” explained Col Robert Bartlow, Air Force Civil Engineer Centre natural disaster recovery division chief. “These facilities are constructed to withstand 165mph winds and built above the projected storm surge levels.”
The day began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new 801st RHTS fire contingency training facility, one of three reconstructed structures completed for the unit. The other two buildings are a vehicle maintenance facility and a heavy equipment storage hangar.
“These facilities will help to extend the life span of our vehicles by protecting them from the elements,” explained Master Sgt Dennis Scott, 801st RHTS fire contingency training section chief. “As I walked through the buildings, I notice the new technology that has been implemented and I know it will help make our processes more efficient.”
Later in the day, the 325th CES fire department held a decoupling ceremony at Fire Station #2 to symbolise the station becoming home to the unit and its members.
“This is a momentous occasion for the fire department. Hurricane Michael ravaged our previous fire stations, which left our personnel and emergency vehicles without a secure shelter for five years,” said Kevin Remedies, 325th CES fire chief. “Firefighters spend as much time at a station as they do at home, so Fire Station #2 and future stations will provide the quality of life these brave men and women deserve.”
The 13 480 square-foot station includes a new alerting system, ten bunk rooms, a full kitchen, fitness area along with many other quality-of-life amenities. The garage consists of a three-bay vehicle garage, where Tyndall’s first ladder truck will soon be housed.
“I want to express my gratitude to all those who have contributed to making this day a reality,” said Col George Watkins, 325th Fighter Wing commander. “From the architects and construction teams to our tireless firefighters and the entire Tyndall community.”
Tyndall Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base located 12 miles east of Panama City, Florida in the US. The base was named in honour of World War I pilot 1st Lt Frank Benjamin Tyndall.
Photo captions
Photo 1: Ceremonial hoses are connected in front of the vehicle bays of the new 325th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Fire Station #2 facility before the start of a decoupling ceremony at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 27, 2023. The ceremony symbolises the station becoming home for the department and its first responders. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 2: The 325th Civil Engineer Squadron’s emergency response vehicles sit idle in the new Fire Station #2 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 25, 2023. The station is the first building to be reconstructed after devastating damage from Hurricane Michael in 2018. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 3: A newly constructed overhang facility, used to store heavy equipment for the 801st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Training Squadron, sits ready for daily operations at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 21, 2023. The squadron requires heavy equipment like bulldozers to practice repairing a runway during simulated training exercises. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 4: The fire contingency training facility nears completion at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 21, 2023. The facility will house the 801st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Training Squadron and their emergency response vehicles, used to train members across the Department of Defense. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 5: US Air Force Col George Watkins, 325th Fighter Wing commander, left and Kevin Remedies, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief, right, detach a fire hose during a decoupling ceremony of Fire Station #2 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 27, 2023. The ceremony celebrates the rebuild completion of Fire Station #2. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 6: US Air Force Airman 1st Class Jordan Sylvester, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, secures a ladder at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 25, 2023. Despite the lasting effects of Hurricane Michael, the 325th Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Protection flight has continued to stay mission ready through training and exercises. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 7: US Air Force Col George Watkins, 325th Fighter Wing commander, middle left, shakes hands with Maj. Freddie Stephens, 801st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Training Squadron commander, middle right, after cutting the ribbon for the new fire contingency training facility at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 27, 2023. The facility will house the 801st RHTS and is one of three newly constructed squadron facilities. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Source: Tyndall Air Force Base Public Affairs
The day began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new 801st RHTS fire contingency training facility, one of three reconstructed structures completed for the unit. The other two buildings are a vehicle maintenance facility and a heavy equipment storage hangar.
“These facilities will help to extend the life span of our vehicles by protecting them from the elements,” explained Master Sgt Dennis Scott, 801st RHTS fire contingency training section chief. “As I walked through the buildings, I notice the new technology that has been implemented and I know it will help make our processes more efficient.”
Later in the day, the 325th CES fire department held a decoupling ceremony at Fire Station #2 to symbolise the station becoming home to the unit and its members.
“This is a momentous occasion for the fire department. Hurricane Michael ravaged our previous fire stations, which left our personnel and emergency vehicles without a secure shelter for five years,” said Kevin Remedies, 325th CES fire chief. “Firefighters spend as much time at a station as they do at home, so Fire Station #2 and future stations will provide the quality of life these brave men and women deserve.”
The 13 480 square-foot station includes a new alerting system, ten bunk rooms, a full kitchen, fitness area along with many other quality-of-life amenities. The garage consists of a three-bay vehicle garage, where Tyndall’s first ladder truck will soon be housed.
“I want to express my gratitude to all those who have contributed to making this day a reality,” said Col George Watkins, 325th Fighter Wing commander. “From the architects and construction teams to our tireless firefighters and the entire Tyndall community.”
Tyndall Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base located 12 miles east of Panama City, Florida in the US. The base was named in honour of World War I pilot 1st Lt Frank Benjamin Tyndall.
Photo captions
Photo 1: Ceremonial hoses are connected in front of the vehicle bays of the new 325th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Fire Station #2 facility before the start of a decoupling ceremony at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 27, 2023. The ceremony symbolises the station becoming home for the department and its first responders. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 2: The 325th Civil Engineer Squadron’s emergency response vehicles sit idle in the new Fire Station #2 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 25, 2023. The station is the first building to be reconstructed after devastating damage from Hurricane Michael in 2018. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 3: A newly constructed overhang facility, used to store heavy equipment for the 801st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Training Squadron, sits ready for daily operations at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 21, 2023. The squadron requires heavy equipment like bulldozers to practice repairing a runway during simulated training exercises. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 4: The fire contingency training facility nears completion at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 21, 2023. The facility will house the 801st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Training Squadron and their emergency response vehicles, used to train members across the Department of Defense. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 5: US Air Force Col George Watkins, 325th Fighter Wing commander, left and Kevin Remedies, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief, right, detach a fire hose during a decoupling ceremony of Fire Station #2 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 27, 2023. The ceremony celebrates the rebuild completion of Fire Station #2. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 6: US Air Force Airman 1st Class Jordan Sylvester, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, secures a ladder at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 25, 2023. Despite the lasting effects of Hurricane Michael, the 325th Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Protection flight has continued to stay mission ready through training and exercises. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Photo 7: US Air Force Col George Watkins, 325th Fighter Wing commander, middle left, shakes hands with Maj. Freddie Stephens, 801st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Training Squadron commander, middle right, after cutting the ribbon for the new fire contingency training facility at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 27, 2023. The facility will house the 801st RHTS and is one of three newly constructed squadron facilities. (US Air Force photo by Venessa Armenta)
Source: Tyndall Air Force Base Public Affairs
