IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ, A CORPS OF U. S. SOLDIERS are serving as fire service advisers as part of the nation reconstruction effort. Lt. Col. Gary Esson heads up the fire service advisory unit of the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion, Provincial Reconstruction Team, and he explains:
The first step was to improve living standards inside Iraqi fire stations. “If there was an [American Base] closing, we would contact them for any furniture that they would give up,” said Esson. “Items like desks, beds and chairs, your basic living items.”
The second step was to get the Iraqi firefighters proper recognition throughout the local community. According to Esson, Iraqi firefighters are not held in the same high regard as the police.
Sgt. Phillip Valentine, 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, has written a good article explaining the program and giving examples of some of the work that the fire advisors are doing.
Capt. Brian Siccone, a fire and rescue technician
in the International Zone shows a group of
Girl Scouts the proper way to use a
fire extinguisher.
Please take a moment and read the story published by the Operation Iraqi Freedom website HERE.
Hat tip: Todd H.
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