The Daily Dispatch

By being assigned to Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting services (ARFF) by the Canadian Snowbirds, the Wahpeton Fire Department played an important role in the Wings Over Wahpeton air show Wednesday at Harry Stern Airport.

"It's part of our emergency plan if anything was to happen," said Canadian Snowbirds Public Information Officer Jennifer Jones. "It's one of those things you hope you never have to use."

Fire fighters never had to use their skills Wednesday, but learned a lot on how they would assist in an emergency situation involving the CT-114 Tutor aircraft flown by the Snowbirds.

Both Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning Wahpeton's fire crew was briefed on the aircraft's danger zones and what would need to be done before they entered the aircraft.

Wahpeton's fire chief Dale Rubish said half the department volunteered to spend their day at Harry Stern Airport providing support for the air show.

"Everywhere we stop they have their own emergency services, so what we try to do is just educate them on our aircraft, get them to assist because they're the ones with the local knowledge of how things are done," said Canadian Snowbirds Sgt. Darren Knap. Sgt. Knap provided answers to general questions the department would have upon approaching the unfamiliar aircraft.

At Wednesday morning's briefing, firefighters learned there are three pins they would need to search for before they could enter the plane. Two behind the seats for ejection handles and one behind the seat in the jettison canopy.

"I always tell them 'I guarantee all three pins will never be in because there's no way the pilot will get the pin in on his own,'" said Canadian Snowbirds Cpl. Eric Beauchesne, adding there are also three separate lines a firefighter could cut.

Beauchesne indicated he also showed the crew where the throttle and power supply controls are located, as far as getting into the canopy, and under what circumstances they should or shouldn't cut power at those locations.

"The Snowbirds bring in their technical people also, so they have a pilot and a crew chief in each plane so they would respond if there was a problem too," Rubish said, adding they have the technical knowledge on what can and can't be done with the plane. "We'd work with them to get the pilot out the fastest and safest for us and them."

"Their primary responsibility is to the pilot," said Beauchesne.

According to fire fighter Lane Wateland, a rewarding aspect of the day was being approached by Warren Piestch and his brother Kent, and receiving recognition for their stand-by service.

"They both thanked us because even some of the bigger shows they go to the fire rescue guys never come and ask them about their aircraft," Wateland said. "We walked the whole flight line, talked to all the pilots and crew chiefs and learned about fuel cut offs and access points."

Printer Friendly