Soldiers from the Army Reserve 659th Engineer Company quickly responded to an urgent request to help firefighting efforts at the Fairchild Air Force Base. The fire threatened a residential area in Airway Heights, Washington. This is the first time this unit has been used for this type of mission.
The fire department request made the request under the 2012 Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA), which allows the Army Reserve to support local requests for domestic support in the same manner as the National Guard.
“You and your personnel positively made a difference and were there, eager to assist and impact the overall success of the extinguishment/mop up and resupply operations. No personnel and no homes were lost!!!,” said Fairchild Air Force Base Fire Chief Kimo Kuhean.
The Fire Chief of the Fairchild Air Force Base Fire Emergency Services first learned about the unit’s capabilities during a joint exercise with the air base’s fire department earlier this year. The Fire Chief knew the Army Reserve had the best equipment and trained personal to help the community fight this fire.
