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News | Dec. 16, 2024

Fighting fires with partnerships

By Staff Sgt. Tristan Biese Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs

Firefighters from the 612th Air Base Squadron, Joint Task Force-Bravo, and the JTF-Bravo Civil Affairs team in Panama worked closely with Panamanian firefighters through essential skills training and humanitarian assistance from Dec. 10-12, 2024. 

The JTF-Bravo Firefighters trained 16 local firefighters on firefighting techniques and need-to-knows such as the 10 Standard Fire Orders, wildland firefighting tactics, how to tie proper knots, low angle rescue and vehicle extraction.

“We discussed on day one that we're going to teach them things that we know and they're going to teach us things that we wouldn't even think about,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Justin Rico, Technical Sergeant, 612th ABS, JTF-Bravo fire prevention assistant Chief.  “And there's already things that we're going to take back as a team and incorporate into our training.”

The Panamanian firefighters don’t have as much or the same equipment as the JTF-Bravo firefighters, meaning their tactics are quite different. Additionally, Panama’s terrain is hilly, making low angle rescues an important skill set to master and accounts for why it was a focal point of the JTF-Bravo team’s training.

“Everywhere you go, the fire department is the same, it's a brother and sisterhood and we all love each other,” said Rico. “It's like one big family. So, seeing us all come together after a long training day. I think that was probably my favorite moment.”

While no additional training is scheduled yet, according to Rico, they are already thinking about what they can do if there’s a next time. 

“It'd be cool to set a fire and actually show them that all this hard work does pay off in the end if you put the right time into the fire lines,” said Rico. “For the rescue portion, we would like to give them a little more rappelling because that's what they really want to see. And for vehicle extrication, I think it's just getting comfortable with the tools and equipment that they use for those types of emergencies.”

Additionally on Dec. 10, 2024, the U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Javier Reina, U.S. Southern Command Deputy Commander for Mobilization & Reserve Affairs, visited the province of Dairen to unveil Panama's newest fire station that was donated through the SOUTHCOM humanitarian assistance program. 

Over the past 20 years, through U.S. SOUTHCOM, the United States has provided Panama with around $50 million in humanitarian assistance projects of this type. Ongoing and completed projects include constructing healthcare facilities and schools, donating medical equipment, search and rescue disaster preparedness training, and other types of humanitarian assistance. 

The Civil Affairs team coordinated the firefighter training and fire station donation between U.S. SOUTHCOM, the U.S. Embassy in Panama and the government of Panama.

“The Civil Affairs team is like a liaison between the locals and the [U.S.] military in the area,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Hector Mendoza, JTF-B Civil Affairs non-commissioned officer. “We get to talk to locals, visit their villages, see their towns and get to know the culture. All that helps strengthen our relationship and shows that we're here to support the country.” 

The Civil Affairs team conducts civil engagements and civil network development in order to improve DoD visibility within their area. This allows U.S. SOUTHCOM and JTF-B to develop partnerships with locals and government officials, and coordinate future operations in order to improve quality of life, and strengthen the host nation’s ability to respond to natural disasters.

“Because this area of Panama is so remote, they have a hard time getting ambulances and fire rescue,” said Mendoza. “This firehouse is going to be able to help the local population and cut down on the time for the surrounding towns to get help.

According to the U.S. Embassy, this fire station is expected to benefit approximately 22,000 people from Agua Fría 1, Agua Fría 2, Santa Fe, Metetí, Río Iglesias, Arimae, Quebrada Onda, Zapallal, Yaviza, Sansón and Sansoncito.

Whether it's training or humanitarian assistance, U.S. SOUTHCOM and JTF-Bravo are committed to their partnership with Panama and all countries within Central America. Successful events like these are what  allows JTF-Bravo to promote security and stability throughout the region.

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