MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Marine Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting leaders place cones strategically to simulate a raging fire, then a swarm of Marines storms the scene, washing the area with a powerful stream of water.
These Marines train daily in scenarios similar to this and are always on standby to serve in case of an emergency.
“It is kind of like football,” said Sgt. Jeson Coleman, a rescue man with ARFF and a Cleveland native. “You practice, practice, practice and once you get out onto the field you execute flawlessly.”
Their leaders agree.
“These guys could do it blind folded,” said Sgt. Pedro Morales, an assistant section leader with ARFF and an El Paso, Texas, native.
ARFF Marines are trained and certified in many incident types such as airway breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, emergency childbirth, rescuing pilots and fire control.
The ARFF section leaders know that they have to prepare their Marines for every situation.
“When they get out there they have to know what is going on,” said Staff Sgt. Phillip Andrado, a section leader and a Houston native. “There is a million what ifs out there, and we have to be prepared for them.”
One Marine, who comes from a family of firefighters, explained that he feels like his job is the greatest thing he could ever do.
“With being a Marine and a firefighter, I feel like I am giving back in two different ways,” said Coleman.
Coleman has a place in his heart for the firefighters who lost their lives during 9/11, and explained how he can give back to them.
“Ever since 9/11, just like any other American, I felt that devastating blow,” said Coleman. “Three hundred forty three firefighters [and paramedics] from New York passed away, and 9/11 drives me to honor those who died every single day.”
The daily training evolutions the Marines complete teach them the importance of their job through the section leaders’ experiences.
“It allows us to pass on our knowledge to younger Marines,” said Coleman. “This training allows us to evaluate our younger Marines, and it brushes them up on their skills.”
Coleman looks to continue his career as a firefighter for years to come by using the valuable skills he has learned as an ARFF member aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.