Home sweet home for base firefighters

Firefighter Troy Smith fixes a cup of coffee in the kitchen of the new Keesler Fire Emergency Services Facility. A ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, preceded by tours starting at noon. The 50,000-square-foot facility is built to withstand 150 mph winds. It replaces a structure built in 1941 that was expanded 13 times and condemned after damage from Hurricane Katrina nearly five years ago. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Home sweet home for base firefighters

Information manager Patricia Oosterhuis works out on her lunch hour in the new Keesler Fire Emergency Services Facility. A ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, preceded by tours starting at noon. The 50,000-square-foot facility is built to withstand 150 mph winds. It replaces a structure built in 1941 that was expanded 13 times and condemned after damage from Hurricane Katrina nearly five years ago. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

New base fire station is larger, stronger, safer

Published June 17, 2010
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Nearly 70 years after Keesler's original fire station was built, the base unveils its new fire emergency services facility June 23.

From noon to 3 p.m., visitors may tour the new structure, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to Gary Pierson, deputy fire chief.

Thirteen additions were made to the former building since 1941, according to Fire Chief J.D. Donnett.

"The old station was built to withstand Category 2 hurricanes, but it was able to withstand many stronger storms, including Hurricane Camille, a Category 5 storm, back in 1969," Chief Donnett said.

"Then Hurricane Katrina came along almost five years ago, which caused the building to be condemned. During Katrina, with 32 firefighters in the station, we lost five roofs to decking and the hose tower roof came completely off."

The new station's windows, doors and roof are built to withstand 150 mph winds.

"The old station was too small and lacked many safety features required by the Department of Defense and National Fire Prevention Association for a modern crash fire rescue facility," he added.

The chief pointed out that the new station, with a $20 million price tag for construction and furnishings, serves more than 80 firefighters daily.

The 81st Training Wing usually has from 50 to 60 firefighters assigned at any one time, and the 30 firefighters from the 403rd Wing occupy their office in the station one weekend a month.

The new structure features 50,000 square feet of space under roof, with 16 truck bays, a self-contained breathing apparatus room, fire extinguisher maintenance room, mobility storage, two large training rooms, day rooms, a kitchen and dining area, an exercise room and several offices.

The 25 bunk rooms each accommodate two firefighters.

Keesler's new $1 million hardened fire control/911 center contains backup generators, security systems, advanced fire control systems, infectious disease control areas for contaminated gear, and separate locker rooms for personal belongings and personal protective equipment locker.

"In 25 years of service with DOD and civilian fire departments, I've never seen a finer facility for 'fire dawgs,'" Chief Donnett pointed out. "This is my fifth new fire station in 25 years in the U.S. and overseas -- the attention to detail, hardening, and quality of life features surpass anything I've encountered in my career.

"The men and women of the wing's fire emergency services flight are truly grateful to DOD, Air Force and Keesler leadership and all involved in providing the FES with this new home," he continued. "All Keesler firefighters, including chiefs, spend 60-72 hours a week at work in the fire station, so a quality home-away-from-home is the goal.

"We're manned 24/7/365 and we're double-staffed during hurricanes and other emergencies, so the added space is a huge plus."