Firefighters earn bragging rights

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Laura Goodgame
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE,Mo. --  Senior Airman Timothy Vanden Haak, an emergency rescue Airman from Whidbey Island, Wash., placed 11th in the tandem competition World Firefighter challenge XX Nov. 19, 2011 at Myrtle Beach, S.C. Vanden Haak competed against 485 firefighters and finished the course in 1.33.17. Vanden Haak is assigned to the 509th Civil Engineer Squadron, Fire Protection Flight at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.

"I followed in my father Henry Vanden Haak's footsteps, a civilian chief firefighter in Oak Harbor, Wash.," said Vanden Haak. "I felt it was in my blood to give back to my community while striving for perfection in everything I do."

The firefighter combat challenge requires maximum effort in minimal time as it simulates the exertion needed to fight a fire and rescue a victim on a timed course. Air Force fire fighters competed against their peers from Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States.

"Qualifying to compete in World Firefighter Challenge was no easy feat," said Vanden Haak, "I have competed in roughly 45 regional events with my Whiteman peers Staff Sgt. Derrick Allen, Airman 1st Class Anthony Beaudry, Master Sgt. Mark Belton, and Christopher Finkes, and finding funding to go to all the events is not always easy."

The Whiteman firefighters held several car wash fundraisers to raise enough money to be able to travel to the spread-out regional events.

Finkes, fire team captain, keeps the team in shape with lots of circuit training and daily workout routines. With the increasing complexity of modern industrialized life come greater hazards. These hazards have increased the skills needed for firefighting and have broadened of the firefighter rescuer remit.

The Air Force operates in an environment unlike any other, and therefore needs firefighters un like any other. Between the workouts and the competitions, the Whiteman Fire Protection Airmen keep their lifesaving skills sharply honed.

The Whiteman team established their place at the world firefighter combat challenge by taking home the second place silver medal. The team also earned bragging rights as well as community recognition among the Whiteman Fire Protection Airmen proving they are fit to save a life.

"Fire protection is intense but very rewarding, as not only you'll be putting out fires, but you'll also be saving lives and giving back to the community," said Vanden Haak.