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I noticed in another thread that someone asked about Iraq's fire departments. As an Army firefighter, 2 others and myself were asked to assist a Civil Affairs unit with rebuilding some of the local fire departments in our area of operations. Now, being a firefighter on our base is pretty quiet. We're a little further north than Baghdad, and there is a lot of "enemy activity" around here, but not a lot of fires. So, I jumped at the chance.
Before the war, there was a thread stating that Iraqi firefighters are part of the military. Not really. They are part of civil defense, along with the police. What I found shocking, was that communities of 30-70,000 population often had NO fire departments at all. Communities with 100,000 population to 200,000 had 1 station and maybe 2 trucks. Most of the trucks are old and worn out. 1 station did have a new French made pumper that was given to them by Baghdad.
It appears that during Saddam's days, fire protection was at the bottom of the priority list. The cities we've been to with fire departments had very poor equipment. The firefighters on the other hand, appeared to be very motivated. There are some that are there just becasue it's a paying job, but most of them enjoy being firefighters. Most firefighters in our area attended a training school in northern Iraq. Training consisted mostly of European style firefighting but seemed very complete. The school had structural training, first aid and rescue. The school was about a month and a half long.
The fire stations are in ruin, most trucks sit outisde, very little equipment is available, and NO ONE has bunker gear or airpacks. The firefighters are aware they need equipment, but with no budget, they can't buy anything. They make about $120 a month. The chief makes about $180. These guys often take money from thier own pockets to purchase fuel for the fire apparatus, or get needed station supplies.
The fire apparatus are mostly made in China and are old and worn out. One station got lucky with the Baghdad donation, but they are protecting a community 200,000 with 1 truck. Suprisingly, they don't have a lot of fires. The previous city had 45 fires last year.
Fire fighting tactics would make even an old leather lung cringe. These guys will do interior attack, they simply spray each other, run in until they can't stand it anymore, then come back out.
I have talked with the firefighters (through an interpreter) at great length. The majority of these men became firefighters because of the job. They wanted to help. Many of these men were former military, one was even a MIG 23 pilot during the Iran/Iraq war. Some of you may now be thinking "to hell with them". BUT you would have to be in this country and listen to these men and the ramifications of NOT serving Saddam. And if you're wondering, yes, they are happy he's gone.
The terminology we use in the US is understood here. The interpreter couldn't even comprehend waht we were saying, but he'd translate it anyway, and the firefighters knew what we were talking about. These guys appear very dedicated to their job. When the war started, many of these men came in and manned the station in the event a stray rocket slammed into a home. They simply wanted to protect thier city. We have been back and forth to these stations numerous times helping with equipment purchases and station upgrades. Initially, they were apprehensive of us, but after they found out we are Army Reserve Firefighters, and firefighters in civilian life, we were welcomed into thier station. Now, when we go back, we are greeted warmly, and even guys off duty stop by if they see our vehicles there. Not once have I felt threatened by any of them. Now, the drive to get there can be a little hairy, but I'm in the Army and that's what I get paid for. that's about it. I don't get on a computer much, but I'll try to answer questions when I'm back.
Before the war, there was a thread stating that Iraqi firefighters are part of the military. Not really. They are part of civil defense, along with the police. What I found shocking, was that communities of 30-70,000 population often had NO fire departments at all. Communities with 100,000 population to 200,000 had 1 station and maybe 2 trucks. Most of the trucks are old and worn out. 1 station did have a new French made pumper that was given to them by Baghdad.
It appears that during Saddam's days, fire protection was at the bottom of the priority list. The cities we've been to with fire departments had very poor equipment. The firefighters on the other hand, appeared to be very motivated. There are some that are there just becasue it's a paying job, but most of them enjoy being firefighters. Most firefighters in our area attended a training school in northern Iraq. Training consisted mostly of European style firefighting but seemed very complete. The school had structural training, first aid and rescue. The school was about a month and a half long.
The fire stations are in ruin, most trucks sit outisde, very little equipment is available, and NO ONE has bunker gear or airpacks. The firefighters are aware they need equipment, but with no budget, they can't buy anything. They make about $120 a month. The chief makes about $180. These guys often take money from thier own pockets to purchase fuel for the fire apparatus, or get needed station supplies.
The fire apparatus are mostly made in China and are old and worn out. One station got lucky with the Baghdad donation, but they are protecting a community 200,000 with 1 truck. Suprisingly, they don't have a lot of fires. The previous city had 45 fires last year.
Fire fighting tactics would make even an old leather lung cringe. These guys will do interior attack, they simply spray each other, run in until they can't stand it anymore, then come back out.
I have talked with the firefighters (through an interpreter) at great length. The majority of these men became firefighters because of the job. They wanted to help. Many of these men were former military, one was even a MIG 23 pilot during the Iran/Iraq war. Some of you may now be thinking "to hell with them". BUT you would have to be in this country and listen to these men and the ramifications of NOT serving Saddam. And if you're wondering, yes, they are happy he's gone.
The terminology we use in the US is understood here. The interpreter couldn't even comprehend waht we were saying, but he'd translate it anyway, and the firefighters knew what we were talking about. These guys appear very dedicated to their job. When the war started, many of these men came in and manned the station in the event a stray rocket slammed into a home. They simply wanted to protect thier city. We have been back and forth to these stations numerous times helping with equipment purchases and station upgrades. Initially, they were apprehensive of us, but after they found out we are Army Reserve Firefighters, and firefighters in civilian life, we were welcomed into thier station. Now, when we go back, we are greeted warmly, and even guys off duty stop by if they see our vehicles there. Not once have I felt threatened by any of them. Now, the drive to get there can be a little hairy, but I'm in the Army and that's what I get paid for. that's about it. I don't get on a computer much, but I'll try to answer questions when I'm back.
RAY WAS HERE 08/28/05
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