Washington and Bunyan firefighters conduct live aircraft
fire training with help from Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station (May 11, 2005)

Local firefighters, in groups of three, practice extinguishing an aircraft fire using Cherry Point Marine Air Corps Station's Mobile Aircraft Fire Training Device, a portable simulated aircraft. The training took place April 29-30 in Washington with personnel from Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS and Bunyan Volunteer Fire Department. (photo by Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS)

Washington area firefighters have received help from the Cherry Point Marine Air Corps Station in training to fight aircraft fires.

MACS Cherry Point's Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Division provided its Mobile Aircraft Training Device for use in live fire training for 19 firefighters from Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS and Bunyan Volunteer Fire Department on April 30 in Washington.

The mobile aircraft fire training device is a self-contained unit that can be transported to a training area. The simulated aircraft is equipped to provide numerous firefighting and rescue scenarios so the firefighting team under instruction will be able to attain and maintain proficiency in emergency response to aircraft mishaps.

The live fire training was arranged by Washington Fire Rescue and EMS in conjunction with Beaufort County Community College.
Working in teams of three and wearing full turnout gear, including self-contained breathing apparatuses, firefighters practiced extinguishing fires in different locations of the simulated aircraft, including wings, fuselage, wheels, flight deck, galley and cargo areas.

During the training the MAFTD commander lights live propane-fueled fires in multiple configurations. The fires create non-toxic/nonflammable smoke. Numerous safety precautions, including multiple gas shut off valves, are built into the training device.

F. Ray Moore Oil Company donated all the fuel and propane for the training exercise, including diesel fuel for the MAFTD's return to Cherry Point. Training was conducted on the old shirt factory property at East Fourth and MacNair streets, which is now owned by Metropolitan Business Development.