During the week of Monday, June 7, through Friday, June 11, members from Moody Air Force Base’s 38th Rescue Squadron partnered with the Valdosta Fire Department for a week-long training session.

The department and squadron assisted each other in refreshing their skills in vehicle extrication, collapsed structures, and rope scenarios. As both groups often implement these strategies out in their perspective fields, this training benefited both organizations and helped to strengthen the already existing relationship.

By teaming up to complete this training, it gave firefighters and airmen a different perspective and approach when tackling strenuous tasks.

Staff Sergeant for the 38th, Neil Toland, emphasizes this by saying, “We can work together, bounce ideas off each other, and see what works best. The Fire Department has their strategies, and we have ours so we can melt our ideas and learn from each other.” Staff Sergeant Toland would like to see the partnership between the two agencies continue and greatly appreciate VFD’s assistance and support.

The same can be said for the Fire Department as they too enjoy working with outside agencies. “It is always beneficial working with outside agencies. We pick up new skills, as do they, and we develop new techniques to help accomplish the mission,” said Valdosta Fire Sergeant Nick Bishop. This can be especially valuable when working on a task like a vehicle extrication, where there are usually only a few short minutes to react.

The City of Valdosta and the 38th Rescue Squadron will continue their support of one another and hope to work together on training again in the future.