For Information And Discussion Purposes. How many of you had similar or close to the same experience ? Something that needs to discussed ? I started in 1962 in the USAF as a Crash Rescue Firefighter ,discharged in 1970 . As a proud firefighter I trained in ignorance as a Crash Rescue Specialist Firefighter under the following conditions stated herein .Whoa dont I know better now . If it was hazardous waste of any kind on the AF Base where I was stationed , it was placed in 55 gallon drums or 5 gallon cans and moved to the firefighting training drill pit area to be disposed of by the Base Fire Department. As Firefighters were ordered to dispose of the hazardous waste in training pit fires by burning it and extinguishing the waste for fire training purposes. As firefighters we would roll 55 drums and carry the hazardous waste 5 gallon cans into an earthen drill pit . We would then breach the drums and cans at the end with a aircraft crash axe and allow contents to flow into and fill the earthen training drill pit . The NCOIC would then light the pit fire and we the firefighters wearing our contaminated protective gear from the dumping operation ( sometimes the pants would catch on fire and burn the contaminated fuels off the protective pants when extinguishing the fire ) without any type of breathing apparatus what-so-ever we would extinguish the contaminated waste burning pit fire. Under the direction and knowledge of the Fire Department NCOs including the Fire Chief and the Officers above them . And many responsible Officers and NCOs on the AF Base . This destruction of the AF Base Hazardous and contaminated waste would be burned under repeated conditions maybe 6-8 times in a training session .Sometimes several times in a month . If you can imagine any type of hazardous waste on an Air Force Base of the time period we used it for training for examples : (too many to be noted here ) contaminated paint thinners , napalm waste , old vehicle batteries , old electric transformers , used motor oil , used hydraulic oils , transmissions fluids from motor vehicles , contaminated jet fuels ....... on and on . Without any type of breathing apparatus . ....... MY Personnel Results .Sever heart attack at age 46 years with major heart damage , prostrate cancer at age 60 years that has since metastasis into my blood stream , no cure available . Other medical problems . I pass this along for information purposes . Stay safe out there Brothers and Sisters May you rescue and save the lives of those in need that may in the peril of fire or need to be rescued . Continue to fight the fight and beat the hot ugly Beast AF Fire Dogs . YALL remain in my prayers . Charles B. , Retired
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 02:52:08 +0000
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