Firefighter Sheppard AFB

• Origins and Mission: The Sheppard Air Force Base Fire Department was established to provide fire protection and emergency services for one of the Air Force’s largest technical training bases, located in Wichita Falls, Texas. • Training Partnership: Sheppard AFB is home to the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy, which trains all DoD firefighters, including those for the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. • International Students: The base regularly trains allied military firefighters from around the world, helping standardize firefighting protocols among NATO and allied nations. • Historic Response: In 1979, Sheppard AFB firefighters played a key role in responding to the tornado that struck Wichita Falls, providing rescue and fire suppression assistance to the local community. • Aircraft Firefighting: Firefighters at Sheppard AFB specialize in aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) due to the volume of flight training missions conducted at the base. • Unique Training Props: The fire academy uses realistic mock-ups of aircraft and structural fires, including a two-story burn building and a full-size aircraft fuselage, for hands-on training. • 24/7 Operations: The firefighting unit operates round-the-clock, responding to emergencies on the airfield, in base housing, and in industrial areas of Sheppard AFB. • Advanced Technology: The department employs state-of-the-art firefighting vehicles, such as the P-23 ARFF truck, and thermal imaging cameras to improve safety and efficiency. • Community Engagement: Sheppard AFB firefighters run public education programs, visiting local schools and hosting open houses to promote fire safety. • Awards and Recognition: The Sheppard AFB Fire Department has received multiple Air Force-level awards for excellence in fire prevention, emergency response, and firefighter training.