Military firefighters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with different types found in each branch of service. On many military bases, different types of firefighters are employed, ranging from structure firefighters to ordinance and aircraft crash firefighters. On different types of ships, the navy has a variety of military firefighters. Navy aircraft carriers require not only ship-saving firefighters, but also firefighters trained in flight deck accidents and a team equipped and trained to fight fires below decks in a propulsion unit’s nuclear reactor.
Most military bases have all of the different fire threats that a large city would have. Military firefighters must be able to fight not only house or structure fires, but also downed aircraft, forest fires, and a variety of other fires. Because many fires are caused exploding munitions, military firefighters must contend with not only the fire but also the unexploded devices that lie in and around the burning fire. What types of firefighting units are stationed depends on the type of military base and the activities that take place there.
Several types of military firefighters are required at many air force bases, as well as naval bases and ships. They range from the most basic to the most advanced firefighter, capable of putting out plane crash fires, as well as fires involving unexploded munitions and bulk fuels. To be successful in all types of fires, these firefighters must be trained in both water and chemical firefighting techniques. Exotic materials used in aircraft construction often result in difficult-to-extinguish fires, which can also expose firefighters to harmful fumes and pose a risk of burns.
Basic firefighting techniques are taught to all members of a ship’s crew. This is because any ship is in grave danger from fire. Dedicated firefighters, on the other hand, are stationed on every ship and are primarily responsible for putting out fires. The atomic powered reactor, which is present on modern military ships, is a source of concern for firefighters. When fighting a fire on board a nuclear-powered vessel, knowing what not to cover with water is often just as important as knowing what to cover with water. These navy-type military firefighters are frequently cross-trained in nuclear propulsion in order to recognize and repair problems in the reactor room that, if left untreated, could jeopardize the entire ship.