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Scott firefighter reflects on relief efforts in Haiti after Joint Task Force Haiti stands down

  • Published
  • By Steve Berry
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Joint Task Force Haiti, the military group assigned to humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti, officially stood-down Tuesday, and most military members left the country.

Master Sgt. Bradley Beaty, of Scott Air Force Base, departed Haiti the first week in May, after working in the country since Jan. 29. He is a firefighter with the 375th Civil Engineer Squadron.

In Haiti, Sergeant Beaty worked with other Air Force firefighters, civil engineer Airmen and members of the Joint Task Force to relieve suffering, and stabilize and rebuild Haiti's infrastructure, including firefighting services. Haiti was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake Jan. 12.

While supporting Operation Unified Response as a member of Joint Task Force Haiti, Sergeant Beaty worked on many projects.

One of the most daunting, but most rewarding he said, was searching for casualties in the collapsed Hotel Montana. He helped search for Air Force pilot Lt. Col. Ken Bourland, U.S. Southern Command, who was staying at Hotel Montana on official business when the earthquake struck, and was among the casualties.

Also after arriving in Haiti, Sergeant Beaty and his teammates set up a fire department on the Toussaint Louverture airfield in addition to the existing fire station that was not equipped for the immense increase in air traffic.

In addition, Sergeant Beaty and the Air Force firefighters provided extra training for Haitian firefighters using an abandoned, but intact, Boeing 727. Sergeant Beaty and his team taught the correct techniques for spraying down the plane, entering the plane, and firefighting inside the aircraft. Sergeant Beaty also organized a firefighter's challenge, which provided a fun way for American and Haitian firefighters to keep their skills sharp.
"Working with fire departments from other parts of the world is always a rewarding experience," Sergeant Beaty said. "We got to work with the Canadians out there at the Hotel Montana, and during our down time we were able to discuss different techniques and the way we do business. Also, being heavily involved with the Haitian Fire Department was a rewarding experience as well. Firefighting is the same job no matter where you do it in the world, and so there is a brotherhood that is there."

In addition to training, Air Force firefighters also distributed firefighting supplies to the Haitians. Sergeant Beaty said a company called Protect the Force donated between $600,000 and $800,000 worth of firefighting equipment.

"It started out as what looked like a really easy task," Sergeant Beaty said. "As the donations grew it became a larger donation than what we had originally thought it was going to be. It ended up being two sea containers that looked like 18-wheeler trailer boxes."

The firefighters planned on receiving the delivery one day and distributing the supplies the following day.

"Just like anything in Haiti--you had to be flexible." he said. "We received the containers the same day we were going to issue out."

With firefighters and civil engineer Airmen joining together, they were able to get the supplies unloaded and distributed all in one day.

Sergeant Beaty was involved with other efforts as well.

He helped reduce dust in the air at humanitarian aid distribution points by spraying down the area.

"With the trucks rolling back and forth they created a lot of dust," he said.

Sergeant Beaty also helped remove rubber build-up from the runway by delivering water.
"When a plane lands, it leaves some of the rubber from its tires on the runway. Over time, and many aircraft landings, that actually builds up and becomes a slick spot on the runway."

Sergeant Beaty and firefighters from nine other bases provided firefighting services for the entire Toussaint Louverture airfield and the displaced persons camp in Port-au-Prince.

He responded to two electrical fires. One was near tent city, and the other was at the Toussaint Louverture airport terminal.

Sergeant Beaty and his co-workers also responded to two refuse fires. One fire was near a humanitarian aid distribution point and the other was near tent city.

"For all those firefighters to come together and make one fire department there at Port-au-Prince airport, and do the mission we did, added to it being the positive experience that it could be," Sergeant Beaty said. "Often we train to go to war and help liberate countries, and this time we got to go in and help a country during a time of peace, and it was a great experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat."