Djiboutian firefighters learn the ropes at U.S. camp

[unhappycamper]

Instructor Alex Vinces, standing at left, and fire chief Desi Wade, rear, watch as firefighting recruits work with the fire hose during a training exercise Sunday on Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.


Djiboutian firefighters learn the ropes at U.S. camp
By Zeke Minaya, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, January 2, 2008

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti — Fighting fire on Camp Lemonier is an international affair.

The fire crew for the base that is home to the Combined Jointed Task Force – Horn of Africa has members from Latin America, Asia and North America.

That roster will make room for full-fledged firefighters from Africa after 13 recruits from Djibouti complete their training.

When establishing a U.S. base overseas, the local fire station is typically manned by the nationals from the hosting country, said Desi Wade, 36, Camp Lemonier fire chief.

When the call went out for recruits in Djibouti, 500 applicants showed up, he said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51368