A firefighter from the 19th Civil Engineer Squadron prepares a belay system during a fire rescue technician course April 16, 2014, at Jacksonville, Ark. The belay system is used to create a safety mechanism for firefighters when rappelling down buildings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica Condit)

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Senior Airman Alexander Spears, a 19th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, prepares to rappel from a burn building by having a safety check performed by a fellow firefighter April 16, 2014, at the Jacksonville Fire Department, in Jacksonville, Ark. More than 11 Team Little Rock firefighters attended the rescue technician course, totaling 23 certified rescue technicians. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica Condit)

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Senior Airman Justin Hanuschewics, a 19th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, hangs upside down from a burn building April 15, 2014, at the Jacksonville Fire Department, in Jacksonville, Ark. During the rescue technician course, Team Little Rock firefighters were instructed to hang upside down after rappelling halfway down the building, then finish rappelling to the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica Condit)

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An Airman from the 19th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department rappels down a wall with a simulated victim April 18, 2014, in Jacksonville, Ark. The Jacksonville Fire Department allows Airmen from base to use their training building to practice a multitude of life-saving exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Harry Brexel)

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A rescue instructor from the 312th Airlift Squadron civil engineer fire department, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Tex. trains Airmen from the 19th Airlift Wing civil engineer fire department April 18, 2014, Jacksonville, Ark. The Airmen practiced proper rappelling techniques as well as basket carries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Harry Brexel)

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19th CES firefighters turn up the heat in training

Published May 1, 2014
By 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark., -- Firefighters from the 19th Civil Engineer Squadron were hanging out at the Jacksonville Fire Department during their rescue technician course, rappelling down a burn building and zip-lining across roofs all while simulating rescues of fire victims. Because of the physical demands of the course, it is not mandatory training and only a few rescue technicians are hand-selected to attend the training every year. The 19th CES currently has 23 graduates from this tough course. Assistant Chief James Farrell, chief of training, said, "Our Airmen are simply the pride of the Rock."