2nd Annual Rookie Firefighter Challenge Published Nov. 15, 2006 By Airman 1st Class Luis Loza Gutierrez Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 312th Training Squadron hosted the 2nd Annual Rookie Fire Fighter Challenge Saturday at the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy training grounds. Approximately 250 people attended the 6-hour long event. "The event was organized to promote esprit de corps among our firefighter students and to show the base populace part of what we do here at the fire academy and give them a chance to participate," said Lt. Col. Mark Zimmerhanzel, 312 TRS commander. "The event was also designed to raise awareness and interest in the fire fighter challenges that the SAM Squad (Goodfellow's firefighter challenge team) competes in," he added. The Challenge featured a student and base team category for the competition relay. The Marines Alpha team took first place in the student category the Army student team and Air Force Alpha team taking second and third place respectively. The 17th Training Group took first in the base team category followed by the 17th Mission Support Group. The base legal office took third place in the relay despite only having 4 out of 5 players in the relay competition. The event also featured a rescue technology expo. Firefighters from surrounding towns got the chance to see and try out some of the new fire and rescue technology available at the fire school. The commander identified two members from the Fire Academy that were key in organizing the event. The main point of contact was Staff Sgt. Robert Fisher, who is a member of the SAM squad. Other key people were Tech. Sgt. Daryl Hogan and Master Sgt. William Bockelman and Sgt. Stephen Graham from the Marine Corps. The event also included a moon jump/slide for children and a sumo wrestling area.
