312th Training Squadron dedicates new firefighter trainer Published Sept. 5, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 312th Training Squadron hosted a dedication and open house for the new firefighter trainer Aug. 30. During the unveiling, Lt. Col. Derek Ferland, 312th TRS Commander, spoke about the new building. "Today we are celebrating the dedication of a $625,000 search trainer that'll serve thousands of future firefighters," said Ferland. "It symbolizes the essence of fire protection, which is team work. We use this trainer for numerous training objectives and every single one of those objectives is completed in groups of two or more." Col. Kimberlee Joos, 17th Training Wing Commander, christened the new firefighter trainer by breaking a bottle on the side of the building. After the commissioning, Col. Joos and Col. Brendan Harris, 17th Training Group Commander, simulated firefighter tactics by donning protective gear and breaking down a door with an axe and sledgehammer. Once the formal ceremony ended, 312th TRS students demonstrated how to use the trainer for search and rescue operations, ladder climbs and ventilation techniques.
