Yokota firefighters celebrate 70 years of service

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Delano Scott
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE - Japan --  Base members gathered at the base's main fire station to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Yokota's fire emergency services October 24, 2015.

During the celebration, the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department gave the Yokota community an opportunity to have fun while learning important fire prevention tips.

This anniversary is especially noteworthy as it serves as a reminder that Airmen were fighting fires at Yokota before they were called Airmen. The formally known Yokota Army Air Base Fire Department was established two years prior to the Air Force being recognized as a separate service.

Though many things about the fire department have changed since 1945, the strong working relationship between U.S. and Japanese firefighters has withstood the test of time.
 
"We have been working alongside our host nation since the inception of the department," said Tech. Sgt. Stephen Sanabria, 374th CES firefighter. "In addition, we have also been mutual aid partners with the off base fire departments for over 50 years."
 
  The countless dangers of fire mishaps keep the firefighters' bond strong. What may start as an on-base fire could potentially spread off base, or vise-versa. Yokota's fire emergency services recognized early on that successful fire prevention was dependent on a strong relationship between Yokota and local townships.

"This past year alone we've trained with the Fussa, Mizuho and Akishima city fire departments," Sanabria said, mentioning 3 of 5 cities that border the base. "We have and will continue to exercise with every township in the local area."
 
  Yokota and surrounding fire stations each bring something unique and critical to the mission.
 
"Each entity that we train alongside possesses something we don't [including] aerial firefighting, specialized rescue teams, etc.," Sanabria said. "Fortunately, by training with our partners on a continual basis, we've ensured that our guys are well equipped to stand and fight, on or off base, with our partners."

Tetsuaki Nihei, a 374th Civil Engineer Squadron fire emergency services crew chief, revealed that he has been working alongside Yokota Airmen for 25 years.

"There is no wall between us," said Nihei. "This is my normal, everyday life. I don't face my coworkers and say 'oh, you're an American firefighter' or 'you're a Japanese firefighter.' Our goal is all the same - saving someone's life, saving property ... it doesn't matter if you're Japanese or American. If you're in trouble, everyone here is working to save you."