GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE - Rather than spending time after school at an arcade, Airman 1st Class Zach Fontaine chose to make his home away from home during high school at a firehouse, which fostered his passion for becoming a skilled firefighter.
Fontaine recalls that he spent the bulk of his time growing up in central Indiana with firefighters, including his dad.
"His friends (fellow firefighters) became my unofficial uncles," Fontaine said.
Captivated by the care they had for one another and the competitiveness among each other, Fontaine knew he wanted to be part of a firefighter family.
"(Being a firefighter) is so much more than a job; it doesn't define you, but there's definitely a personality to it," Fontaine said.
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Beginning at age 15 he spent time at the firehouse, which eventually led to receiving high school credits due to a youth program. Then Fontaine taught high school cadets while working nights in a hospital emergency room as an emergency medical technician.
The one problem Fontaine had was that he needed to be at least 21 to get hired as a firefighter.
So, as his friends left for the military, one became part of a fire department, which inspired Fontaine to do the same.
There's an eagerness in Fontaine's eyes as he describes the purpose of a firefighter - "Provide public safety by preparation and training." Fontaine continues to pursue multiple certifications that allow him versatility to operate more and more vehicles. Like a standard firehouse, the fire department is responsible for the structural side, meaning residences and commercial buildings, but the department has the added job of aircraft emergencies.
The base firehouse, built in an L-shape, designates the south wing for structural equipment, such as standard pumpers. The wing facing west toward the flight line has larger equipment called Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting.
The ARFF trucks' height are noticeably taller, have four-wheel-drive capability and are equipped with commercial-loader-tractor sized tires.
Several vehicles on the aircraft emergency side also are equipped both with water and foam.
Reciting the science behind the use of foam, a substance used to fight fuel fires, Fontaine offers an insight into the intelligence and caution that firefighters must possess. All firefighters certified on a vehicle go through a lengthy process to know its specifications, capabilities and must drive a detailed obstacle course.
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But the vehicle that produces the biggest grin on Fontaine's face is the Striker, the "Cadillac" of aircraft emergency equipment. The truck resembles an oversized tank, but with shiny red paint.
The Striker is outfitted with computer-systems, infrared cameras and a telescoping boom. The boom contains a spike, which looks like a whale harpoon, that can be injected into the fuselage of an aircraft spraying more than 40 feet of water or foam and illuminate dangerous situations for firefighters.
Fontaine is studying to become certified on the Striker and will soon take his test and perform his walk-around and driving course.
He looks forward to deployment, which will allow him to perform the skills he's learned, as well as to travel and meet new people.
