Firefighter trains Iraqis to battle fires

[UsaPride]

Don't know where to put this.
Local boy

Gordon is working to improve the Iraqi firefighting service. He has helped coordinate $250 million in training and fire equipment contracts for the country's fire departments. He also supervised the purchase of 20 Japanese fire trucks and 12,000 sets of firefighter gear. ''This is equipment that they didn't have or would never have seen," Gordon said.

He also helped secure a $27 million contract to train Iraqi firefighters. He is one of the facilitators of a program that teaches American firefighting techniques. The Iraqi firefighters will take the training back to their stations and train others.

''This training program is a first in that it replicates to an extent the basic skills required to operate on the ground that might be taught at a weekend fire seminar. It places the burden of responsibility of training on the Iraqis," he said.

The majority of his day is spent dealing with food and water issues in Iraq. ''We have made significant leaps and bounds getting water to people that may not have had it before," Gordon said.

Since the transition of power to Iraqis last month, Gordon's job has not changed. He said he believes the changeover will eventually make his job easier. ''Information between us and the Iraqis will hopefully flow a lot smoother and allow for us to work more closely together," he said.

Gordon said he had accomplished a lot in Iraq, but the American people would never know it based on news reports. ''You just hear the bad things. The good things outweigh the bad things 99 to 1," he said.

Surprised? Um, no!
http://www.fortbraggnc.com/story.php?Template=war&Story=6416576

 

[Annie]

Don't know where to put this.
Local boy



Surprised? Um, no!
http://www.fortbraggnc.com/story.php?Template=war&Story=6416576

I'd say that's "More good news out of Iraq"!
:clap1: