BEAUMONT, Texas — When we think of first responders, we usually think of police, fire, and EMS responding to incidents during our daily commutes.
However, there are lesser-known first responders in Southeast Texas who play a key role when local first responders need an extra hand.
While all first responders work long, grueling hours to keep the public safe, the Aircraft Rescue Firefighters of Jack Brooks and The Air Rescue Team out of St. Elizabeth's answer the call to action when local first responders cannot.
When disaster strikes on the runway, The Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighters of Jack Brooks are specifically equipped to respond within minutes.
"If an airplane crashes down, we have three minutes from the time we know it happens to get there and start extinguishing the fire, from jet fuel and hydraulic fuel to composite materials," said Chief and Operations Manager at Jack Brooks Airport Duke Youmans.
Youmans said his fellow Aircraft Rescue Firefighters do far more than just sit at the station waiting for disaster to strike the runway.
"We also fuel the aircrafts, tow aircrafts and put them up for the private sector," he said.
On top of regular training, The Aircraft Rescue Firefighters also play a key role in disaster relief and evacuations.
"Hurricanes, floods, whatever it may be," he said.
When emergency ground vehicles can't respond to an incident, another lesser-known group of first responders can get to a location from the air.
"In our area we don't have a burn center and we don't have pediatric areas for trauma and stuff, so we usually have to take those patients to Galveston or Houston," said Flight Nurse for Southeast Texas Air Rescue Alyson Smith.
Southeast Texas Air Rescue specializes in quickly serving the entire region no matter how far it may be from the nearest care.
"Hunting season is starting up so when you're out at that deer lease, whether you have a stroke, heart attack or you fall and you're injured, we're able to take you to a location to be taken care of," she said.
Smith and the rest of her crew know that preparation and critical thinking are key to keeping patients alive during air travel.
"We want the best for this area and we're glad to be here and help service the community," she said.
First Responder Appreciation Day takes place tomorrow so, if you're out and about, make sure to recognize all police, fire and EMS personnel for the long, grueling hours they put into keeping Southeast Texas safe.
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