LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
With the sudden sound of an alarm, hands began searching frantically for gear. Boots, helmets and gloves were strewn across the cold, concrete floor. Every movement made was motivated by a sense of purpose - this was the very moment they had been preparing for.
Surrounded by fire trucks and spectators, members of Team 1 hurriedly donned their bunker gear, letting the adrenaline take over as they rushed over to a fire hose.
At the fire department on Langley Air Force Base, Va., team members, paired with chaplains, cheered each other on as they executed the first fire department Chaplain's Challenge, Nov. 1, 2012.
"The intent of the Chaplain's Challenge was to help us learn what our Airmen do in a particular department in a fun, competitive way," said Chaplain Capt. David Barns, 633rd Air Base Wing chaplain. "They test their job knowledge in a competitive environment, and they're handicapped with a chaplain on each team, teaching us what they do."
Although this is the first time the Chaplain's Challenge has been done with the fire department, it has already been done with several other agencies on base, said Barns. The feedback from the Chaplain's Challenge is always positive, he said.
The chaplains spent the day going through the process of being a firefighter. From getting fitted with gear, to learning to throw a fire hose and tying equipment, the training the chaplains received from their fire department teammates was sure to prepare them for a successful challenge.
"By that time, what we've done is developed relationships with the Airmen," said Barns. "The objective is - by them getting to know us, they feel more comfortable calling us for counseling, or whatever might be going on. They feel comfortable asking us the questions they can't ask anyone else."
In this particular challenge, members of the fire department were split in teams of two, each one having a chaplain on their team. The challenge was geared around time-sensitive duties of the fire department. The challenge began with "bunkering out," where the team had 60 seconds to don all of their protective bunker gear.
Through the various stations, teammates and spectators cheered their teams on, keeping a close eye on the clock. As the teams made it to the last event of the challenge, laughter rang out as the chaplains tried to knock a basketball off of an orange hazard-cone, using minimal water pressure from a fire hose.
"It was challenging," said Barns. "I was surprised how much energy it took to use the hose!"
After the last challenge, both teams and observers enjoyed a pizza social in the kitchen, where the losing team had to serve the wining team.
"They like the camaraderie that builds with it," said Chaplain Capt. Michael McDonald, 633rd Air Base Wing chaplain. "This also breaks down the barriers. If they've got an issue, they feel more comfortable talking to us later on, as we're the helping agency that you can come to and feel safe."
According to Senior Airman Antonio Blackwell, 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, the objectives and sentiments of the chaplains definitely came across through the competition.
"We had good participation, and everyone enjoyed themselves," said Blackwell. "It builds morale and makes it easier to come to the chaplain."
It is the nature of any competition to have a winning and losing team, but after an event such as the Chaplain's Challenge, it is clear that no matter what the outcome, the experience is both rewarding and uplifting for all those involved.
"It was nice to break up the monotony of our usual training with something fun," said Airman 1st Class Kyle Rogers. "It was a great experience, and I'd definitely like for them to bring it here again."
For anyone interested in bringing the Chaplain's Challenge to their group or squadron, contact the Chapel at 757-764-7847.