LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
During the day-to-day task of monitoring third country national contractors, something extraordinary happened to a deployed Airman from Langley in November.
While performing his duties, Airman 1st Class Darrell Cousin noticed sparks and smoke coming from a ceiling fixture inside a trailer where contractors and Airmen were sleeping and working. He immediately pulled the fire alarm and went door to door to make sure everyone was out of their rooms.
"It happened so quick. I had to rely on instincts," he said.
Airman Cousin, an aviation resource management journeyman with the 94th Fighter Squadron, was one in a group of Airmen who noticed the smoke and sparks. Together, they evacuated 60 people out of the trailer and made sure every room was empty before leaving.
According to Airman Cousin, his main goal after pulling the fire alarm was to ensure the building was evacuated.
"The adrenaline was pumping, my heart pounding and my mind was racing," Airman Cousin said. "I just wanted to get everyone out."
"Reaction time and quick thinking helped me react the way I did," said Airman Cousin. Skills he uses in Aviation Resource Management, such as attention to detail, helped him know what to do. He gained these skills "in the course of time," he said.
Once everyone was out, he kept an eye on the trailer to ensure the fire didn't spread until the rescue team arrived, and then he showed them where the arcing and smoke was coming from. The response team took care of the hazard and the building was saved. No lives were lost.
When his supervisor, Staff Sgt. David Proctor, heard what happened he was astonished but not surprised because he knew that this was how Airman Cousin would react.
"They way he carried himself and accomplished his work on a day-to-day basis, I knew if he didn't go they would be missing out on a good Airman," said Sergeant Proctor, "The way he reacted was expected."
"I don't feel too proud because it wasn't just me," Airman Cousin said. "It was a whole group of us and I felt I was just doing what I was supposed to."