Flight Line Safety Award Of Distinction - Brief Article

Airman 1st Class Raymond J. Impastato 509th Maintenance Squadron, 509th Bomb Wing Whiteman AFB, Mo.

Airmen Impastato distinguished himself by fighting and extinguishing a fire involving a portable ground heater inside the aerospace ground equipment maintenance facility. While a co-worker was troubleshooting the heating unit, Airman Impastato noticed uncontrolled burning inside the combustion chamber. He informed the technician about the fire who immediately began emergency shutdown procedures. At that instant, the overhead exhaust gas vent hose attached to the heating unit burst into flames. The fire engulfed the ductwork and began working back down towards the heating unit. Reacting quickly and calmly to the situation, Airman Impastato began combating the fire with a portable fire extinguisher. While performing this function, he instructed nearby personnel to activate the fire alarm and call the Fire Department. All personnel were safely evacuated while Airman Impastato continued fighting. He successfully extinguished the fire prior to the Fire Department arriving on scene. Due to his quick and decisive actions, Airman Impastato saved over 50 personnel from serious risk of injury or possible loss of life. In addition, he prevented the loss of a $60 million facility while minimizing total equipment damage to less than $200.

COPYRIGHT 2001 U.S. Department of the Air Force
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group