Marine Corps Base Fire Department responded to a fire

Marine Corps Base Fire Department responded to a fire in Chatan, located outside of Camp Foster, at the request of the Japanese police Oct. 26. MCB firefighters were providing support for the Chatan Fire Department, according to Harry W. Farmer, Jr., deputy assistant chief of staff with G-3/5, MCB Camp Butler. “Our crews worked side-by-side with host-nation firefighters. Our trucks supported theirs, and their trucks supported ours,” said Scott Minakami, the MCB Fire Department fire chief. The fire started in Daiwa Electrical Warehouse, an electronic warehouse off base, and spread to surrounding buildings. The MCB Fire Department dispatched two fire engines and three support vehicles. Camp Foster’s Provost Marshal’s Office also responded with two vehicles, which helped control traffic and kept nearby civilians at a safe distance. The response demonstrated the success of a mutual aid agreement with Chatan. “We have a great working relationship with the local fire departments near installations. [The] response was a textbook definition of how well that relationship works,” Minakami said.