Shaw’s fire department’s upgrade

Fire trucks assigned to the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron are parked outside Shaw’s fire station at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., 1978, top, and Dec. 20, 2016, bottom. In 1978, 20th CES firefighters used P8 and P12 fire trucks, which had little to no electronic components and a 35-foot ladder that had to be removed from the trucks by hand. Shaw’s firefighting equipment has changed since 1978, but the 20th CES mission continues to be providing aid to Team Shaw personnel, working with the local community, and resource fire protection. Today’s firefighters use the P22 and P33 models, equipped with more technology such as built in iPads and an attached automatic 75-foot ladder in addition to a removable 35-foot ladder. (U.S. Air Force illustration by Airman 1st Class BrieAnna Stillman)