Team AEDC Frontlines: Brian Barnes

  • Published
  • By Bradley Hicks
  • AEDC/PA

Editor’s note: The Team AEDC Frontlines series is a recurring feature that puts the spotlight on some of the members of Team AEDC on the “frontlines” supporting our mission, people and families during the COVID-19 crisis.

Brian Barnes is a firefighter with Arnold Air Force Base Fire and Emergency Services. Along with his regular duties of responding to fire and emergency incidents, including hazardous materials, confined space and medical emergencies, Barnes is also responsible for the maintenance and testing of air packs used by Arnold firefighters, breathing air sampling and pre-fire planning.  

Barnes, who has been at Arnold for more than 10 years, is among the members of Team AEDC who have continued to work on base throughout the Operationally Urgent posture and the phased Return to Full Force put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although changes implemented at Arnold as a result of the pandemic have not significantly impacted the firefighters’ work schedule, Barnes said the crew is cleaning the station more frequently, participating in temperature checks conducted twice a day, and maintaining social distancing to the best of their ability. He said firefighters wear protective masks when distancing of at least 6 feet cannot be maintained.  

“Emergency responders are essential every day of the year regardless of pandemics. I have never seen a day where firefighters and paramedics or police officers were not on duty. All diseases have an impact on how we respond, and new standards for response are developed every time a potential pandemic or new disease rears its head. Granted this has had the largest impact on our daily routine, it is not unusual for us to implement changes in how we respond to any given situation.”

Brian, thank you for all you do for Team AEDC!