Reservist's incident commander experience helpful following killer tornado

by Master Sgt. Chris A. Durney
22nd AF, Det 1. Public Affairs

5/6/2014 - LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark -- Christopher Gimbert's military training and Air Force Reserve experience helped him focus on commanding efforts to save lives and secure the scene in the aftermath of a killer tornado that ripped through central Arkansas April 27.

The 35-year-old Air Force Reservist and volunteer firefighter stood outside of his Natural Steps, Arkansas, home and watched the deadly funnel form on Pinnacle Mountain, just across picturesque Lake Maumelle. When he realized it was headed right for his small community, and nearby Roland, he and his family took refuge.

It missed his house, but not 11 nearby homes before going on to devastate Mayflower and Vilonia. "We could hear the freight train, but we didn't feel as much pressure from it," said Gimbert, who is a member of the Lake Maumelle Volunteer Fire Department and a full-time radio account executive.

As soon as the storm passed, his military senses and firefighting experience kicked in, and he soon found himself as the incident commander. It was his first experience with a tornado. It was a big step up from car crash scenes.

"I went outside just as the captain of the [volunteer] fire department drove up. We drove out to immediately see what had happened," said Gimbert. "At first we thought that everything looked good, that we were good, but then we popped over a hill and there it was. Trees and [power] lines spaghettied everywhere, and we could see one house in the distance that was mostly gone. I took command of the scene and the captain started working, and it was just 'wow.'"

Gimbert has been a firefighter for 17 years, and honed his skills during more than six years as a U.S. Navy Damage Controlman (firefighter). For the past two years he has served as a traditional Reservist in the 22nd Air Force, Detachment 1, at Little Rock Air Force Base.

"The military experience worked for me more than anything, being able to give orders and stay very structured," said Gimbert.

According to Gimbert, among the 11 damaged homes, he and his crew had to perform four search and rescue operations.

"One of them I personally did," said Gimbert. "It was the worst of the houses and everybody was fine. They were working their way out of their safe room as I got to them. It was a quarter-mile hike up a hillside and because of all of the down trees it was very difficult getting to them."

Over the 24 hour operation, the reservist only got one hour of sleep. "I ran command for the first three hours and then I turned command over to get some rest. I had joint command for the rest of the time," said Gimbert.

"We made our response quickly and got everything coordinated," said Gimbert. "We got the lines removed and the lanes opened, and got full power restored to the area in about 24 hours. We had 50 people total that I was working with, including 10 to 15 firefighters

"I've been a firefighter for a very long time and I have great military experience so I don't get freaked out," said Gimbert calmly. "I was very delegative in what I was doing."