Langford Fire Rescue’s international fame now echoes in the halls of the U.S. Congress – or at least it has merited a passing mention.

Langford firefighters, Fresno’s Brotherhood of the Badge and four public safety officers from Afghanistan were honored by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. California congressman George Radanovich read short speech praising the bravery and tenacity of the Kabul-based officers and the training efforts of Fresno and Langford.

“A congressman put the Afghans, Fresno and the City of Langford into the official record,” said Langford fire Capt. Geoff Spriggs from Fresno on Friday. “It’s a big deal, especially for the Afghans.”

Four Langford firefighters spent last week in California, collaborating with Fresno fire and police officers to train their wide-eyed Afghan colleagues in a wide range of skills, including flashover and interior building firefighting and bomb disposal tactics.

Spriggs said none of the Afghan officers had ever been outside of their country, so touching down in Los Angeles was a bit of a culture shock. Their first meal was at an In-N-Out Burger – “some fine American cuisine,” Spriggs joked. Friday they were treated to a helicopter ride over the city and then the ultimate in Americana, the high school football game.

“Fresno fire and police have been extremely gracious hosts, they’ve really rolled out the red carpet,” Spriggs said. “The days have been long but the level of training has been excellent. (The Afghans) are really engaged.”

Langford firefighter Alex Anderson pointed out the Afghans officers were already largely familiar with breathing apparatus, turnout jackets and other firefighting equipment previously donated by Langford and Fresno in their separate humanitarian efforts.

Langford Fire Rescue has brought Afghan officers to Langford twice for training, twice including Kabul fire chief Atiqulla Jamshed, and that effort appears to be paying off.

“It’s evidence the train-the-trainer approach is working. It’s a good success and its not something we have the opportunity to check on,” Spriggs said. “It’s proof information we previously gave (to Atiqulla and others) is being taught in Afghanistan.

“They’re not perfect but their skill levels are improving and things are getting better. It’s a rewarding sign to see.”

Langford Coun. Denise Blackwell took time out of her holiday in California to visit the firefighters and build some goodwill ties between political counterparts in Fresno and the nearby community of Clovis.

“Clovis is a lot like Langford. It’s got a rodeo and it’s revitalizing its downtown,” Blackwell said from her ongoing vacation in Nevada. “There was a lot of ideas shared back and forth. There’s a lot of information to bring back to Langford.”

editor@goldstreamgazette.com