Photos

It was a dramatic scene at Moffett Field, as flames licked the edges of a red aircraft, and firefighters in shiny silver suits dragged limp forms from the inferno. Fortunately, the only casualties were dummies.

The NASA Ames Fire Department's three-day training session held last week looked pretty realistic, as firefighters in special suits designed for fighting aircraft fires hosed down the propane-fueled flames and rescued "victims." Fire departments from throughout Santa Clara County were invited to participate so that mutual aid partners would be ready to respond to aircraft incidents, said Rachel Hoover, a spokeswoman for NASA Ames Research Center. The training plane, complete with propane-fueled flames, came from Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Mich.

Photos by Michelle Le.

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.