For Marine Corps Installations Pacific, recently named the Department of Defense’s 2023 Fire Protection Program of the Year, the relationship between fire protection professionals and the communities they serve is fundamental.
Ulysses Taormina, regional fire chief for Marine Corps Installations Pacific Fire and Emergency Services, said families need to be given the tools and resources to prevent or respond to fires long before the first signs of smoke appear.
It begins, says Taormina, with the “unsung heroes” of the fire service: the fire inspectors.
“They’re the ones who do the public relations,” he said. “They’re the ones who go out and make sure buildings are built to code … and they make sure we stop things from happening.”
Marine Corps Installations Pacific F&ES, headquartered in Okinawa, Japan, provides firefighting, emergency medical care and fire protection services at locations throughout the region.
Taormina said the entire department not only ensures the security of the buildings and structures on bases, but also works tirelessly to support base families and provide fire and safety training as part of the first line of defense.
Many of these initiatives involve engaging school-age children from across the military and teaching them the basics of fire safety, starting with “stop, drop and roll.”
“We have a really extensive educational program that we bring into the schools,” he said, adding that their commitment also includes programs for elementary and high school students.
He said the awareness program not only provides an important opportunity to teach about fire safety, but is also an important way for firefighters to stay connected with the community they serve.
“It’s about community relations and building a community that is committed to fire safety,” Taormina said.
Last year, the Marine Corps Installations Pacific Fire Protection Team conducted more than 1,238 fire inspections at 1,363 installations, resulting in an annual inspection completion rate of 93%. They also organized 155 public education events reaching more than 9,000 people and conducted more than 560 fire evacuation drills with the participation of more than 36,000 personnel.
These achievements led to the Okinawa-based fire protection program being recognized in May as part of the 2023 DOD Fire and Emergency Services Awards.
Each year, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Facilities, and Environment recognizes three top performing fire departments at facilities around the world for their outstanding performance in mission support and fire protection management. In addition, one military firefighter, one civilian firefighter, one military fire officer, one civilian fire officer, and one fire department instructor are recognized for their outstanding job performance, innovation, and outstanding contributions to a Department of Defense R&D organization.
In addition, the ASD(EI&E) recognizes the Department of Defense’s best fire protection program based on its depth and breadth, effectiveness, educational value, and thoroughness in directly supporting the organization’s mission and facility resiliency.
In addition to Marine Corps Installations Pacific R&ES, several other departments and individuals were recognized for their 2023 achievements in multiple categories.
This includes:
- Fire Department of the Year – Small Category: 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, FE Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming;
- Fire Department of the Year – Medium Fire Department Category: Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan;
- Fire Department of the Year – Grand Category: 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada;
- Military Firefighter of the Year: Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Aircraft Handler First Class Petty Officer Anna Perez, Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy;
- Civilian Firefighter of the Year: Jeffry Frawley, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas;
- Military Fire Officer of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Michael E. Nalley Jr., Joint Base San Antonio, Texas;
- Civilian Fire Officer of the Year: Deputy Fire Chief Adam J. Montoya, U.S. Army Garrison Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany; and
- Firefighter Instructor of the Year: Interim Training Chief Tobias Lang, US Army Garrison Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Taormina said the recognition was a sign of humility, adding that the award reflects the Department of Defense’s commitment to security at the highest level.
“We are not doing it for recognition, but for the safety of the community,” he said.
Everyone in the department – from the fire inspectors to the firefighters and their Japanese partners – strives to serve their community every day, Taormina said.
“What I see day after day is nothing more than a family, a group of professionals who absolutely love their work,” he said.
“You’re on the job,” he said. “You’re not just on the job.”
