Laughlin firefighter wins AETC civilian firefighter award

by Senior Airman Nathan Maysonet
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

3/17/2014 - LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas  -- A Laughlin firefighter was named the Air Education and Training Command's 2013 Civilian Firefighter of the Year.

Miguel Chacon, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron lead firefighter, was selected for the honor from amongst his peers across AETC for his skills, lifesaving work and the training he provides his fellow firefighters in firefighting techniques.

"I'm humbled by the selection, but I've never been one for attention," said Chacon. "I just do my job, I don't chase medals. Just give me stuff to do, and I'll do it."

Chacon is a native of Eagle Pass, Texas, and began his career as an Air Force firefighter in 1998 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. In 2002 he was stationed at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, where he worked as a tech school instructor before leaving the service and joining the base's civilian run fire house in 2006. Four years later, Chacon jumped at the opportunity to join Laughlin's fire house.

"I always wanted to be closer to home, so I saw the opening at Laughlin and took it," said Chacon. "It's taken time to get used to working with military firefighters again, but it makes an older civilian like me feel young again since there is always something going on."

Since arriving at Laughlin, Chacon has worked as a driver operator where his number one concern each day is to ensure his fire engine is equipped and ready for the variety of emergencies the responders may face, and that they arrive quickly and safely to their destination, explained Chacon.

"I've responded to all manner of situations at Laughlin helping to save lives and protect property," said Chacon. "A couple of in-flight emergencies and a few medical calls are all in a day's work."

In addition to his life saving work with the department, Chacon is best known by his coworkers as an expert instructor who has brought his years of teaching at the school house with him to Laughlin.

"Chacon goes out of his way to train airmen and to make sure they know their jobs inside and out," said Olin Jensen, 47th CES station chief. "He seeks out those around him who are in need of help rather than waiting for people to seek him out after something goes wrong."

It's these things that have led to Chacon's selection as AETC's Civilian Firefighter of the Year.

"Honestly, I just do my job while maintaining high standards for myself," said Chacon. "I wish everyone around me the best and work to help them succeed. I want to use what I know to make the next generation better than me."