CNIC Fire and Emergency Services Recognizes Firefighters in Ceremony

From Navy Installations Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Thirty Navy fire and emergency service professionals were recognized for their outstanding performance this year in a ceremony on Sept. 24 at the headquarters for Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) in Washington D.C.

The ceremony was part of an annual two-day training event for CNIC regional fire chiefs.

Commander, Navy Installations Command Vice Adm. William French presented the awardees with plaques and certificates as a token of appreciation and praised the firefighters and their teams for a job well done.

"I don't think we say often enough how proud we are of you," said French. "We are proud of the great job you do each and every day to protect all of us."

Competition for the awards is based on ten different categories. Entries are used to compete at both the Navy and Department of Defense (DoD) levels. Service professionals from Navy Installations Command claimed four of the DoD awards and 10 Navy awards for this year.

Rick Brockman, deputy director Fire and Emergency Services Program, spoke about the importance of the fire and emergency teams.

"Fire and emergency services provide Sailors with a peace of mind," said Brockman. "Sailors and their families can feel comfortable their homes are in good hands while the Sailors are deployed. We allow them to have that piece of mind because they know they have a professional force covering them."

According to Brockman the selection process for the winners was extremely difficult.

"It was highly competitive and was based on documented performance," he said. "These awardees are the best of the best for fire and emergency services."

In the department category fire stations are evaluated on customer service, department level awards, such as accreditation, certifications and other recognition, innovation, quality of life initiatives (within or outside of the department) and firefighter health and safety initiatives.

The individual awards are based on accomplishments, job performance, technical competence, leadership ability, initiative and resourcefulness.

Winners of the DoD award:

* DoD and Navy Heroism of the year- Naval District Washington

* DoD and Navy Civilian Fire Officer of the Year- Mr. Pete Sorensen- Navy Region Japan

* DoD and Navy Fire Prevention Program of the Year- Navy Region Southwest

* DoD and Navy Medium Fire Department of the Year- Naval Station Rota

Navy winners were:

* Navy EMS Provider of the Year- Mr. James Pickett- NSB Kings Bay

* Navy Fire Service Instructor of the Year- Mr. Akinori Chiba, Navy Region Japan

* Navy Civilian Firefighter of the Year- Mr. Naoto Hashiguchi, Navy Region Japan

* Navy Military Firefighter of the Year- ABH1 Kaleb Willi, Naval Station Rota

* Navy Military Fire Officer of the Year- TSGT Matthew Walls, Navy Region Hawaii

* Navy Small Fire Department of the Year- Navy Submarine Base Kings Bay

* Navy Large Fire Department of the Year- Navy Region Northwest

* Navy Fire Chief of the Year- Regional Fire Chief Bruce Kramer