Northwest Guardian
12/19/2014 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- For the second consecutive year, a Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Force firefighter won the Army Firefighter of the Year award. Senior Airman Kevin Alfonso, a 627th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, was presented the award for 2013 on Dec. 11, 2014 at JBLM.
Alfonso has served at McChord Field's Fire Station for more than four years. He is the second Airman from the station to be named the Army's top firefighter; Staff Sgt. Steven Soto earned the award for 2102, which was announced March 25, 2013, when he was also a senior Airman.
Although an Army award, competitors from other branches of service assigned to joint installations are eligible to compete. Competitors are judged by their work performance from the previous year on resourcefulness, leadership, initiative and technical competencies.
Alfonso said he was humbled and honored to receive the award, but wouldn't have received it without the help of his counterparts.
"Our civilian firefighters have been on the job for a long time and provide us with valuable training," Alfonso said. "I wouldn't know what I know today if it wasn't for them."
Senior Master Sergeant Chris Maxwell, 627th CES deputy fire chief, said the award reflects Alfonso's accomplishments in the context of the entire department.
"We have come a long way as a department working as a whole, and I think our Airmen embracing the changes we've undergone as a joint base has put us where we are today," Maxwell said. "I'm proud of everyone here."
According to Staff Sgt. William Carter, 627th CES firefighter and Alfonso's supervisor, the award was well deserved.
"He's a hard worker, learns quickly and is very advanced for his level of experience," Carter said. "Senior Airman Alfonso is a fast burner. He has worked hard since he (arrived) here, is always helping others and is always willing to learn."
Alfonso's accomplishments include acting as a lead firefighter for a wild fire, extinguishing the fire and saving more than 1,000 acres of land. He was first on the scene of an accident where he immobilized a patient with severe neck injuries ensuring rapid transport and preventing paralysis. Alfonso also responded to a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft fuel spill, where he contained the fuel leak, protecting the crew, and resulting in zero environmental impact and saving the $237 million aircraft.
"You can always count on him to do his job and to do it right, Carter said. "You are always going to get a good result from him."
A New York City native inspired by the firefighters of 9/11 and family members serving as first responders, Alfonso said he's wanted to be a firefighter since childhood.
"This has been part of my family lineage for a very long time," Alfonso said. "My dad is a police officer and my uncle is a firefighter. I'm from New York, and they were in 9-11. That's what really made me want to do something like this."
Following his passion, Alfonso said he plans to return home to New York in the future to serve as firefighter in the New York City Fire Department.
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