Fire Departments, Firefighter Selected Best in Region

By Kaylee LaRocque, Naval Air Station Jacksonville Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- The First Coast Navy Fire and Emergency Services comprised of the Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) and Naval Station (NS) Mayport fire departments was selected the 2011 Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) Fire Department of the Year (Large Category) March 20.

This is the third consecutive year the unit has been recognized for this award. These departments will represent the region in the upcoming Commander, Navy Installations Command competition.

"Bravo Zulu to these fire and emergency services professionals and all the programs they represent," said CNRSE Rear Adm. Jack Scorby Jr. in a message announcing the winners. "I wish them all the very best of luck as they move forward to the CNIC-wide competition. Great job and many thanks to all of our fire and emergency professionals for all that you do to keep our Sailors, Marines, civilians and families safe."

During 2011, base firefighters/paramedics answered 647 structural, 446 aircraft, 46 hazardous material (hazmat), 1,723 emergency medical service and 47 community calls for help. They also provided triage, treatment and transport to numerous visitors during the NAS Jax Air Show.

The team provides service not only to the two naval bases, but also to the Pinecastle Range Complex, Outlying Field Whitehouse and Yellow Water Housing Area.

They also established several memorandums of understanding with local counties to provide mutual aid response to support local communities; hosted specialized hazmat and technical rescue teams for training events; provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation/automated external defibrillator training for base security and Navy Exchange personnel; developed new training initiatives for firefighters; mandated fire officer certification; assisted homeported ships at NS Mayport with annual fire hose testing and deployed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to service test and certify their self-contained breathing apparatus systems.

Firefighters at both stations have also spent many off-duty hours training to increase their proficiencies in emergency situations. Some of this certified training includes advanced life support, hazmat, rappelling, damage control and evacuation on the ships and using the mobile aircraft live fire trainer.

The team has also spent numerous hours renovating their stations saving the Navy $200,000 through self-help projects.

"We have 127 members on our team and they truly are the 'best of the best,'" said Mark Brusoe, acting fire chief. "At our stations everyone has a never say 'no' attitude and we are always out there ready to serve the public. Nothing is too big or small to take on. They make my job easy. You send them in the right direction, give them some guidance and the job gets done.

"We also have a superb fire prevention program at NAS Jax and NS Mayport. They do an outstanding job educating the public on fire safety through lectures and demonstrations and are responsible for inspecting all the buildings for fire hazards."

NAS Jax Firefighter/Paramedic Tracy Tomes has also been chosen as the 2011 CNRSE Firefighter of the Year.

"This is awesome being selected for both these awards," said Tomes, who has been with the NAS Jax Fire Department for the past 11 years. "We strive to provide the public with the best service possible whether we are responding to a call or someone comes into our station for a tour or a blood pressure check. We are here to protect the military members, civilians and their families.

"During my time here, I've seen many changes within our station that enable us to provide the highest quality of service to our customers. One of the biggest is that we've established an advanced life support system and have provided training to base personnel. This new system greatly enhances our ability to save lives. We also have state-of-the-art upgrades on our fire trucks, new technologies, including a better dispatch system and new capabilities to advise our citizens of upcoming emergencies."

Tomes was cited for personally saving the lives of two individuals including a 23-month-old infant; rescuing a victim in a multi-vehicle accident; coordinating the emergency medical services (EMS) operations for a simulated train derailment joint exercise with the City of Jacksonville; researching and developing a comprehensive advanced emergency medical training program for his co-workers; designed and constructed a new EMS office at NAS Jax and maintains accountability and purchases of all EMS equipment.

"I am proud that I will be representing my team in the CNIC competition. I'd really like to thank Fire Chief Brusoe for submitting me for this award, NAS Jax Commanding Office Capt. Bob Sanders for supporting me, base legal department for providing guidance and our team here for all they do each and every day," said Tomes. "And, I'd especially like to thank my family for all their support while I'm working."

"Many people don't realize that we usually work 72 hours a week here. We cook together, eat together and argue together - we are a family here," Brusoe added. "We do this because we love what we do and are here to serve those who need us."

Brusoe and Tomes will represent First Coast Navy Fire and Emergency Services at the Fire Rescue International conference in Denver Aug. 1-4 where the CNIC winners will be announced.

First responders play an essential role in fleet readiness, an area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Department.

USS Constitution Departs for Phoenix Navy Week

From USS Constitution Public Affairs

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USS Constitution will participate in Phoenix Navy Week in Phoenix, March 26-30.

Sailors will kick off their participation by serving as the color guard detail for the Korean War Veteran's Memorial at Wesley Bolin Plaza where Rear Adm. Patrick Brady, commander, Space and Naval Warfare Command, is scheduled to speak.

"Navy Weeks are a great opportunity to share Constitution and the Navy with cities that may not know much about who we are and what we do," said Cmdr. Matthew Bonner, Constitution's 72nd commanding officer. "This year is especially important with the bicentennial celebration of the War of 1812 and explaining the Navy's role in that conflict and our missions today."

Sailors are also scheduled to teach early U.S. naval history and interact with more than 500 students at Centennial Middle School, Pueblo Middle School, Sonoran Middle School and the South Mountain Community Library.

Additionally, they will visit East Valley, Ariz. and Scottsdale, Ariz. Boys and Girls Clubs to provide mentorship and share their professional experiences with youth there.

"Our nation's freedom and spirit was built on the foundation of great Americans, like the Sailors who served on board USS Constitution," said Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) 1st Class Scott Bartlett, Constitution's command historian. "I'm extremely excited to share these Sailor's stories to the youth of Phoenix."

This is the first of eight Navy Weeks Constitution Sailors are scheduled to participate in throughout 2012, celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

The primary purpose of Navy Week is to increase Navy awareness by presenting the Navy to Americans who live in cities that normally do not have a significant naval presence. Phoenix Navy Week will showcase the mission, capabilities and achievements of the U.S. Navy and provide residents the opportunity to meet Sailors firsthand.

Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year. She defended the sea lanes against threat from 1797 to 1855, much like the mission of today's Navy. America's Navy: Keeping the sea free for more than 200 years.

Constitution's mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship's history. For more information, visit www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution or www.facebook.com/ussconstitutionofficial.

Family Matters Blog: Military Families Can Take Steps to Prevent Lost or Stolen Pets

By Navy Lt. Theresa Donnelly

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2012 – A missing pet can be a devastating experience for family members and can result in a dangerous situation for the animal. However, military families can take steps to keep their beloved pets safe and secure.

If your pet lives indoors or is supervised outdoors, it’s less likely the pet will become lost or stolen. Many animals crave human companionship and do quite well lounging on a comfortable couch or bed during the day.

However, if you can’t take your pet out for exercise, make sure they play in a safe, secure and enclosed area with necessary shelter, water and food. You also should avoid the use of chains or ropes for long periods of time. U.S. Humane Society studies indicate that animals become territorial and aggressive when tied up on chains for a prolonged time. Animals are more likely to bite another human or could unintentionally hang themselves if tethered too close to a fence.

If a pet becomes lost, a microchip can help reunite pet and owner. This is a tiny computer chip, about the size of a grain of rice, inserted into the skin of the animal with an identification number programmed into it. A national registry tracks the number, and any organization with a scanner can identify the number and contact the company owning the device. The company then will contact the pet owner or another emergency contact. Since registration tags are easily removable, the microchip provides an additional layer of protection.

Microchips can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit -- no surgery or anesthesia required -- in animals as young as eight weeks, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Because of this critical method of pet identification, animals have been found more than 1,000 miles from their home or after years of separation.

In 2009, the Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Indoor Pet Initiative conducted a study of 53 shelters with recorded information on animals entering a shelter with a microchip. The findings revealed that 73 percent of owners of stray dogs and cats were found, and 74 percent of the owners wanted their animals back. The top reason owners couldn’t be located was incorrect or disconnected phone numbers, followed by the owner’s failure to return phone calls or respond to letters.

Along with microchips, owners also should legally register their pet since it’s the primary way shelters track pet ownership.

“One of our most important goals is to get lost pets home, which reduces impact on the shelter in devoting resources to tracking owners,” said Matt Malta, director of adoptions for the Hawaiian Humane Society. “Licensing is considered legal proof of ownership, and pet owners should consider compliance that will help establish their animals as rightfully theirs.”

According to Malta, less than 20 percent of Oahu dog owners are in compliance with assuring that their dog is always wearing a valid, county-issued license. Many companion animals end up at shelters as strays and can’t be reunited with owners due to missing registration and microchip information. In fact, less than 2 percent of cats and only 15 to 20 percent of dogs are returned to their owners, according to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy.

Many shelters offer discounted services for microchips and ensure their animals are adopted out with microchips.

Check your military base or housing installation for the companion animal policies, as housing pet policies stipulate microchips and registration or animal licensing requirements. When moving to a new duty station or when considering getting a pet, it’s critical potential owners research local animal laws and housing animal policies if living on base to ensure compliance.

Should the pet accidentally get loose on a military installation, immediately call base police, base animal control, if applicable, and your community’s official lost and found center for companion animals.

If the neighborhood permits it, post signs and check online pet classifieds for found pet postings and consider placing a lost pet posting to alert other members in your neighborhood.

We all can help to raise awareness of this issue by talking to our neighbors about pet resources and providing help when needed. These steps can protect our pets and enhance the human-animal bond among pet owners.

(Guest blogger Navy Lt. Theresa Donnelly, of U.S. Pacific Command, is the owner of Hawaii Military Pets, which provides pet resources for military families. She’s offered to share her pet-related knowledge in a series of blogs for Family Matters.)

WI ARNG Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony

The Wisconsin National Guard is pleased to announce the 2012 Wisconsin Army National Guard Hall of Honor inductees. A ceremony will be held May 5, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Witmer Hall located at the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs at 2400 Wright Street, Madison, WI, 53704.

We will be honoring:

BG (Ret.) Kerry G. Denson

BG (Ret.) James A. Krueck

COL (Ret.) Timothy B. Pfrang

COL (Ret.) David L. Schumacher

Please RSVP by April 27^th to

SSG Jason Walters

1-800-335-5147 ext. 3011 or

jason.r.walters@us.army.mil

Enterprise Prepares for 3M Assessment

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Jesse L. Gonzalez, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) hosted a material, maintenance and management assist (3MA) team March 22 as they evaluated the ship's 3M program.

The 3MA team consists of senior enlisted members ranging from chief petty officers to master chief petty officers from Commander, Naval Air Force's 3M training department. They are responsible for assessing Enterprise's 3M program and training Sailors to be more successful at 3M.

"The purpose of this visit is to find out where the ship stands right now in their maintenance program," said Master Chief Damage Controlman Larry Debeau, a 3MA team member. "This serves as an indicator to tell the ship where and what they need to improve at, whether it's procedure, a tag-out or something involving personal protective equipment."

According to Damage Controlman 3rd Class Nicholas T. Pelletier the 3M program is absolutely necessary because it critical in making a 50 year-old warship last.

"We serve on one of the oldest ships in our Navy, so maintenance is extra important," said Pelletier. "The equipment we are responsible for maintaining not only ensures Sailors stay alive but also allows us to perform our mission."

The 3MA team conducts multiple spot checks with various work-centers in an effort to evaluate the effectiveness of the ship's 3M program and the spot checks already being conducted.

"Depending on what the 13-week log looks like, some departments are conducting checks everyday but most likely it's weekly," said Pelletier.

"As a DCPO, I help other unqualified Sailors in my division learn about 3M, and I teach them the proper way to do a spot check and how to do the maintenance correctly," said Pelletier. "I do a wide variety of maintenance checks, such as portable extinguishing bottles, doors and hatches of all types, fire hoses of all sizes, overboard discharges, ladders and stairs."

According to Debeau, the team is here to ensure the life-span of the equipment reaches its full potential. For instance, if a particular pump is supposed to last for ten years, the team ensures that the proper oils are used and the correct maintenance is being done, so the pump actually lasts ten years.

"Basically, in today's Navy, we are losing equipment and ships are staying in port longer due to maintenance issues, rather than being out to sea," said Debeau. "We are trying to bring more awareness and better train Sailors about the importance of maintenance so that they have better maintenance practice and awareness."

The 3MA visit is designed to help raise that awareness and train Sailors on how to improve the ship's 3M practices.

"No ship's maintenance program is perfect," said Debeau. "I would like to see more time spent training with Sailors at the deck-plates to ensure that they understand the equipment and the maintenance practices, and the long-term effect it has on their equipment."