The Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) supports the Department in safeguarding and advancing vital national interests and assures military readiness and resilience. The F&ES community, comprising both military and civilian firefighters, provides a critical pillar of support to military installations and defense communities in the United States and abroad, and serves as the first line of defense for emergency response.
Today, in recognition of the upcoming International Firefighters' Day, DOD announced the recipients of the 2024 DOD F&ES Awards. These annual awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of its fire departments, fire officers, firefighters, and fire service instructors in their service roles at military installations. DOD F&ES leadership from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Defense Logistics Agency selected nine winners from a total of 40 highly deserving nominees to honor with this recognition.
"Dedicated F&ES personnel sustain our defense communities through strategic planning, training, and incident response and recovery," stated Robert E. Thompson, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment. "Their ability to continuously adapt to dynamic conditions better enables the military mission and helps safeguard the American people against catastrophic threats."
Each year, three of DOD's most outstanding fire departments receive recognition for achieving the highest degree of excellence in mission support and fire protection management. In addition, DOD's best fire prevention program receives an award based on its depth and breadth, effectiveness, educational value, and thoroughness in direct support of the organization's mission.
One military firefighter and one civilian firefighter each receive awards for their superior job performance, innovation, and outstanding contributions to a DOD F&ES organization. One military fire officer and one civilian fire officer each also receive awards for their superior job performance, outstanding contributions, and leadership within a DOD F&ES organization. In addition, one fire service instructor receives recognition for superior job performance, resourcefulness, and outstanding contributions to a DOD F&ES organization.
Highlights of each winner's 2024 accomplishments, demonstrating their tireless efforts to strengthen the Department's mission preparedness and emergency response, are below:
Fire Department of the Year, Small Category: Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia—Responded to a fourplex structure fire in base housing by containing the fire, rescuing three victims, and preserving $3 million in property value. The department hosted 130 sub-fire events, 16 validation exercises, and 32 exchanges of command that trained 2,400 personnel for a total of 8,000 hours. The department also saved a life by executing a submarine confined space rescue with an 18-inch gap extraction and a three-story high-angle lift.
Fire Department of the Year, Medium Category: 355th Civil Engineer Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona—Responded to 788 emergencies and 10 fires across 5.5 million square feet of infrastructure and 36 tenant units, protecting a $51 billion weapon system and saving six lives. The department rallied 126 multiagency instructors to teach 43 classes equaling 536,000 hours, awarding 2,500 credits. Additionally, the department chaired the Pima County Safety Day, teaming up with 25 state agencies to raise $152,000 for charity.
Fire Department of the Year, Large Category: 673d Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska—Battled and halted the spread of a barracks kitchen fire, protecting 532 people and $105 million in assets. The department taught 74 fire safety classes that educated 1,200 people, issued 265 certifications, and aided in 20 events. The department also executed a 160-hour National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class with a 100-percent pass rate, certifying 63 EMTs.
Fire Prevention Program of the Year: Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado—Piloted a fire safety program that executed 342 inspections, educated 15,000 people on base, protected $6 billion in assets, and enabled mission readiness of 11 radar dome sites. The department started a Community Risk Reduction Connect program by joining forces with the Federal Emergency Management Agency region including five state and local agencies. The program united $125,000 in joint assets to host nine public events. The department also expanded the scope of its fire prevention week programs by hosting a free base pancake breakfast, a live fire demonstration, and 10 campaign events. The new curriculum increased the program reach to 1,200 people.
Military Firefighter of the Year: Senior Airman Adam Olea, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea—Battled a 3-day, 1,300-acre wildfire, working with seven agencies to establish firebreaks, contain spot fires, and save 662 homes. Senior Airman Olea was the nozzleman for an 8,000-gallon fuel fire in which he directed a three-person fire attack team, stopping the fire and delivering critical care to victims. These efforts rescued a burn victim and safeguarded a $2.8 million facility. Additionally, he coordinated 10 coalition trainings for 111 firefighters to enhance joint response capabilities and strengthen partnerships with in-country allies.
Civilian Firefighter of the Year: Stevan Ames, Naval Station Mayport, Florida—Served as the medical officer during a ship fire, managing triage and rehabilitation, treating five firefighters for smoke inhalation, and medically assessing 100 responders. Firefighter Ames taught Tactical Emergency Casualty Care, instructing 40 hours of tactical environment medical care to more than 300 Florida National Guardsmen to improve combat readiness. He also created the curriculum for and led the EMT/paramedic recertification program, including teaching 75 critical classes and certifying 28 first responders, boosting medical care by over 50-percent.
Military Fire Officer of the Year: Technical Sergeant Nathaniel Hobbs, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea—Served temporarily as the Assistant Chief of Operations/Master Sergeant, guiding 45 firefighters through 409 emergencies and supporting 10 units, 4,100 warfighters, and a $4.6 billion weapons platform. Technical Sergeant Hobbs also developed an Air Force and Korean airport response protocol for nine agencies, resolving a 4-year communication gap and securing a memorandum of agreement for three agencies. Additionally, he managed nine units through three simultaneous hydrazine leaks and saved two lives by orchestrating decontamination of the 26 exposed victims.
Civilian Fire Officer of the Year: Captain Takanori Saito, U.S. Army Garrison Japan—Led response efforts during 44 emergency incidents with a 100-percent aggregate response time compliance. Captain Saito spearheaded 83 impactful training sessions and 11 live burn exercises for a total of 115 instructional hours, strengthening the department's emergency response preparedness and receiving recognition for his performance and innovations from his peers and leaders. He also elevated fire prevention week by leading a dynamic firefighting response demonstration and incorporating interactive rescue displays to encourage and inspire fire safety awareness throughout the community.
Fire Service Instructor of the Year: Joseph Suddarth Jr., Eglin Air Force Base, Florida—Commanded an off-base wildfire, directing four agencies and 62 responders. His leadership resulted in the protection of three counties, 462,000 acres, and DOD's largest active weapons test range worth $279 million. As Fire Protection Specialist, Mr. Suddarth revamped the National Registry Emergency Medical Responder training to decrease class time by 75 percent and save 3,000 workhours. His training, which earned a 95-percent pass rate and 171 certifications, was adopted Air Force-wide.
Congratulations to the 2024 DOD F&ES Awards winners for their outstanding accomplishments and valiant efforts to forward the Department's goals of ensuring mission readiness, protecting our warfighters, and supporting healthy and resilient defense communities. To find out more, visit the DOD F&ES Awards website at: https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/emr/fes/index.html.