The Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC) has been awarded the 2023 Defense Department fire prevention program of the year, as reported by the US Department of Defense.
The program, headquartered in Okinawa, Japan, was recognized for its exemplary fire prevention efforts across its installations.
MCIPAC provides fire suppression, emergency medical support, and fire prevention services throughout the region.
According to Ulysses Taormina, the regional fire chief of Marine Corps Installations Pacific Fire and Emergency Services, the success of the program stems from the dedication of fire safety professionals and their strong community outreach efforts.
Taormina highlighted the role of fire inspectors as the “unsung heroes” of the department: “They are the ones that do community outreach, ensuring that buildings are built in compliance with regulations and preventing things from happening.”
These efforts are complemented by a robust educational program aimed at increasing fire safety awareness among military families, particularly school-age children.
As part of MCIPAC’s fire prevention strategy, the department places significant emphasis on education, engaging military families, including children, in fire safety programs.
The department conducts fire prevention and safety education initiatives, which begin with teaching basic fire safety principles like “stop, drop, and roll.”
The outreach programs cater to children of all ages, from elementary to high school, ensuring that they learn and understand the fundamentals of fire safety early.
“We have a really robust educational program where we go out to the schools,” Taormina said.
Beyond fire prevention, these initiatives also serve to strengthen relationships between fire service personnel and the community.
As Taormina explained: “It’s about community relations and building a community that has a mindset about fire safety.”
In 2023, the Marine Corps Installations Pacific’s fire prevention team achieved impressive results.
The department completed over 1,238 fire inspections across 1,363 facilities, achieving a 93% annual inspection completion rate.
Additionally, the team organized 155 public education events that reached more than 9,000 people, and they facilitated more than 560 fire evacuation drills with the participation of over 36,000 personnel.
These efforts contributed significantly to their recognition by the Defense Department.
The fire prevention program was honored at the 2023 DOD Fire and Emergency Services Awards for its excellence in mission support and fire protection management.
These annual awards recognize top-performing fire departments at military installations worldwide, along with individual personnel who demonstrate outstanding job performance and contributions to their organizations.
In addition to Marine Corps Installations Pacific, several other fire departments and individuals were recognized for their outstanding performance in 2023.
These awards, presented by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, celebrated excellence in various categories.
Among the recipients were the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, for Fire Department of the Year (Small Category); and the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, for Fire Department of the Year (Large Category).
Other individual awards included Military Firefighter of the Year, awarded to Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Aircraft Handler First Class Petty Officer Anna Perez, Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy; and Civilian Firefighter of the Year, awarded to Jeffry Frawley, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.
These awards recognize the exceptional service and dedication of individuals and teams within the DOD’s Fire and Emergency Services community.
Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC) has been awarded the 2023 Defense Department fire prevention program of the year.
Headquartered in Okinawa, Japan, MCIPAC provides comprehensive fire suppression, emergency medical support, and fire prevention services across its installations.
The award recognizes the department’s commitment to fire safety, including over 1,238 fire inspections and 155 public education events in 2023.
Chief Ulysses Taormina praised the department’s fire inspectors for their crucial role in community outreach and education.
The program’s achievements contributed to its recognition by the DOD during the annual Fire and Emergency Services Awards.
Several other fire departments and individuals were also recognized for their exceptional service and contributions to the DOD’s fire safety efforts.
