VICENZA -- United States Army Garrison Italy can rest easy knowing that it has the best fire department in Installation Management Command -- Europe.
The department, which provides services to 12 geographically separated garrison properties in the Veneto and Tuscany regions, was recently selected as the 2016 Fire Department of the Year for IMCOM-E.
"This is a huge accomplishment," said Lt. Col. Michael S. Parsons, garrison director of Emergency Services. "I know how much hard work and dedication went into making (this) selection a reality. This achievement was a team effort and indicative of the quality of firefighters and professionals they all are."
The competition doesn't end for the department, though. They are currently being judged in a field of 115 U.S. Army fire protection programs. After those results are announced, they will compete against all fire departments in the Department of Defense.
The award means a lot to USAG Italy Fire Chief Scott M. DeLay, he said.
"I've been a fire chief for a long time and have managed some of the best fire response agencies in the Army and DoD. This award is probably the most special because it has taken the entire team to pull the organization together," he said.
In 2015, the department was reorganized when all Army Fire and Emergency Services programs throughout Italy were combined into a single organization.
"We have established a new level of performance criteria for all of USAG Italy," said DeLay. "It is a challenge bringing all these noncontiguous parts together into a single program with a single purpose -- providing the best to our community at the standard that supports the Army and IMCOM missions."
Part of the department's strength is due to the commitment of the Italian firefighters, as well.
"We have an all-star cast of standouts, but without the dedication of the Italian workforce to this community, there is no way we could have been this successful," he said.
Their accomplishments have been noticed by the broader military community, as well, with FES receiving its highest rating ever in the Interactive Customer Evaluations.
"When we get the service ratings, it is a proud moment for all of us," said DeLay. "It means that we touched someone's life long enough for them to go back home or to work and submit their comments to the program."
The department will continue to build on its momentum.
"The awards our team received were not expected. We were building programs that are capable and sustainable for the community we serve. The byproduct is an award, and that feels good," he said. "I see a spring in the step of every responder and smiles of pride."
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