McALESTER ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT, Okla. -- The Fire and Emergency Services team here received a "green" rating for its protection program from the U.S. Army Materiel Command during its staff assistance visit on March 25-29.
Charles S. Davis III, chief of AMC Fire and Emergency Services at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., gave the MCAAP FES team a 92 percent, or "green," rating across nine AMC protection program criteria for its ability to respond to possible threats to the installation and its workforce.
The protection program is intended to safeguard Soldiers, civilian employees and contractors, family members, facilities and equipment, in all locations and situations, against a full spectrum of threats through the use of comprehensive programs and actions.
"While we are confident in our department's ability to respond to a variety of emergencies, we welcomed Chief Davis' assessment of our current capabilities," said Bill Tollett, MCAAP's FES director. "Protection of the people and structures on MCAAP is our top priority, so we're very pleased with the rating because it validates our effectiveness."
Assisted by Sean Brewer, fire chief of Blue Grass Army Depot, Ky., they reviewed the plant's emergency dispatch, structural firefighting, hazardous materials response, wildland firefighting, rescue operations, fire prevention, specialized training support and emergency medical services capabilities.
Davis and Brewer also visited the Haywood/Arpelar and Savanna volunteer fire departments to discuss the existing mutual aid agreements they have with MCAAP Fire and Emergency Services. MCAAP also has an agreement with the McAlester Fire Department.
Since 2013, MCAAP FES has responded to 23 requests for mutual aid to help with fires, rescues, motor vehicle accidents and more, said Tollett.
The assistance visit was Davis' third of an AMC installation since he became the chief of AMC Fire and Emergency Services eight months ago. It was MCAAP's first since Aug. 29, 2012.
"MCAAP has a solid program," said Davis. "They have good team cohesion and have demonstrated the full ability to do the job. They are definitely looking out for the well-being of the installation and workforce. They have a very strong program."
"As a fire chief, I would be extremely proud of this fire station," said Brewer during the closing assistance visit discussion with Col. Joseph D. Blanding, MCAAP commander. "You have great guys who know their stuff. You should be very proud of this team."
MCAAP is one of 17 installations of the Joint Munitions Command and one of 23 organic industrial base facilities under the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
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