Fire prevention, training officers earn top honors

By Jeremy WiseSeptember 4, 2009

Fire prevention, training officers earn top honors
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala.--Fort Rucker Fire Department's six fire inspectors attained a perfect score for adequately ensuring 13 million square feet of buildings and airfields here are safe for use, according to a recent Department of the Army inspection.

Inspectors Ronnie Stallworth, Staff Sgt. Ronald Brown, Maryk Hawkins, Kenneth Harrell, Chad Kilcrease and John Ahern all completed 100 percent of the Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) engineering guidelines. The fire department's Training Section Captain Shayne Brown also scored a 100 percent during the ORI's latest study, conducted in mid-July.

Garrison Commander Col. Yvette J. Kelley awarded certificates to the seven department members for the perfect scores at a garrison workforce briefing Aug. 13. The awards follow top Department of the Army and Installation Management Command (IMCOM) awards four firefighters recently earned for excellence and heroism.

""It just shows the professionalism and competence of our firefighting population. We recognize the inherent hazards they face and thank them ," Kelley said.

It is the first time the Fort Rucker fire prevention department received a perfect ORI score, Stallworth said. "We're at the top of our game," Hawkins said.

Stallworth attributed the new success to increased staffing. Harrell said until six months ago, the department had only four staff members to cover the large area of responsibility.

Stallworth also noted an improved working partnership with the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helped them attain the goal.

Earl Flynn, DPW customer service chief, said when the Army Corps of Engineers sends designs for a new building or renovations, DPW forwards them to the fire prevention office for comments or approval. He said fire prevention office inspectors check evacuation routes and placement of fire-suppression devices, among other objectives. "We continue to work hand-in-hand. It's been a good partnership," he added.

Recent projects the two departments have collaborated on include Andrews Avenue Physical Fitness Center renovations and classroom construction at Hanchey and Lowe Army heliports, Flynn said.

Stallworth said his department satisfied 98 percent of ORI's educational objectives, noting the department would have scored 100 percent if they had one more inspector and one more vehicle.

As part of the educational objectives, Stallworth said his department is willing to teach fire prevention lessons to any post organizations.

Ronald Brown said the recognition highlights a department whose actions are rarely seen.

"It's good that it brings us into a positive light. I think it'll bring about more command emphasis on fire prevention," Ahern added.

Ronald Brown said he will use the perfect score as a tool to mentor young firefighters and Soldiers, especially instructing them about teamwork.

"I know some of them get disgruntled that there's not a lot of fires, but if you're stationed somewhere where there are a lot of fires, fire prevention (staff) are not doing their jobs," he said.

Kilcrease said the awards provide young firefighters an example of how hard work can pay off.

The recent inspection also revealed a successful training program here.

Shayne Brown, who recently won IMCOM Civilian Fire Officer of the Year, said the ORI evaluated all types of firefighting training for his award. He said the recognition shows he is able to get his job done effectively, He credited others for his success though.

"A good leader is only as good as the people underneath him, and we've got a great bunch of people," he said.

Together, proper training and fire prevention help keep Fort Rucker safe.