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Firefighters from Camp Humphreys prepare for training at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, April 7, 2026. Firefighters from Camp Humphreys, Osan Air Base and K-16 Air Base completed their annual joint aircraft fire training, sharpening critical skills and reinforcing readiness to respond swiftly and effectively in emergencies. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Kim Yoon-jae, Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army)
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Republic of Korea Firefighter Pyongson Ko with the USAG Humphreys Fire Department poses for a photo on Camp Humphreys, South Korea, April 9, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Philemon Tan)
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A firefighter with U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys assists in managing a water hose during a mock aircraft fire at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, April 7, 2026. Firefighters from Camp Humphreys, Osan Air Base and K-16 Air Base completed their annual joint aircraft fire training, sharpening critical skills and reinforcing readiness to respond swiftly and effectively in emergencies. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Teegan Karlinsey)
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U.S. Air Force firefighters with Osan Air Base fight a mock fire at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, April 7, 2026. Firefighters from Camp Humphreys, Osan Air Base and K-16 Air Base completed their annual joint aircraft fire training, sharpening critical skills and reinforcing readiness to respond swiftly and effectively in emergencies. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Teegan Karlinsey)
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Firefighters with U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys prepare their gear to participate in an aircraft fire training exercise at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, April 7, 2026. Firefighters from Camp Humphreys, Osan Air Base and K-16 Air Base completed their annual joint aircraft fire training, sharpening critical skills and reinforcing readiness to respond swiftly and effectively in emergencies. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Teegan Karlinsey)
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A U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys emergency responder performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a mannequin during an accident drill involving a simulated UH-60 Black Hawk emergency landing at Desiderio Army Airfield, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, March 11, 2026. The drill included three Soldiers and four manikins acting as mock casualties and tested garrison firefighters, medical, and emergency response procedures to improve coordination, readiness, and response capabilities during airfield emergencies. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Duong Le)
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U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys emergency responders carry a Soldier to safety during an accident exercise involving a simulated UH-60 Black Hawk emergency landing at Desiderio Army Airfield, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, March 11, 2026. The exercise included three Soldiers and four manikins acting as mock casualties and tested garrison firefighters, medical, and emergency response procedures to improve coordination, readiness, and response capabilities during airfield emergencies. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Duong Le)
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U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys emergency responders inspect a Soldier during an accident exercise involving a simulated UH-60 Black Hawk emergency landing at Desiderio Army Airfield, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, March 11, 2026. The exercise included three Soldiers and four manikins acting as mock casualties and tested garrison firefighters, medical, and emergency response procedures to improve coordination, readiness, and response capabilities during airfield emergencies. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Duong Le)
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The first-place poster winner by fourth-grade student Lenox Eiffel Goerge from Humphreys Central Elementary School is displayed at Camp Humphreys Fire Station One Oct. 31, 2025. The U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Fire and Emergency Services held the poster contest as part of Fire Prevention Week Oct.5-11, 2025. Goerge won a ride to school Dec.3, 2025, aboard a Humphreys fire truck.
The theme for National Fire Prevention Week Oct.5-11, 2025, was “Charge into Fire Safety,” emphasizing the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires. Throughout the week in October, firefighters from the Humphreys Fire Department visited schools, hosted demonstrations, and delivered safety lessons tailored to every age group. (U.S. Army courtesy photo by USAG Humphreys Fire and Emergency Services /Released)
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U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys firefighters assist an injured Soldier during a quarterly airfield emergency and disaster drill at Camp Humphreys, July 15, 2025. The exercise evaluated the effectiveness of first response vehicles and emergency procedures in and around the installation. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Ana Alrawi
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Ana Alrawi)VIEW ORIGINAL
CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea – U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Fire and Emergency Services has been named the “Best Large Fire Department in the Pacific Region for 2025” by the U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Pacific.
Following regional recognition, the department is now advancing to compete for the best large fire department worldwide within IMCOM, facing off against winners from other regions.
“This recognition proves that USAG Humphreys Fire and Emergency Services is the best of the best,” said Fire Chief Marcus Shepard. “It's a profound honor for our members who consistently put the community’s needs before their own, serving tirelessly day after day.”
The department’s success was further highlighted by several individual awards for 2025. Shepard himself was named IMCOM-Pacific’s Fire Chief of the Year. Additionally, Ko Pyong-son received the Fire Officer of the Year award, and Paek Won-ki was honored as Dispatcher of the Year for the region.
Marcus O. Shepard, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Fire Chief, left, briefs U.S. Army Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Salvador G. Garcia, right, on training at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, April 7, 2026. Firefighters from Camp Humphreys, Osan Air Base and K-16 Air Base completed their annual joint aircraft fire training, sharpening critical skills and reinforcing readiness to respond swiftly and effectively in emergencies. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Teegan Karlinsey)
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Teegan Karlinsey)VIEW ORIGINAL
With approximately 150 personnel, the department operates four fire stations on Camp Humphreys and one on K-16 Airfield. In 2025, they responded to 1,379 emergencies.
Beyond their emergency response, the department has made significant contributions to community safety and education. In 2025, they reached over 65,000 people through fire prevention messages, radio spotlights on the American Forces Network, and participation in more than 32 community events, including the annual Fire Prevention Week in October.
Outreach efforts included teaching fire safety to a diverse home-school group, guiding students through a mobile fire prevention trailer at local elementary schools, and engaging the community’s youngest members at child development centers with visits from Sparky the fire safety dog.
“The firefighters here take a lot of pride in serving this community and always try their best whenever they are called upon,” said Shepard.
The USAG Humphreys BOSS Program hosted a 9/11 Remembrance Ruck March at Camp Humphreys' Balboni Field in honor of those who lost their lives on this day 24 years ago, Sept. 11, 2025. In the early morning hours, Soldiers and community members from across the installation stepped off for a 9.11-mile ruck march — every mile a tribute, every pound a symbol of the burden our nation carried on that tragic day. We ruck to honor the 2,977 lives lost, the first responders who ran toward danger, and the countless service members who answered the call in the years that followed. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Philemon Tan)
(Photo Credit: Cpl. Philemon Tan)VIEW ORIGINAL
Shepard attributes a large part of the department’s success to its strong collaborative efforts with Republic of Korea emergency responders. The USAG Humphreys department works closely with the Pyeongtaek Fire Department throughout the year, conducting joint training sessions, participating in ceremonies, and providing mutual assistance during emergency operations.
U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys is the “Army’s Home in Korea.” The garrison’s area of responsibility includes Camp Humphreys, Camp Yongin, K-16 Airfield and 11 other smaller sites within Areas II and III of U.S. Forces Korea. Camp Humphreys – located along the western coast of the Republic of Korea within the seaport city of Pyeongtaek – is the hub of USFK and headquarters for the Eighth Army, the 2nd Infantry Division, and the U.S. Army’s most active airfield in the Pacific – Desiderio Army Airfield.
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