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AFGSC announces Fire and Emergency Services Awards

  • Published
  • By Crystal Jordan
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Air Force Global Strike Command recently recognized the Command's Fire and Emergency Service Award winners for 2009 for their outstanding accomplishments in fire and emergency services.

AFGSC announced winners for 2009 Fire Department of the Year, Fire Program of the year and various individual awards, honoring Air Force fire departments, firefighters and heroes throughout the command, according to AFGSC officials.

"Our Airmen have not only made a difference, they were the difference in saving lives," said Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Walsh, Air Force Global Strike Command's Fire and Emergency Services functional manager. "We run into burning buildings as others run out. We arrive to a scene of chaos and instill a sense of calmness while preventing loss of life or property."

Fire Department of the Year / Fire Prevention Program of the Year
The 90th Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire Emergency Services Flight at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., is the command's Fire Department of the Year and also had the Fire Prevention Program of the Year.

The flight responded to 361 medical, structural and hazardous material incidents in 2009.

In the surrounding community, the flight raised and donated more than $1,300 in toys for the Denver Children's Hospital burn center patients. Additionally, the unit volunteered more than 6,000 hours at local fire districts and departments.

"It's a privilege to lead a team of such dedicated professionals," said John McDougall, fire chief at F.E. Warren. "Day in and day out [they] set the standard for excellence."

Civilian Firefighter of the Year
Mr. Joshua Sarters, a 90th CES firefighter, received the Civilian Firefighter of the Year Award for AFGSC.

According to officials, Mr. Sarters used his body as a fulcrum in order to free a critically trapped victim while responding to a collision involving 15 tractor-trailers.

Military Firefighter of the Year
A 90th CES firefighter, Senior Airman Lucero Cardenas was recognized as AFGSC Military Firefighter of the Year.

Airman Cardenas provided comfort and care to an 89-year-old head trauma victim, providing cervical spine stabilization which was vital to the victim's spinal integrity and overall recovery.

Civilian Fire Officer of the Year
90th CES fire officer Mr. Greg Chesser was named the AFGSC Civilian Fire Officer of the Year.

While off-duty, Mr. Chesser led a response team to an accident involving 17 vehicles and nine injured persons. He extracted one of the injured, stabilizing the person's condition after massive external injuries.

Military Fire Officer of the Year
Master Sgt. Thaddeus Reiste, a fire officer with the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., was recognized as AFGSC Military Fire Officer of the Year.

After establishing an interim NATO fire department at Kabul Airport, Sergeant Reiste hired and mentored the new Afghan Air Corps chief of prevention, and worked in conjunction with him to build the AAC's first-ever fire prevention program.

AFGSC winners will go on to compete at the Air Force level.