BARSTOW, Calif. -- Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow Fire and Emergency Services Division members set the standard for overall excellence in 2007, taking home two prestigious awards at the annual Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services Awards Banquet in Denver, Aug. 15.
Receiving special recognition for outstanding achievement in mission support and fire protection management, as well as excellence in fire prevention programs, the MCLB Barstow Fire Department secured both coveted pieces of hardware for the first time, culminating a demanding competition process, said Robert Wyman, fire chief, Barstow FES Division.
"First we had to submit a package to Headquarters Marine Corps in April to compete for the title of best large fire department and best fire prevention program in the Marine Corps," said the 52-year-old, who has resided in Barstow for 13 years. "After we won in those categories, we were selected to represent the Marine Corps against the other service component winners within DoD."
"This is a significant achievement and only validates the type dedication and mission focus we have across this installation," said Col. Kenneth Enzor, commanding officer, MCLB Barstow.
Despite being the smallest fire department in both personnel and equipment competing in the "large" category against formidable competition, MCLB Barstow FES Division still emerged victorious because of the quality of the personnel who make up the organization, Wyman said.
"I truly believe that we won our awards because of our people," he remarked. "The leaders of an organization can have a vision, but it’s the people who make it happen. Support is a two-way street that requires effort on both ends to achieve success."
"I feel that all of the base commanders who have served here during my time have had a hand in helping advance us toward the goal we have achieved, but Colonel Enzor may have been the catalyst that put us over the top," he added.
Wyman mentioned that because of the division’s exceptional operations branch, the department is able to provide a great deal of support both on the installation and "outside of the fence line."
"We play an integral role in the mutual aid system in the area and our involvement in life safety issues is a paramount concern, since we provide a great deal of support on the freeways outside the gate," he said. "We cover about 350 on-scene mutual aid calls off base and handle anywhere from 1,200 to 1,400 calls on base each year. It is very important for us to be considered good neighbors within our community."
He added that while winning DoD-level awards were previously unprecedented for MCLB Barstow, the installation has maintained an award-winning legacy for a number of years.
"We’ve had a tradition of excellence for awhile now," he said. "In 2005 we were named best large fire department in the Marine Corps and in 2006 our own Capt. Paul Purdy was named best firefighter in the Marine Corps. This year, in addition to the DoD awards, we received identical awards as the best in the Marine Corps for large fire department and fire prevention program."
Though garnering awards for operational and program excellence on an almost yearly basis is not a unique phenomenon for MCLB Barstow, both Enzor and Wyman expressed particular pleasure in earning awards that essentially acknowledges the base’s fire division as the best worldwide in DoD.
"I’m still in awe," said Wyman. "I know that there are some great fire departments in the Department of Defense, and to be named the best of the best is just awesome. It’s also very humbling, because you work your whole career to be the best and when you get there it’s a great feeling to be at the pinnacle of your profession."
"It still hasn’t really sunk in yet; I’m still floating," he laughed.
"I can't say enough about Chief Wyman and the Firemen of MCLB Barstow," added Enzor. "They represent the best in us all and the greater Barstow community."