Local heroes receive recognition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Soo C. Kim
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  They charge through scorching flames and rugged debris, tackling down doors and extinguishing intense fires, risking their lives to save others.

These local heroes are Yokota's firefighters. Their service and vigilance earned them the 2012 Pacific Air Forces Fire Department of the Year award - Medium Category for third year in a row and the Best of Fire Prevention Program Award for the second year in a row.

"I'm just proud and really happy for the guys and gals in the department," said Reynold Mateo, fire chief with the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron. "What they have accomplished throughout the year was captured and validated by PACAF, that we're a good department."

Master Sgt. James Beasley, assistant chief of fire prevention with the 374 CES echoed Mateo's praises.

"Awards like this give us pride in what we do and validate all the hard work our guys put in. It's a great motivator; it makes us want to try harder and win again next year and hopefully one at the Air Force level and ultimately DOD," he said.

So what made Yokota firefighters a step above the other bases in the Pacific? Mateo suggested it was the flight working as a team.

"Our flight personnel did a great job in 2012. For example, we saved an individual by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, blazed through the PACAF consolidated unit inspection with zero write ups, five strengths noted by the headquarters inspector general and facilitated and embedded Japan Air Self-Defense Force Fire Team into our main fire station," Mateo added. "We also conduct drills such as structural, aircraft and hazardous material and always try to fine tune our skills. For these drills, we have our own cadre within the Fire Department and instruct other members during the drill, helping with cost cutting by reducing the need for temporary duty."

Beasley suggested dedication to educating the public also played a big role in achieving the award.

"We are proactive. We do what we can to prevent fire," Beasley said. "The most important thing is to educate residents of Yokota on fire safety and prevention. That's the key factor."

Their program's results are clear. Over the years, the number of fires on base was significantly reduced.

"18 years ago, we had 25 to 26 fires per year on base," said Chinatsu Kano, 374 CES lead fire inspector. "Now we have only two fires on base per year, and they were all unattended cooking."

Mateo said fire prevention is always the No. 1 priority and fire response is second. Achieving an effective fire prevention program consists of fire safety education, inspection, enforcement and facility design review.

However, this cannot be achieved without the Team Yokota's help, Beasley said.

"The residents worked hard, preventing fires by being cautious," Beasley said. "Residents should take pride and confidence in the award as well. We couldn't do it without them."