MCAAP’s fire safety education prevents tragedy

Story by Julia Hawkins February 10, 2026 at 09:46AM A five-year-old boy is being hailed as a hero after he used a vital fire safety technique to save himself during a frightening backyard accident. Dawson Wright, who suffered burns after his clothes caught fire, remembered the "stop, drop, and roll" lesson taught by the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant Fire Department, an action that likely prevented more severe injuries. The MCAAP Fire Department’s public education team visits numerous schools every October, teaching thousands of children crucial fire safety lessons through memorable methods like puppets, songs, and live demonstrations. In recognition of his bravery, the MCAAP Fire Department honored Dawson with a "hero's welcome" on January 30. He was picked up in a fire engine, presented with a custom fire helmet and cake, and made an honorary member of the department, reinforcing the powerful connection between the community and its protectors.

Fort McCoy firefighters provide mutual aid support to fire in Tomah

Story by Scott Sturkol February 05, 2026 at 06:23PM Firefighters with the Fort McCoy Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Department responded to a mutual aid call for a fire response Jan. 25 of a structure fire in Tomah, Wis.

Fort McCoy firefighters provide mutual aid support to fire in Tomah

Story by Scott Sturkol February 05, 2026 at 06:23PM Firefighters with the Fort McCoy Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Department responded to a mutual aid call for a fire response Jan. 25 of a structure fire in Tomah, Wis.

USAG Stuttgart Fire Department blazes a trail with double win

Story by Balmina Sehra January 30, 2026 at 09:23AM U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart is all fired up after receiving the news that their fire department won Fire Department of the Year in the Small category. The award honors the exceptional performance of fire departments with fewer than three firefighting teams across Europe.

Ready, Exercise: MCB Camp Pendleton Conducts CPX II, a Hazardous Materials Training Exercise

Story by Cpl. Jacqueline Akamelu January 29, 2026 at 04:59PM Semper Durus is an annual interagency training exercise designed to strengthen regional defense, test anti-terrorism measures, and ensure personnel safety against evolving threats across Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Before, during, and after Semper Durus, agencies aboard the installation maintain readiness and response effectiveness through targeted training exercises focused on specific areas. With the focus on response effectiveness, partnering agencies across the installation participated in Command Post Exercise II at MCB Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 28, 2026. The intent of CPX II was to combine the efforts of various agencies across Marine Corps Installations West to exercise staff actions in response to a simulated contamination of the installation’s food supply. This included verifying the safety and security of food sources and their delivery, identifying the impact of food delivery interruptions, determining required response actions to re-establish safe food distribution, and exercising the Camp Pendleton Fire Department’s hazardous materials response procedures.