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| Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Pacheco | 180315-N-NU281-0001 PEARL HARBOR (March 18, 2018) Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Laird is recognized as the Navy Military Firefighter of the Year for District 3, Navy Region Hawaii, by Rear Admiral Brian Fort, commander, Navy Region Hawaii. As the winner of the Navy Military Firefighter of the Year award, Laird will be submitted as the Navy's representative to compete against winners in the same category from other branches of the military at the Department of Defence level. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Pacheco) |
PEARL HARBOR, HI, UNITED STATES
03.15.2018
Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Pacheco
Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii
The spirit of camaraderie and cooperation between the U.S. Navy and Air Force is alive and well at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, as evidenced most recently by Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon Laird, who was just annouced the Navy Military Firefighter of the Year.
As the winner of the Navy Military Firefighter of the Year award, Laird will be submitted as the Navy's representative to compete against winners in the same category from other branches of the military at the Department of Defence (DOD) level.
Laird said it was inspiring to work together alongside Navy Firefighters and that he is excited to take what he learned back to his team.
“Working with the Navy’s firefighters was a great and very intensive learning experience,” said Laird. “They clearly take firefighting very seriously, and that shows in how they train and in how they fight.”
The annual award recognizes accomplishments, technical competence, leadership ability, initiative, and resourcefulness. It also identifies an active duty, reserve or National Guard military firefighter for a superior job performance and outstanding contributions.
“I’m very thankful for the joint-service attitude and approach at our Federal Fire Department and for what they bring to the fight,” said Col. Doug Pierce, Deputy Joint Base Commander. “They work as one team – Navy, Air Force, and civilian – and that is truly inspiring. My congratulations to Airman 1st Class Laird and the Federal Fire team. You are all leading the way!”
Laird said he is proud of his accomplishments but the opportunity to help others and to serve as an example was and is more important to him. “Awards and recognition are nice, but it's not the reason of why I do what I do.”
Among his accomplishments, Laird provided fire protection to 185,000 military and civilian personnel, 11,000 facilities, 63 aircraft and 39 Navy ships, all valued at over $53 billion. He’s also led the charge in combatting several fires, saving lives and millions of dollars in equipment and property.
Laird’s hard work did not go unnoticed by his peers and supervisors.
“The men and women of the Federal Fire Department represent a committed and professional workforce dedicated to protecting those who defend America,” said Gregg Moriguchi, Regional Fire Chief. “The competition in these categories is extremely high, and Laird best displayed our principles of professionalism, continuous improvement, hazard awareness, and setting an example for others to follow.”
Presented by Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), the Navy Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) awards program was instituted in 1997. Nominees are selected based on criteria developed by the DoD F&ES working group, which is composed of the chiefs of the service components' respective F&ES programs.
A formal award recognition ceremony will be held in May at CNIC headquarters at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington D.C.
For more information about the Navy's F&ES program, visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil/om/operating_forces_support/fire_and_emergency_services.html
