Homestead Fire Department garners two command-level awards

Published Feb. 13, 2015
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- The 482nd Mission Support Group Civil Engineering Flight was selected as the Air Force Reserve Command's Department of Defense Fire Department of the Year in the medium category.

Gianno Nogueras, 482nd MSG/CEF fire protection specialist, was also selected as the AFRC's DoD Civilian Firefighter of the Year. In the award package for Nogueras, he employed his structural and aircraft incident disciplines knowledge to provide critical training to members of the fire response team.

In the award nomination for the Fire Department of the Year, the department here was rated excellent during the 2014 Unit Effectiveness Inspection for their Fire Emergency Services Assessment Program. As a team, the department responded to more than 330 on-base incidents that resulted in zero instances of fire damage.

"The fire department is a critical element to supporting the fighter wing mission," said Col. Elwin Rozyskie, 482nd FW/MSG commander. "Being selected for these two command-level awards recognizes them for the excellence in which they perform here on a daily basis."

In a memo releasing the results, Brig. Gen. Curtis Williams, AFRC Director of Installations and Mission Support, wrote, "The selection process was difficult due to the outstanding achievements of many units and individual nominees. However, the dedication and accomplishments of these award nominees merits special recognition. I am extremely proud of their efforts and continued dedication to the Air Force Mission."

The AFRC award winners will go on to compete at the Air Force level.

USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)