Congratulations are in order to the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Fire Department.

The Kings Bay Fire Department was awarded Fire Department of the Year (small category) in the southeast region Feb. 15, and will continue on to compete for the Navy Fire and Emergency Service Annual Awards.

"This is the third consecutive year we won," said Kings Bay Fire Chief, Freddie Thompson Jr. "They look at our responses, and what we do as far as safety with our firefighters. They also look at the quality of life and anything we do to conserve money."

More than 17 installations in the southeast region competed for the award, and six competed in the small category. Upon submitting a package to the region, the installations are compared, and a winner is selected based on three different categories. The winners go on to compete Navywide and then on to DoD.

Thompson said last year they won the Navywide award also, and went on to compete for the DoD awards.

"This fire department has only been operational as a DoD fire department for three years," Thompson said.

Not only did the Kings Bay Fire Department achieve excellence, but Asst. Chief Tom Middleton of the department was also awarded the Emergency Medical Services Provider of the Year for the southeast region. He too will go on to compete Navywide.

"I'm dedicated to the department," said Middleton. "I honestly believe in what we do and what we are trying to accomplish here."

Overall accomplishments, performance of job duties, service provided to the community and leadership skills are all evaluated when considered for the award.

Middleton said without his team at Kings Bay the award would not have been possible.

"I think where we came from three years ago as a starter fire department, so to speak, and all of the hard work that these guys put in every single year, we deserved it," Thompson said.

The Kings Bay Fire Department expects to hear outcomes for the Navy Fire and Emergency Service Awards by early April.


For more news from Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., visit www.navy.mil/.