Security and Emergency Services Battalion, Providing Safety in Unprecedented Times

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

05.24.2023

Story by Cpl. Angela Wilcox 

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

At 11:00 a.m., April 1st, 2023, a threat quickly emerged at an entry control gate located in the largely barren northern region of Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton. That afternoon, a lone military policeman’s alertness and hasty response to engage emergency barriers averted a base-wide security crisis. A civilian vehicle attempting to gain unauthorized access to the installation collided head-on with the engaged emergency barriers, immediately putting an end to a hot pursuit that had begun on I-5 earlier that morning. Swift and effective handling of such incidents are why Security and Emergency Service Battalion (SES Bn), MCB Camp Pendleton, are vital to the safety and security of the local population.

MCB Camp Pendleton is comprised of 125,000 acres of coastal and mountainous terrain, with eight primary gates for entry. This land makes up one of the most premiere training locations on the West Coast, as well as a residence for countless Marines, sailors, and their families. For those who call Camp Pendleton home, feeling safe and protected is not up for compromise.


The mission of Security and Emergency Services Battalion (SES Bn), MCB Camp Pendleton, involves protecting the installation and its inhabitants against all hazards—not only inside the gates, but in the surrounding community as well. 



Made up of elements such as the Camp Pendleton Fire Department, Provost Marshal’s Office, animal shelter, and Base Brig, SES Bn is well trained, and ready to serve the more than 42,000 Marines and 38,000 personnel who live and work on the installation. Interagency cooperation is essential for SES Bn to rapidly respond to any threat, and SES Bn is constantly growing its partnerships internally and in the local area.

SES Bn and its agencies are well qualified and acclaimed to resolve any issue. In fact, Camp Pendleton Fire Department won the DOD large fire department of the year award, 2022, for exceptional achievements and accomplishments while, firefighter Clinton Geopp, additionally, won the civilian firefighter of the year award, 2022.

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The strength of the battalion is its diversity… from its ability to interoperate between fire and emergency services, provost marshal and law enforcement, to the brig and the corrections staff…” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jonathan H. Vaughn, the commanding officer of Security Emergency Services Battalion, MCB Camp Pendleton.



In February 2023, the publication Installations and Logistics 2030 (I&L 2030) was released. It details improvements for support, infrastructure, and trained personnel that directly link to the emerging requirements of the future force. This calls for revampment of base-wide interests, but particularly for SES Bn.

With technology rapidly advancing and becoming easier to access, the threat of near-peer adversaries rising, and enduring natural threats, SES Bn must create a safe, efficient and resilient environment for installation personnel.

This means they must prepare for, respond to and recover from all types of hazards and threats, including destructive weather, effects of climate change, and the risk of mass shootings or vehicles attempting to bypass base gates at any and all times.

Vaughn confirms that his personnel are at the forefront of I&L 2023’s initiatives, which include ensuring our force protection efforts enable continuity of operations, protection, and the safety of our families.



The daily efforts of the men and women of SES Bn also directly contribute to the success of operational tenant commands aboard Camp Pendleton. I Marine Expeditionary Force relies on the functionality of base systems to prepare for battles ahead.

Since the release of I&L 2030, SES Bn has made strides toward optimizing their security operations. One threat that Camp Pendleton residents face is drivers operating under the influence. Over the last six months, SES Bn’s Provost Marshal’s Office has stopped 121 instances of driving under the influence; 37% of them were stopped at installation gates, and 63% were officer initiated or collision responses.



For the families that rely on SES Bn to keep them safe, new initiatives mean being able to focus on what matters most, instead of wondering how the next hazard will affect their loved ones.



SES Bn doesn’t do it all on their own though. Several interagency support agreements, most notably with local fire agencies and law enforcement, allow security and emergency services personnel aboard Camp Pendleton to neutralize any threat. They also allow off-base agencies to make use of the expansive live-fire training areas on the largest portion of undeveloped land between San Diego and Los Angeles.



For example, in the case of a large-scale fire on the base, first responders have support agreements in place with CAL FIRE and the United States Forest Service that allow them to join together to save lives.



Additionally, with opportunities like Camp Pendleton’s joint fire annual training school, local agencies are able to practice lifesaving communication and emergency coordination to be more effective in real-world scenarios. With many of the agencies working in areas surrounding Camp Pendleton, the departments rely on each other to respond efficiently to emergency wildfire scenarios.



Vaughn emphasized the importance of these relationships when it comes to meeting the goals set in I&L 2030.



“Each one of them is unique. Each one of them brings diverse capabilities, but it’s the ability to interweave those together to create a coherent response,” stated Vaughn. “No one agency is going to be able to succeed in protecting this installation, it requires a holistic approach.”



First responders aboard Camp Pendleton and in the local area take installation protection seriously. Ready and resilient installations are a critical requirement of the Marine Corps’ future success. Base personnel can expect to notice long-term improvement of security processes and stricter safety standards in the future.



Although changes are incoming, a commitment to the safety of base personnel remains the foundation of all that SES Bn does. First responders train to stop hazards at the source, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so that our families can live at ease.

• Date Taken: 05.24.2023
• Date Posted: 05.31.2023 13:58
• Story ID: 445563
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US