Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) has named First Coast Navy Fire and Emergency Services as the CNRSE Fire Prevention Program of the Year.
First Coast Navy Fire and Emergency Services is a joint unit between NAS Jax and NS Mayport that spreads awareness in addition to their firefighting efforts and training.
“I want to commend our Fire Prevention Team on this recognition for their dedication to keeping NAS Jax and NS Mayport safe through various initiatives,” said First Coast Navy Fire and Emergency Services Fire Chief Mark Brusoe. “Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention Robert Winchester is an exceptional lead supervisor and strives for excellence every day. I am so proud of all this team has accomplished.”
Being more innovative and interactive with the community and public at large set First Coast apart from other agencies.
“Personally I think we won because we are innovative, we do things that other bases do not or have not done,” said Winchester. “We initiate programs while many others follow programs.”
First Coast brought in innovative internal maintenance and cleanliness tracking programming to monitor commercial kitchen systems, coordinated and conducted research for testing and maintaining installed fire protections systems ensuring total compliance, and partnered with the Navy Exchange to develop a food truck inspection program.
Among their community outreach, the fire prevention team hosted fire station tours, presented 112 safety lectures and hands-on demonstrations, home and work evacuation planning, fire safety awareness training to child development centers, provided base resources to local schools, among other methods of public education.
“You can have no training but have awareness and still make a difference in fire prevention,” said Winchester. “We try to make everyone aware through safety standdowns, media outlets, and other trainings.”
Winchester said he feels that being more innovative and interactive with the different branches, community, and public set First Coast apart from other agencies.