CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea – U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Fire and Emergency Services has been named the “Best Large Fire Department in the Pacific Region for 2025” by the U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Pacific.
Following regional recognition, the department is now advancing to compete for the best large fire department worldwide within IMCOM, facing off against winners from other regions.
“This recognition proves that USAG Humphreys Fire and Emergency Services is the best of the best,” said Fire Chief Marcus Shepard. “It's a profound honor for our members who consistently put the community’s needs before their own, serving tirelessly day after day.”
The department’s success was further highlighted by several individual awards for 2025. Shepard himself was named IMCOM-Pacific’s Fire Chief of the Year. Additionally, Ko Pyong-son received the Fire Officer of the Year award, and Paek Won-ki was honored as Dispatcher of the Year for the region.
With approximately 150 personnel, the department operates four fire stations on Camp Humphreys and one on K-16 Airfield. In 2025, they responded to 1,379 emergencies.
Beyond their emergency response, the department has made significant contributions to community safety and education. In 2025, they reached over 65,000 people through fire prevention messages, radio spotlights on the American Forces Network, and participation in more than 32 community events, including the annual Fire Prevention Week in October.
Outreach efforts included teaching fire safety to a diverse home-school group, guiding students through a mobile fire prevention trailer at local elementary schools, and engaging the community’s youngest members at child development centers with visits from Sparky the fire safety dog.
“The firefighters here take a lot of pride in serving this community and always try their best whenever they are called upon,” said Shepard.
Shepard attributes a large part of the department’s success to its strong collaborative efforts with Republic of Korea emergency responders. The USAG Humphreys department works closely with the Pyeongtaek Fire Department throughout the year, conducting joint training sessions, participating in ceremonies, and providing mutual assistance during emergency operations.
U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys is the “Army’s Home in Korea.” The garrison’s area of responsibility includes Camp Humphreys, Camp Yongin, K-16 Airfield and 11 other smaller sites within Areas II and III of U.S. Forces Korea. Camp Humphreys – located along the western coast of the Republic of Korea within the seaport city of Pyeongtaek – is the hub of USFK and headquarters for the Eighth Army, the 2nd Infantry Division, and the U.S. Army’s most active airfield in the Pacific – Desiderio Army Airfield.