Marines

Photo Information

Members of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s Fire and Emergency Services Department pose for a group picture with Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Gorry (left), commanding general of Marine Corps Installations East – MCB Camp Lejeune, and Sgt. Maj. Ernest K. Hoopii (right), sergeant major of MCI East – MCB Camp Lejeune after being recognized for achieving national accreditation. Earning national accreditation is an honor for fire stations across the country and speaks volumes on the quality of work the department exemplifies while doing its job. (Official Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting

Lejeune’s Fire and Emergency Services Department earns national accreditation

1 Oct 2012 | Lance Cpl. Scott W. Whiting Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s Fire and Emergency Services Department received national accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International recently, and the department was presented with the award Oct. 1 from the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations East – MCB Camp Lejeune.

Achieving national accreditation through the CFAI requires being reviewed for approximately 4 days from CFAI officials who judge the quality of work practiced by different agencies. Earning national accreditation is the benchmark of success many fire and emergency service departments are measured by.

“This is a great team award,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Gorry. “I’m all about the team concept and this is just a fantastic all-around achievement.”

Gorry said he’s happy to have a group of hard-working individuals aboard the installation who strive for excellence.

“Fire stations that receive accreditation need to be reviewed by the CFAI every year,” said Glenn Zurek, assistant fire chief of training and prevention for Camp Lejeune’s Fire and Emergency Services Department. “The stations must also go through the accreditation process every five years to make sure the safe and effective measures are still being taken. It’s taken us approximately five years to earn this honor, and I couldn’t be more proud of everyone in our department.”

Gorry challenged the department to seek improvement, and not let awards and accolades stop them from doing their jobs to the fullest extent.

“We always try to serve people,” said Gorry. “This is the pinnacle of hard work paying off. I know the (department) will still looks for ways to become even more efficient.”