Okinawan named top DoD civilian firefighter

Photo By Richard Blumenstein | Morimasa Oshiro was named the Department of Defense Civilian Firefighter of the Year.  

CAMP FOSTER, JAPAN

09.15.2006

Story by Lance Cpl. Richard Blumenstein 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

by Pfc. Richard Blumenstein
III Marine Expeditionary Force PAO

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- The battalion chief for Marine Corps Bases Japan Fire Department was named the Department of Defense Civilian Firefighter of the Year Sept. 15, during a ceremony in Dallas.

Morimasa Oshiro earned Marine Corps Civilian Firefighter of the Year honors Sept. 14 and advanced to compete for the DoD-level award. A panel of judges, organized by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, then selected Oshiro for the honor.

Oshiro received the award for his efforts to certify 200 firefighters during the last year and for translating and establishing courses to qualify firefighters at higher proficiency levels, according to Brian Johnson, the fire chief for MCBJ Fire Department.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, the fire department here received the order to certify 100 percent of its firefighters at the hazardous materials technician level and the basic or intermediate DoD firefighter skill level, Johnson said.

"We were asked to develop this program after the white powder (anthrax) scares," Johnson said. "The (Hazardous Materials) course is the hardest course for MCBJ firefighters because the majority of firefighters here are local nationals and all of the courses are in English. We were faced with a difficult challenge."

Presented with this challenge, Oshiro received certifications in all necessary courses and played a key role in the translation of the courses from English to Japanese, Johnson said.

Oshiro said he continuously tries to improve his English skills by listening to tapes and studying for English proficiency tests. After taking the English versions of the courses, he, along with other firefighters, began converting the courses to Japanese. They wrote criteria for different courses and lesson plans to ensure the capability and proficiency of firefighters in various jobs.

"You could find Oshiro working all night long at his computer putting together PowerPoint presentations and making sure the courses were ready for the other firefighters," Johnson said.

A lot of firefighters had serious doubts about their ability to become certified, according to Johnson.

"We had to change their attitudes from 'I can't do this' to 'I can do this,'" he said. "Oshiro was essential for this because the men look up to him."

The hard work and dedication paid off. All of the firefighters with MCBJ Fire Department received Hazardous Materials Technician certification in addition to the basic or intermediate DoD firefighter levels, Oshiro said.

"I am honored to receive these two great awards," Oshiro said. "I extend my thanks to my fire department. They were there for my support and advice. I will continue to do everything I can to achieve my goals and objectives."

• Date Taken: 09.15.2006
• Date Posted: 10.24.2006 09:00
• Story ID: 8120
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, JP