Courtesy photo Dave Eskildsen, Fort Detrick fire chief, Ray Wharton, Fort Detrick director of Emergency Services, Col. Judith Robinson, USAG commander and Steven Heller, Fort Detrick deputy fire chief, stand with their Department of the Army and Department of Defense fire preventionawards, Aug. 27.

Additionally, the department took top medium-size fire department and best fire prevention honors in the Army.

‘‘When it was announced I really could not believe it because I knew how hard it would be to win this one because you are up against every department in DoD no matter what the size not to mention the Navy entered their winner as an entire region.,” said Eskildsen.

“Safety is our first, last and constant concern and receiving this award based on our proactive fire prevention inspections, engineering, code compliance, enforcement, community and public education programs, and innovativeness which truly showcases that dedication,“ Eskildsen said.

At the DoD awards dinner Aug. 27 the Fort Detrick⁄Forest Glen Fire Department was announced as the overall winner of the Fire Prevention of the Year Award for the Defense Department.

“Fort Detrick's Fire Department exemplifies the concept of 'safety, first last and all the time,' and I'm incredibly proud of them,“ said Col. Judith Robinson, US Army Garrison Fort Detrick commander.

‘‘OSHA has recognized Detrick’s safety record as being in the top 1 percent of businesses in the U.S., and our firefighters are part of the reason for that.”

The Detrick Fire Department is responsible for fire prevention, fire fighting and ambulance service at Fort Detrick, including the Frederick and Forest Glen facilities, and is responsible for the Walter Reed Army Medical Center fire department as the hospital prepares to close and consolidate with the Navy Medical Center in Bethesda.

In addition to responsibilities at Fort Detrick, roughly 30 percent of the overall calls are supporting and assisting local Frederick County fire companies.