Annually, the U.S. Department of Defense honors fire departments, fire fighters, and heroes by recognizing their outstanding accomplishments through the Department of Defenses (DOD) Fire and Emergency Services Awards Program.
Assistant Fire Chief Stanley C. Torres, Jr. was hailed this year as the U.S. Department of Defense Best Fire Instructor of the Year during a ceremony on August 3. Chief Torres bested over 600 fire service instructors around the nation to receive the honor. He accepted the national recognition during a ceremony at the Fire Rescue International Conference in Denver, Colorado.
Chief Torres has served as the Assistant Fire Chief for Training for the 36th Civil Engineering Squadron, Andersen Fire & Emergency Services at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam since January 2010. Chief Torres is the President of the Western Pacific Islands Association of Fire Chiefs (WPIAFC), and holds the eleventh seat on the Western Fire Chiefs’ Association (WFCA) Board of Directors, representing the WPIAFC.
Chief Torres was an integral part of the formation of the WPIAFC. In 2011, history was made when for the first time in 50 years the WFCA Board of Directors adopted a resolution admitting the WPIAFC to the Western Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The WPIAFC represents fire and emergency organizations from the Islands of Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Palau, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Majuro.
Assistant Chief Torres’ career began in 1981 when he entered the United States Air Force, selecting Fire Protection Specialist Technical School in Illinois. His assignments have ranged from New Mexico and California to South Korea and Okinawa Japan. In 1992, he transferred to the Guam Air National Guard, and in 1993 was hired as the Training Chief for Saipan International Airport, before serving as the Saipan Airport Fire Chief from 1996 to 2008.
During his tenure as the Saipan Airport Fire Chief he established the Pacific Region Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Training Center, fully accredited by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board). The facility has trained and certified numerous fire personnel from all over Micronesia.
After retiring as the Saipan Airport Fire Chief he moved to Guam and was hired at Guam International Airport as a Consultant from March 2008 to October 2008. He then transferred to Guam US Naval Hospital as a CBRNE/EM Specialist contractor from September 2008 to January 2010.
For more information about the WFCA, visit: www.wfca.com
For more information about the WPIAFC and Chief Torres, visit: www.wpiafc.com