DVIDS – News – Marine Region Korea Fire Chief Fulfills Childhood Dream

As a world traveler, you may feel like you’ve hit the proverbial jackpot in life when your career and passion take you to far-flung corners of the world for most of your career.

Fleet Activities Chinhae (CFAC) and Naval Region Korea (CNRK) Fire Chief Gil Chavez has experienced this exact feeling in 30 of his 32-year career as a firefighter.

“For as long as I can remember, I have always dreamed of becoming a firefighter and traveling the world,” said Chavez, a native of Riverside, California. “I made this dream a reality through my service in the United States Navy.”

Chavez enlisted in the Navy in April 1993 and began his lifelong service in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (ABH), whose duties included casualty rescue, firefighting and aircraft recovery. He served on three ships – USS Independence (CV 62), USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and USS Boxer (LHD-4) – and traveled the world early in his career. Subsequent assignments in the Fire and Rescue Service (F&ES) in Rota, Spain and Souda Bay, Crete increased his passion for travel while he continued to excel in firefighting, culminating in the highlight of his career: winning the Department of the Navy’s military commission (DON). From 2007 to 2010, he was named Firefighter of the Year four times in a row while stationed in Spain.

“Being named and recognized as the Navy’s top fire officer in front of my colleagues, friends and family was an honor that validated my lifelong ambition,” he said. “These awards also confirmed my career principles: mastering the fundamentals of firefighting and management. Fire programs are key to work, willing to contribute and learn.”

Chavez retired from active service as ABH chief in 2013 and continued his service as a federal firefighter. His civilian career took him from Spain to Bahrain to Japan before settling in Chinhae, South Korea. “Every assignment has deepened my leadership and fire protection skills,” he said. “This international experience with host countries has enriched my career enormously.”

In 2023, he assumed his current dual role as senior R&ES officer and program manager, providing expert advice on all R&ES matters in the region. “I develop policy, provide technical instructions and distribute resources to the regional and installation commanders,” said Chavez, who holds a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

According to Chavez, under his leadership, CFAC’s single-engine fire station maintains the same high standards as larger agencies worldwide. Staffing challenges were quickly addressed and the level of services were adequately delivered, resulting in a budget increase that significantly improved operational readiness, as well as the department passing the critical regional assistance visit, he said.

Looking forward, Chavez wants to develop a comprehensive five-year strategic plan to guide the CFAC Fire Department toward accreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. “This accreditation is a mark of excellence and underlines our commitment to continuous improvement and high standards in the fire and rescue service,” he said. “Only about 18 fire departments in the Navy have accomplished this, and I want CFAC F&ES to be one of them.”

While his career has been filled with professional successes, Chavez recognizes the personal sacrifices that come with serving in the Navy. He thanks his wife Miriam for her unwavering support during their 23 years of marriage. “Miriam is the glue that holds our family together,” he said. “She provided us with significant support in various tasks and professional requirements.”

Family is at the heart of Chávez’s journey and his pride extends beyond his own achievements. “My wife and I met in Spain. We have four sons and one granddaughter. Two of our sons are following in my footsteps: one served as an Air Force firefighter and another trained as a U.S. Marine at the Department of Defense Fire Academy,” he beamed proudly. “I look forward to the day when we can serve together in the same firehouse. Then my dream of becoming a firefighter and traveling the world will not only come true, but also blossom into something even more meaningful: leading a legacy of service and protecting others and inspiring the next generation of firefighters in my family. “