507th member wins AFRC Fire Officer of the Year

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lauren C. Gleason
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  A firefighter with the 507th Civil Engineer Squadron received the Air Force Reserve Command's Military Fire Officer of the Year award for 2013 on May 4 at the Tinker Air Force Base theater.

Of the 28 fire flights in the Air Force Reserve Command, Master Sgt. Michael D. Bilharz was selected for the award.

Colonel Brian S. Davis, 507th Air Refueling Wing commander, presented the award to Bilharz during the May Unit Training Assembly Commander's Call. The award recognizes individual military fire officers in the rank of technical sergeant and above for superior job performance and outstanding contributions to the fire service.

Bilharz excelled during his six-month deployment and readily took on new leadership roles. He earned the wing's outstanding noncommissioned officer award due to his steadfast performance as station captain and promotion to assistant chief of fire prevention.

Lieutenant Colonel Patricia A. Pettine, 507th CES commander, says, "He has excellent military bearing, and steps in and takes care of business."

In the field, he commanded and monitored 24 emergency situations, safely evacuated all personnel following three suspicious package incidents, and investigated the cause of three fires decided how to best prevent a reoccurrence. He also assisted the city of Moore with disaster relief efforts following last year's EF5 tornado.

According to Gary Bird, city of Moore fire chief, Bilharz went above and beyond, putting the lives of others above his own. "We appreciate his efforts, but mostly his compassionate heart in our city's time of devastation."

Some notable career milestones include being promoted to master sergeant, completing the NCO Academy, obtaining a second CCAF degree and attaining his National Paramedic Certificate.

Pettine says, "I wish I had about 10 more just like him."

This is the third MAJCOM level award win for Bilharz. He was awarded AFRC's Firefighter of the Year in 2010, and Air Combat Command's Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year in 2006.