Two first responders from Defense Logistics Agency Installation Support San Joaquin, Calif., were honored Feb. 9 at the American Legion Post 172 Law and Order Recognition Dinner in Tracy, Calif.
DLA San Joaquin Firefighter Jesus Ortega III and Police Lt. Alfonso Martes were nominees the South San Joaquin County District’s firefighter and police officer of the year. They competed against the best first responders from the Tracy Fire and Police departments, San Joaquin County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol Tracy Division, and California Department of Correction’s Deuel Vocational Institute.
Ortega, a paramedic, was this year’s winner in the fire department category, enabling him to compete for regional firefighter of the year honors.
“While going through the process of selecting an employee to nominate as firefighter of the year, we took a very close look at characteristics and traits, and Ortega immediately stood out above all others,” DLA Installation Support Fire Chief Sean Edwards said. “He has excelled and led by example and continues to be a positive and motivating member of our department.”
Edward’s nomination stated that Ortega has dedicated his professional and personal time to the implementation and success department’s Advanced Life Support program. He is the ALS program manager and an evaluator for emergency medical technician skills, helping ensure personnel are ready and able to provide emergency care. He is a county, state, and nationally certified paramedic and recently renewed his advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support certifications, according to the nomination.
Ortega is enrolled at the University of Phoenix, where he is working toward a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and he holds an associate’s degree in fire science. He also serves in the Air Force Reserve as a first sergeant with the 349th Civil Engineering Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
Edwards said that Ortega not only goes above and beyond in helping his fellow firefighters, but contributes to the community as well. He is an active participant with the “Fill the Boot” campaign in conjunction with the Combined Federal Campaign, is a member of American Legion Post 190, and is a lead paramedic for ambulance services in Escalon, Calif.
"This is an honor, and I am very proud to be recognized with fellow public safety officers of the Tracy community and would like to thank Fire Chief Sean Edwards and the DLA San Joaquin Fire Department for this recognition,” Ortega said. “This would not have been possible without my fellow professional firefighters that I serve with daily at the DLA San Joaquin Fire Department.”
DLA San Joaquin Police Chief Troy Covington said Martes is as an outstanding officer whose unwavering support to the department led to his nomination. He has been part of the DLA police force for 11 years and is a certified active shooter, pepper spray and explosive-detection instructor.
“Lt. Martes never complains, but salutes and executes,” Covington said. “He truly has a can-do attitude, which is represented by the many hats he wears in the agency.”
A significant event that led to Martes’ nomination was his involvement in a dispatch to assist with a medical emergency that evolved into a criminal act when officers discovered marijuana plants in an upstairs bedroom, Covington said. Martes, the shift supervisor, directed and assisted officers securing the scene, who detained the suspect and safeguarded four children who were in the home. The suspect was arrested, and more than 126 grams of marijuana was seized.
In his local community, Martes serves as a Sea Cadet instructor. He said he takes pride in coaching and mentoring the program’s youth, instilling patriotism, courage and self-reliance.