Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center was among five Army installations honored Dec. 6, during the inaugural Army Community Partnership Recognition Ceremony at the Pentagon.
“Across the Army, we are becoming more efficient and effective,” said Under Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy. “Partnerships are an important way America’s varsity team is doing more with less, to ensure our resources support Soldiers maintaining their tactical and technical advantage.
“Our partnerships enable us to learn from others, and make us more innovative,” he added. “They are a priority, and we are pleased to recognize our winners.”
Fighting forest fires and bringing in economic development to the local area are the undertakings behind Camp Guernsey’s partnerships in Wyoming.
The Army installation takes part in a fire management plan with Platte, Goshen, Converse and Natrona counties for reciprocal support in wildland firefighting operations, which has significantly decreased response time and increased support and resources, according to Col. John Papile, the camp’s garrison commander.
“This partnership addresses cooperation, interagency working relationships and protocols, financial arrangements, and joint activities across 39 federal, state and local fire agencies, which have signed to provide mutual support,” Papile said.
The agreement also includes eight hours of reciprocal support between Camp Guernsey and the surrounding Platte County before services become reimbursable.
“The ability to leverage finite fire suppression assets across these organizations is fiscally responsible and represents a fine example of stewardship,” he said.
The Wyoming Military Department, in conjunction with the town of Guernsey and the Guernsey Economic Development Board, has also hired an economic development coordinator to implement community development projects and activities.
The coordinator serves as a liaison between the principal partners to spur local economic growth.
“His efforts have born significant fruit as he secured approximately $6.2 million in grants and special tax levies to fund Infrastructure and quality of life projects that support the community, installation employees, and visiting units,” Papile said.
In the future, the installation plans to build on its collaborative efforts with the local area.
“These relationships have absolutely had a positive effect on community relations,” he said. “We look forward to continuing, expanding, and fostering these partnerships to enhance relations and conserve resources.”