The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

‘Mr. Disaster Preparedness’ wins top DOD award

by Kenji Thuloweit, 412th Test Wing Public Affairs • September 28, 2017

David Babcock, 812th Civil Engineer Squadron, poses with the top individual award along with Robert G. Salesses, deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Integration and Defense Support of Civil Authorities. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trevor Wiegel)

EDWARDS AFB – His award recommendation calls him “Mr. Disaster Preparedness.” He also has another alter ego — Eddie Bee Ready. Now, he can be called a Department of Defense award winner.

David Babcock of the 812th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Emergency Management Flight was named the top individual award winner for an active duty component at the DOD’s 2016 National Preparedness Award Ceremony Sept. 21.

Babcock was presented the award in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon outside Washington D.C.

“It’s humbling to win this type of award, it feels like my work is getting noticed,” Babcock said. “Leadership has put me on a path where I can do my job. It’s a huge accomplishment, and even though it says it’s an individual award, it’s really a team effort; it’s my whole team and supervision.”

Babcock’s award was one of six handed out by the DOD. The department’s National Preparedness Awards recognize significant achievement and innovation in preparedness by DOD individuals, organizations, and installations. The recipients must demonstrate exceptional achievements in preparedness and leadership within the DOD and its communities, said the official award announcement.

Members of the 812th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management Flight regularly dress up as the readiness mascot, including David Babcock who recently won the individual category of the Department of Defense’s 2016 National Preparedness Awards. (Courtesy photo)

Babcock was nominated locally by the 412th Civil Engineer Group for his efforts and accomplishments that include everything from protecting base assets and the test mission with training and materials, to engaging with the entire Antelope Valley community on mutual disaster preparedness efforts.

Babcock also helped support civilian first responders with equipment following a local mudslide that trapped motorists following a heavy rain storm. Additionally, he is a key member of the Los Angeles County Air Show team helping organizers develop disaster plans, according to his award recommendation write-up.

“I started taking an interest in emergency management when we had the F-22 crash a few years back. I was working in CE’s Pavements Shop and graded the roads so people could get to the crash site. I started volunteering in other aspects of emergency response and eventually, after bugging supervision, they sent me to Fort Leonard Wood (Missouri) to undergo Emergency Management training.”

Babcock added that he is a “big people person” and what he likes best about his job is working with the base populace and educating children where at times he dons the Eddie Bee Ready costume, which is the Emergency Management Flight’s readiness mascot.

–

Filed Under: Edwards AFB

Recent Comments

  • Tisha Jones on Lancaster man in custody in shooting death of woman at Gardena motel: “And to be honest alex never carried no pistol he was to scary he might of fought when he was…” May 17, 16:17
  • Tim Scott on Newsom proclaims May “Small Business Month”: “Just took a quick look at 50th in Quartz Hill…for all this “killing it” you say is going on how…” May 17, 16:15
  • Tim Scott on Newsom proclaims May “Small Business Month”: “LOL…”but look! Here’s ONE” that makes all trend analysis wrong!!!” Off Sierra Highway so I guessed wrong. Are you in…” May 17, 16:01
  • Stinger on Readers Speak Out! (new): “Honestly, I have not yet had a chance to read up on what they might actually be proposing on this,…” May 17, 15:55
  • Sonya on Newsom proclaims May “Small Business Month”: “Your wrong. Im sitting here at my successful small business on 50th St. Quartz hill killing it just like all…” May 17, 15:46

Copyright © 2022 · The AV Times LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use