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On May 19, 1998, Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Eugene W.
Blackmon, Jr., was working a routine assignment when he and his unit
received a call that there was a drowning incident in the Little
Calumet River. Blackmon went into the river that day, tirelessly
searching for the reported two missing men. While displaying
courage, selflessness and bravery, Blackmon would, unfortunately,
not resurface alive. He was pronounced dead nearly three hours later
at The Christ Hospital emergency room.
In his honor from that
heroic day, the department created the Eugene Blackmon award to be
given to a firefighter candidate at graduation who displayed
leadership qualities.
Eder Campos, a Marine veteran, was the
recipient of the award during the Candidate Firefighter and
Emergency Medical Technician graduation ceremony on February 15, 2017 at
Chicago’s Aon Grand Ballroom on the Navy Pier.
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February 15, 2017 - Candidate Firefighter and Emergency Medical
Technician Eder Campos, Marine veteran, graduated from the Fire
Academy at the Aon Grand Ballroom on the Navy Pier in Chicago,
Illinois. Campos was awarded the Eugene Blackmon award recognizing
outstanding leadership. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jennifer
Webster)
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A humble Campos attributed the recognition to his fellow
candidates.
“It’s a great honor and I honestly didn’t
expect to win it,” said Campos. “It recognizes leadership,
qualities and traits of an outstanding firefighter, just
like Eugene Blackmon. It’s voted on by my peers, so I owe it
all to them who helped me out just as much as I helped
them.”
Before
pursuing a career as a firefighter, Campos worked as a motor
transportation mechanic for the Marine Corps from 2004 to
2014. He deployed overseas four times and received numerous
awards.
“We deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom in
the summer of 2013,” said Capt. Keith Raine, the Recruiting
Station Baton Rouge executive officer and mentor to Campos.
“He is the epitome of what we ask for in Marine Corps
leaders. It doesn’t surprise me at all that he was going to
rise to the top. It’s such a pleasure for me to work with
him and lead him and he’s honestly one of the most inspiring
Marines I’ve had the privilege to be around.”
In
addition to his numerous accomplishments, Campos had the
support of leaders who he served under.
“When we
received his file, [Campos] had recommendations from not
just his unit leader, but from majors and colonels praising
him and saying what a great asset he would be to any fire
service that he joined,” said Lt. Brian Kulaga, a member of
the Cicero Fire Department and mentor to Campos. “We’ve
learned Marines make the best firefighters. He’s worried
about winning this award, wondering if he should’ve gotten
it. But, it’s well deserved and just another step to
continued greatness in his life. We’re lucky to have him.”
Campos found, during his time in the Marines, there are
some things he’s able to take and apply to his new career
field.
“In the fire service, we have to work together
as a team, we won’t accomplish anything unless we’re working
together,” said Campos. “That’s something that was instilled
in me by the Marine Corps.”
Campos begins his
childhood dream as a firefighter and emergency medical
technician with his first assignment with the Chicago Fire
Department Engine Company 95. Although he has moved on,
Campos says he will always be thankful for everything the
Marine Corps taught him.
“It’s where it all began,
but I’m looking forward to bigger and better things,” said
Campos with a smile.
By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jennifer Webster
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
The U.S. Marines
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