Silver City Fire Chief Milo Lambert (center) received the Carl Joe Standerfer Meritorious Service Award recently at the annual New Mexico Fire and EMS Expo awards banquet in Socorro. The award was presented by Brad Brunson (left), deputy chief of training for the State Fire Marshals Office, and John Standerfer, retired state fire marshal and son of the award's namesake. Silver City-- Silver City Fire Chief Milo Lambert was awarded the Carl Joe Standerfer Meritorious Service Award recently in Socorro at the annual New Mexico Fire and EMS Expo awards banquet.  The award, given just six times since 2011, was created to honor a fire service leader whose career has demonstrated "an exemplary role in providing exceptional service to effect positive change, and who has made a significant impact on the fire service capability throughout the state of New Mexico."

"I'm honored to be recognized by my colleagues, said Lambert, and I feel very fortunate to be able to do work that I love, and to help improve fire services in New Mexico."

Photo of Milo Lambert Courtesy of Susan LoveLambert's fire service career began in 2002 when he joined the Tyrone Volunteer Fire Department.  The following year he was hired by the Town of Silver City as a paid, career firefighter, and was quickly promoted through the ranks as an engineer, lieutenant, and in 2008, to fire marshal.  As fire marshal, he instituted several code-edition updates, developed and performed a full-scale fire and life safety plans review process, and modernized how arson investigations are performed in Silver City and throughout the county. 

In 2017 he was promoted to fire chief, and since then has worked hard to improve fire inspections and firefighting plan reviews.  He also updated the department's hiring process, which has brought the department up to full staff.

Lambert, a lifelong Silver City resident, is a founding member of the New Mexico Fire and EMS Expo, the largest, statewide conference for firefighters where they receive training, update skills, and have an opportunity to network with their peers.  He also is board president of the New Mexico Fire Marshals Association, which is now pursuing several legislative changes to improve fire service throughout the state.  

A passionate fire service advocate, Lambert was also instrumental in resurrecting the state's Fire Service Council and was recently elected vice president. The Council is recognized by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) as an advisory board to help guide state fire services in New Mexico.  

"I would like to say that Chief Lambert is very deserving of this award," Assistant Silver City Fire Chief Jeff Fell said. "Chief Lambert works diligently with various state level boards and organizations such as the Public Regulations Commission and the New Mexico Fire Marshal’s Association. He is always striving to make improvements in the Fire Service, both here locally at the Silver City Fire Department as well as facilitating change across the State."