Former Guam resident Jeremy Flores has been named Firefighter of the Year for the Southern Nevada Engine Program, recognized for his grit and heart on the frontlines of America's most dangerous blazes.

"I definitely was shocked," he said. "I felt accomplished with it. it was a rough year. I was home only 2-3 days a week at the time." He’s a son of Guam whose drive to serve took him beyond our shores — straight into the heart of the danger. The 28-year-old Flores, a former island resident, was recognized under the Bureau of Land Management. "This year I got hired as a seasonal which we work throughout the summer and the fire season, I got offered a permanent position but with the shutdown, I'm not sure," he added.

Flores is part of a Type 2 handcrew — roughly 20 men and women trained for grueling missions that can stretch for weeks in dangerous conditions. "We are federally funded so we are part of Bureau of Land Management. Our coverage is whole Southern Nevada where there is a bunch of different districts here," he said.

They’re the boots on the ground in the nation’s wildland firefighting efforts — building containment lines, cutting brush, and protecting lives and property. "There's a bunch of these guys here they all have families, they've all been through it they share how to process it, and how to pass time. Just know you are doing it for a reason. You are not helping yourself and families, you are helping the communities...you are helping towns, and wildlife...you feel accomplished at the same time," he said.

It’s a demanding life — one that tests endurance, heart, and will power. But through it all, Flores says the lessons he learned growing up on Guam — hard work, faith, and family — keep him grounded. "I would like to thank my family, my grandma, mom, brothers, sister, my wife, kid, and the whole Southern Nevada. Because without all of them I probably would not be where I am now," he said.

From the Pacific to the Nevada desert, his story is one of courage and commitment — showing that no matter how far you go, the spirit of Guam continues to burn bright.

For his leadership and service, Flores stands as proof that island pride can carry you through even the fiercest fires.