IAFC and Pierce Honor 2014 Fire Chiefs of the Year
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and Pierce Manufacturing Inc., announced the 2014 winners of the Fire Chief of the Year awards at IAFC's 2014 Fire-Rescue International conference in Dallas. Chief Alan J. Martin of the Tuscaloosa (AL) Fire & Rescue Department was named Career Fire Chief of the Year and Chief Chris Barron of the Manchaca (TX) Volunteer Fire Department was selected as Volunteer Chief of the Year. The winners were selected by a committee appointed by the IAFC and are honored for their dedication and leadership in fire and emergency services.
“We acknowledge and appreciate the many achievements that both Chief Alan Martin and Chief Chris Barron have made to their departments, the fire service and their communities,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “Pierce [an Oshkosh Corporation company] is honored to be a part of this important event as the fire service pays tribute to these leaders for their dedication, accomplishments and outstanding character.”
Chief Martin is a 40-year veteran of the fire service, starting with the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service and serving there until 2002 when he was appointed as fire chief of the Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue Service (TFRS).
During his tenure, Martin has led a transformation of TFRS to become an excellent, progressive fire department that operates optimally as a result of structural and operational changes. For his outstanding leadership, in 2013, Chief Martin was named Fire Chief of the Year by both the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs and the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs.
Chief Barron has served in the demanding positions of volunteer fire chief of Manchaca Fire/Rescue and executive director of the State Firemen's and Fire Marshal's Association (SFFMA) of Texas concurrently since 2006 (his service with Manchaca Fire/Rescue began in 1990). His track record in both roles illustrates his commitment to the fire service and to professionalism.
As Manchaca Fire/Rescue fire chief, Barron led the department's transition from an all-volunteer to a combination department serving an area of 12 square miles and a population of more than 17,000 during a period of tremendous growth. As executive director of SFFMA, he has garnered respect for his focus on firefighter education and for coordinating and supervising the construction of the new SFFMA headquarters.
New Guide for Family Members of Volunteer Responders
Joining the volunteer fire service means a lifestyle change, not only for the individual volunteer, but also for their entire family. To help family members navigate the volunteer fire service life, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) partnered with FirefighterWife.com to create the new resource, What to Expect: A Guide for Family Members of Volunteer Firefighters.
The guide is intended for spouses, children, parents, siblings or significant others of volunteer and paid-on-call responders. It introduces family members to the basics of the volunteer firefighter life and provides guidance for keeping family relationships strong, being part of the fire department family, and more. There are also first-hand accounts from volunteer firefighters and their family members along with an array of tips and resources to help first responder families adjust to this lifestyle.
The guide is available for free download from the NVFC website, or print copies may be ordered from the NVFC store. For a limited time only, NVFC members can order up to 25 print copies for free; access the discount code in the Members-Only section of the NVFC website.
Kaua’i Fire Department Honored with Ben Franklin Award for Valor
The daring two-day rescue of 121 hikers stranded by a sudden flash flood along the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast of Kaua’i, HI, ranks as one of the largest trail rescues in island history. Facing torrential rain, gusting winds and rising waters, Rescue 3 of the Kaua’i Fire Department repeatedly put their own lives at risk to return all 121 survivors to safety.
The heroic actions of Rescue 3 are being lauded with the 2014 presentation of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) and Motorola Solutions’ prestigious Benjamin Franklin Fire Service Award for Valor. For 45 years, the award has recognized first responders around the world for their expert training, leadership, heroic actions and safe practices.
Medals were presented to Captain Gordon Tamura, Rescue Specialists Aaron Hawthorne and Adam Hussey, Rescue Operator Bryan Doo and pilot Clifton Cates at the general session of Fire-Rescue International on August 14 in Dallas, TX.
On April 6, 2014, Rescue 3 received an alert that at least 20 people were stranded along the popular Kalalau Trail. Fast-rising waters had made the river impassable. Strong winds and torrential rain were imminent as their helicopter lifted off.
After multiple trips to the steep river canyon and rescuing 23 people, Rescue 3 learned that 98 people were stranded on high ground. With night falling and conditions deteriorating, their mission had to be suspended until daybreak. Captain Tamura sent Hussey and Hawthorne back in with provisions and first aid. They built shelters and fires and kept all 98 survivors safe and in good spirits throughout the night.
At dawn, the river was still too high to cross. Four survivors at a time and 25 helicopter trips later, Rescue 3 had transported a total of 121 people, ages 18 months to 71 years, to safety.
“I will never look at another firefighter the same way,” said one survivor. “I now intimately know the risks they take and the sacrifices they make to ensure the safety of others. That day, it was evident to all 121 of us, we were in excellent hands.”
This Month in Fire History
October 2, 1922 – First national Fire Prevention Week proclaimed by President Warren Harding
October 7, 1979 – First Fire Fighters memorial Sunday is held
October 8, 1871, Peshtigo, WI – Forest fire kills 1,152 people
October 8, 1871, Chicago, IL – Great Chicago fire kills 250
October 15, 1984, Washington, DC – US Postal Service headquarters fire
October 17, 1966, New York, NY – Mercantile building fire kills 12 firefighters
October 20, 1873, Baltimore, MD – International Association of Fire Chiefs founded
October 23, 1989, Pasadena, TX – Phillips Petroleum plant fire
October 28, 1915, Peabody, MA – St. John’s Parochial School fire kills 22
October 29, 1974 – Federal Fire Prevention & Control Act of 1974 creates U.S. Fire Administration
Courtesy of NFPA
For details on fires that occurred 100 years ago this month, turn to Paul Hashagen’s “Rekindles” on page XXX.
