The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced the winners of its four national awards. A special banquet to honor the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Fire Prevention Award, Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, and Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award will take place during the NVFC’s spring meeting on April 5 in Alexandria, VA.
“We are very pleased to honor the 2011 NVFC award recipients and recognize the amazing contributions they have made to the emergency services,” said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “Outstanding departments and individuals from across the country were nominated for these four awards, and the recipients that were chosen truly exemplify outstanding service and commitment to the fire service. We thank you for all you do to strengthen the emergency services and protect your communities.”
Recipients of the NVFC’s four national awards receive a trip to Alexandria to attend the award ceremony, a personalized award, and complimentary one-year membership in the NVFC, among other items. In addition, members of the Junior Firefighter Program of the Year will spend a day on Capitol Hill meeting their Congressional representatives.
Learn more about the NVFC’s awards program at www.nvfc.org/awards. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site and e-newsletters in April for additional information about each award winner as well as photos from the awards banquet.
The recipients of the NVFC’s 2011 awards are as follows:
Chief Glenn Jernigan NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award
Award sponsored by Scott Health and Safety
Chief Glenn Jernigan has served in many capacities during his 51 years in the fire service, including firefighter, EMT, chief officer, and board member, and is a past-president of the North Carolina State Firemen’s Association (NCSFA). Jernigan retired as Chief of Faison (NC) Fire and Rescue in 2006 after 36 years, and continues to serve the department as Safety Officer. He is a strong advocate for firefighter training and was instrumental in promoting and growing the North Carolina Fire College, resulting in thousands of volunteer firefighters receiving training through the College. He also played a key role in helping to promote and grow the NCSFA scholarship program, which helps children of firefighters achieve their educational goals. Jernigan, who retired as Sheriff of Duplin County in 2002, is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award, which is the highest honor presented by the state of North Carolina.
Kenneth Pagels NVFC Fire Prevention Award
Award sponsored by First Alert
Kenneth Pagels has been an active firefighter at the Akron (NY) Volunteer Fire Company for 40 years and has been teaching fire prevention for almost as long. His fire prevention program includes teaching local grade school and nursery-age children how to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency, what a firefighter looks like in full gear, how to stay low and get out of a home when there is fire or smoke, and cooking safety. In 1994, Pagels worked with a local trade school to build a trailer to use for fire safety exercises. His work has inspired numerous individuals to volunteer at the department as a firefighter or EMT. There has not been a fire fatality in his district since he began the fire prevention program almost four decades ago.
Lake Carmel Fire Department NVFC Junior Firefighter Program of the Year
Award sponsored by Tyco International
The Lake Carmel (NY) Fire Department Explorer Post #2041 was established in 1979. Since then, over 50 former Explorers have joined their local fire department after graduation. The Explorer Post works side by side with the fire department, assisting at drills, fundraisers, and community events. Explorers frequently teach fire prevention at local schools. For the last 10 years the Lake Carmel Explorer Post has hosted a training and competition weekend. The weekend was started in 2002 in honor of junior firefighters across the country who were killed responding to calls. Since its inception, the Post has been invited to other events that have been modeled after the Lake Carmel weekend. They have also worked with other departments hoping to establish youth programs.
Brendan Finley-Davis NVFC Junior Firefighter of the Year
Award sponsored by Tyco International
Brendan Finley-Davis has been a junior firefighter with the Hackberry Township (KS) Volunteer Fire Department for over six years. Finley-Davis is consistently one of the first on the scene in an emergency call and the last to leave, making sure all clean-up is done and equipment is ready for the next use before he heads home. Thanks to his teaching and leadership skills, Finley-Davis is in charge of educating new junior firefighter program recruits about the responsibilities of being a junior firefighter. In addition, he teaches Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH) fire safety lessons to kindergarten through 3rd grade students at the local elementary schools. Finley-Davis is also a 1st Lieutenant Cadet Member of the Kansas Civil Air Patrol and is a member of the National Honor Society, track and cross country teams, and Future Farmers of America.
About the National Volunteer Fire Council
The NVFC is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.
About First Alert
BRK Brands, Inc. (Aurora, IL), is a fully owned subsidiary of Jarden Corporation (Rye, NY) NYSE:JAH, a leading provider of niche consumer products used in and around the home. For 50 years, BRK Brands, Inc. has been the manufacturer of First Alert®-branded home-safety products, the most trusted and recognized safety brands in America. BRK® Brands designs and develops innovative safety solutions including Tundra® Fire Extinguishing Spray, ONELINK® wireless alarms and a comprehensive line of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, and escape ladders to protect what matters most. Such products are also marketed under the BRK Electronics® brand, The Professional Standard for the builder and contractor audiences. BRK Brands, Inc. products are found in more than 30 countries worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.firstalert.com, http://www.brkelectronics.com, or http://www.jarden.com.
About Scott Health and Safety
Scott Health & Safety, a business unit of Tyco International, is a premiere manufacturer of innovative respiratory and other personal protective equipment and safety devices for fire and rescue services, industrial workers, police, military, and civil defense organizations around the world. With five global manufacturing locations, Scott Health & Safety produces products that protect thousands of individuals each day from environmental hazards including smoke, toxic fumes, combustible gases, falling objects, and flame contaminants. The Scott product line includes self-contained breathing apparatus, supplied air and air-purifying respirators, gas and flame detection instruments, thermal imaging cameras, air compressors, accountability systems, head, eye and face protection, and firefighter and personal protective clothing. Click here to learn more.
About Tyco International
Tyco International (NYSE: TYC) is a diversified, global company that provides vital products and services to customers in more than 60 countries and has 113,000 employees worldwide. Tyco is a leading provider of security products and services, fire protection and detection products and services, valves and controls, and other industrial products. Internationally recognized Tyco product brands include Scott, Ansul, Simplex, Sensormatic, and Software House. More information about Tyco can be found at www.tyco.com.
