TargetSolutions, VCOS Announce Training Officer Award Winner
TargetSolutions and the International Association of Fire Chief's (IAFC) Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) announced that Michael Accardo III of the St. Tammany Fire District 9 (STFD9) in Bush, LA, has been selected as the winner of the 2017 VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award. The award aims to honor exemplary conduct befitting of a training officer.
Fire Chief Scott Brewer lauded Accardo for his dedication and innovation after leading the charge to transform his department’s training facility from run-of-the-mill into a first-class operation.
“He got the training building donated, moved it here, plumbed and powered it and then filled it with training aids from grants, donations or by buying it himself,” Brewer wrote when nominating Accardo. “He went out every night for a year and learned how to be an EMT instructor. He had STFD9 certified as an ‘institute of higher learning’ so we could teach EMT and EMR to our members and those of local departments at no charge. He has worked harder than anyone I’ve ever known to give our small rural combination department the very best training opportunity for its members (and those of our neighbors) at no charge—ever!”
Accardo, a 20-year veteran, was humbled by the award. “I could not have completed the project without help from everyone at our department,” he said. “I try to make (training) educational and also entertaining. Every Tuesday we have a training class and average 20 to 25 volunteers who show up. We just keep adding to it and I try to work around everybody’s schedule. Nights, weekends, whenever.”
This marks the fourth year in a row TargetSolutions and the VCOS teamed up to present the prestigious honor, which is designated each year for an individual who goes above and beyond to demonstrate innovation in firefighter training. Capt. Chip Everett of Oshtemo Township, MI, Fire Department, Asst. Chief Brad Pinsky of Manlius, NY, Fire Department and Deputy Chief Steve Malone of the Manhattan, IL, Fire Protection District won the award in previous years.
Accardo received roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations to attend Fire-Rescue International, which was held in Charlotte, NC, July 26-29. He also received a plaque commemorating the award.
For more information about VCOS, visit vcos.org.
Kidde Presents Second Annual 'Step Up and Stand Out' Contest
Kidde has launched the second annual Step Up and Stand Out contest. This friendly challenge is part of a larger national campaign designed to encourage and inspire volunteers to join the ranks of the 25,000+ volunteer and combination fire departments across the U.S.
Kidde, Allstate Insurance Company, Firehouse, the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) have joined together to honor the men and women who put their lives at risk to keep their communities. Fire departments can submit a nomination video at Facebook.com/StepUpandStandOut through Aug. 11.
Public voting will take place Aug. 28–Sept. 30 on a special Facebook page. Five finalists will be selected along with a grand prize winner; all winners will be announced the week of Oct. 8 in honor of Fire Prevention Week.
The five departments receiving the most public votes will be recognized at Firehouse Expo in Nashville and will receive prize packages:
- Kidde smoke alarms
- IAFC and VCOS Section membership
- 2 free admissions to Firehouse Expo
- NFPA Fire Prevention Week in a Box
The grand prize winner will also receive a $3,000 grant and full registration to the VCOS Symposium in the Sun.
Most of America’s 30,000 fire departments (87 percent) are either fully or partially staffed by volunteers, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. However, a shortage of volunteers, combined with the aging of the current volunteers and increased call volumes, raises serious questions over who will be protecting communities in the near- and long-term future.
Fire departments should visit Facebook.com/StepUpandStandOut for full contest rules and to submit their video. Follow #StepUpStandOut on social media for program updates.
Toyne Celebrates 75th Anniversary
Toyne is celebrating 75 years of manufacturing fire trucks by sharing customer success stories, offering social media giveaways, and holding an anniversary event that will be open to the public.
It all started in 1942 when blacksmith “Gib” Toyne was asked by the City of Schleswig, IA, to produce a fire truck that would be mounted on a Model A Ford chassis. In 1978, longtime employee Roger Schwabe purchased the growing apparatus manufacturer. Today, his sons, Mike and Bill Schwabe, run the company.
“We want to extend our most sincere appreciation to all of our customers,” said company president Mike Schwabe. “Thank you for trusting our team to engineer fire apparatus that aid you when you take the call. You are all part of our 75th anniversary and we hope that you join us in celebrating this milestone.”
From the first pumper that was delivered to Schleswig, IA, to the industry-recognized PRV slide-out-and-down pump panel, Toyne Tailored Apparatus continues to remain dedicated to the fire apparatus industry. Through its unique stall-built processes, the company works closely with each customer to ensure that every inch of the apparatus is built to their exact specifications.
“We are fortunate to have such a dedicated, experienced team,” Mike Schwabe said. “Each employee brings experience to what we do, and in turn, helps improve our processes and the apparatus we deliver.”
Breda, IA-based Toyne embarked on a company rebranding initiative in 2012 that consisted of a new logo, a new positioning statement (“Built to take the call”), a mobile-friendly website and a plethora of enhanced marketing and dealer network tools.
To learn more about Toyne and its 75th Anniversary, visit Toyne.com. Engage with the company on Facebook atFacebook.com/ToyneFireTrucks and Twitter at Twitter.com/ToyneFireTrucks.
This Month in Fire History
Aug. 4, 1949, Gates of the Mountain, MT—Forest fire kills 13 firefighters
Aug. 9, 1965, Searcy, AR—Titan II ICBM silo fire kills 53
Aug. 10, 1955, Andover, OH—Gateway Restaurant fire kills 22
Aug. 11, 1874—First Sprinkler head patented by H.S. Parmelee
Aug. 17, 1975, Philadelphia—Gulf Oil refinery fire causes $44 million in damages
Aug. 24, 1812, Washington, D.C.—Washington set afire by British troops during War of 1812
Aug. 25, 1974, Berkeley Springs, WV—Washington House Hotel fire kills 12
Aug. 28, 1923, Hull, MA—Conflagration destroys 44 buildings and kills 2
Aug. 31, 1968, Gary, IN—In Crowd lounge fire kills 13
—Courtesy of NFPA
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Firehouse Staff
Content written and created by Firehouse Magazine editors.