Prestigious Awards Given to Four Well Deserving Members and New Board Takes the Oath

On Thursday September 15, 2011 the Michigan Fire Inspector Society honored four deserving members with the highest awards in the State.  Michigan Fire Inspector Society president Kevin Abbassee presented the awards at the Societies annual banquet and dinner as part of the 62nd annual educational seminar.

John Hagar, Fire Marshal with the Taylor Fire Department was presented with the Fire Inspector of the Year award.  Fire Marshal Hager has demonstrated the power of consistent fire inspection and diligent fire investigation skills with his department.  Fire Marshal Hager has also aided the society with his efforts in the 2010 Calendar project as well as involvement with other boards in the State of Michigan.

Second grade teacher Jodi Scott received the first Teacher of the Year award from the

Michigan Fire Inspector Society on Thursday, September 15. Mrs. Scott was recognized for her dedication and partnership with the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department, and the Grand Traverse Risk Watch Coalition, which works to provide a comprehensive unintentional injury prevention program for elementary age students. Mrs. Scott has helped to create a model for the program that has been used to launch additional Risk Watch Programs in her local community and throughout the State of Michigan. During the 2010/2011 school year, one of Mrs. Scott’s students was successful in applying her Risk Watch knowledge as she helped save her friend from choking after receiving a lesson on Choking,Suffocation, and Strangulation Prevention through the American Red Cross.

Jodi Scott teaches at the Blair Elementary School within the Traverse City Area Public Schools, where she has been teaching for 21 years

Board Member Ted Jensen was honored as the Larry Zimmerman, Public Educator of the year for 2011.  Inspector Jensen works for the Grand Rapids fire department and serves as the third year trustee of the MFIS board.

Inspector Jensen has been the chair of the public education committee of the MFIS and has worked to involve the membership in providing resources on public education.  In addition to his activities with MFIS Ted has provided multiple award winning programs for the City of Grand Rapids including multiple spots on local TV channels, bill boards, and other critical relationships with the public of Grand Rapids.

Long Time member and past president of the Michigan Fire Inspector Society Marty Myers received the president’s award.  Marty was awarded for his efforts in the coordination and leading Michigan’s NFPA training series as well as his continued, long time support of the MFIS.  Marty’s efforts include providing mentorship and development of new inspectors as well as leading the Fire Service of Michigan with their efforts at the CFSI hosted in Washington DC.  Marty retired a couple years ago from the Department of Public Safety with the City of Kalamazoo and has maintained his high involvement with the society.

Following the awards, the society welcomed in the new president (Brian Batten) and new board member Michael Bernardin, Fire Marshal with Hartland Deerfield Fire Authority as the 4th year trustee.

Leland Gayheart Fire Safety and Prevention Award to the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society

The 2010 Calendar Project has been received an award from the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center.  The Leland Gayheart Fire Safety Prevention Award was recently presented to Fire Marshal / Board Member John Hager from Karla Klas of the University of Michigan.

The award is presented each year to recognize the work of Michigan firefighters and Leland Gayheart, a 23-year-old firefighter who lost his life after a burn injury in 1991.

The award was created to encourage prevention programs by local fire departments. Included is an honorarium, which is awarded annually to the fire department whose innovative efforts have demonstrated a statewide, countywide or citywide impact on prevention and fire safety.

There have been 21,000 calendars distributed to fire departments throughout Michigan and given away. Hager said the $500 cash prize that is part of the award will be used to print more calendars.

Beginning in 2007 the MFIS honored Cary Thompson with the first ever public educator of the year. The award has been developed in honor of Fire Marshal Larry Zimmerman. Larry served as fire inspector and fire marshal with the City of Royal Oak. Larry was diagnosed with amyloidosis and lost his life to the terrible disease.

Known to the children of the area as Firemen Larry his efforts in public education changed many children and prevented hundreds of accidental fires or injuries. This award is given in honor of “Firemen Larry’s” service and commitment to the fire prevention.

Criteria:

The award shall be given to a person who has demonstrated continued efforts in public fire education and prevention. The MFIS executive board will consider all applications and select an appropriate nominee. This award may be given annually during the September conference. The following items should be considered in the application:

• Education should continue over several years of service to the community.
• Programs should promote fire safety, wellness, or preparedness.
• The overall education should provide span multiple age groups including children, teens, adults, and seniors.
• Utilize unconventional means in delivering key information.
• Develop programs that can be provided by department or organizational members.

We are honored to give this award to the deserving professional. If you feel that a member of your organization or department is deserving of the Firemen Larry Public Educator award submit the attached application to any executive board member by August 1, 2011. Send us an email or feel free to contact Michael O’Brian at mobrian@brightonareafire.com.

2010 Recipient Meredith Hawes

2010 Recipient

Public educator with the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department is the recipient of the award.  Mrs. Hawes has lead the community in many groups which has gained more support of the years.  She demonstrated the efforts of the award and shown ingenuity in her approaches to fire safety.  Meredith has also been recognized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)  for her efforts.

2009 Fire Inspector Vlahos

2009 Recipient, Peter Vlahos

Bloomfield Township Fire Department.  Fire Inspector Vlahos has served the Bloomfield Township Community and had great success over the past 4 years with educating the public on the dangers of fire.  The various programs were highlighted through a 2nd grade program which teaches school children on dangers of fire and how to be safety conscious.

2008 Recipient Tom Kiurski

Livonia Fire Rescue.  Tom is know for his public education programs which include a safety

day at the Laurel Park Place Mall, organizing the efforts of the department’s open house, and for his continued efforts in training the future educators at Schoolcraft College and Oakland Community College

2007 Recipent Cary Thompson

Royal Oak Fire Department has show tremendous dedication over the years for his efforts in public education.  After being mentored by Larry Zimmerman, he has help lead the education efforts in the City of Royal Oak.  This includes a new project in conjunction with Beaumont Hospital titled “Safety Town”.