Each year, the best and the brightest leaders in the fire service are recognized at Fire-Rescue International for their exceptional contributions to their departments and those they serve. This year, the IAFC presented three well-deserving honorees with the Fire Chief of the Year award, for both career and volunteer departments, as well as the Ben Franklin award.
The Career Fire Chief of the Year Award, sponsored by Pierce Manufacturing, went to Chief Kelvin Cochran of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. Chief Cochran has been a member of the fire service for 31 years, and perhaps most notably was appointed by President Obama to be the United States Fire Administrator.
In his current position in Atlanta, Chief Cochran is noted for being an inspiration to his 980 department members, providing support and encouragement, as well as a firm belief that education breeds confidence, and confidence dismisses fear.
Outside of his department, he gives back to the community in many ways, such as by supporting local groups including the Boy Scouts and the Salvation Army.
The Voluneer Fire Chief of the Year Award, also sponsored by Pierce Manufacturing, went to Jona Olsson of the Latir Volunteer Fire Department in Questa, N.M. Chief Olsson’s career began in 1999, and at age 65, she is an inspiration to all. In addition to dedicating the past 25-plus years to social justice and training workshops for non-profits and communities, she is also still able to pass her pack test and continues to renew her red card.
Chief Olsson is also recognized for the legacy that she will one day leave behind, which stems from the belief that everyone should feel included. She oversees a very diverse department that, even in tough economic times, she was able to expand and train properly. Of the 18 firefighters on the Latir department, all are now structure trained, 13 are qualified with wildland Red Cards, and nine have EMS licenses.
The recipients of the Ben Franklin Award (sponsored by Motorola) are most likely very lucky to be alive. On February 23, they responded to a domestic violence call that involved a battered wife/mother frantic and hysterical outside the home, while her deranged husband was inside the home with their two young children–he had locked the two children in an upstairs bedroom and set fire to the house.
With the husband still somewhere inside the house, Crew 63 from the North Metro (Colo.) Fire Protection District, entered the home and found accelerants next to a gas barbecue grill. They pushed their way upstairs through the smoke and flame to eventually pull one 18-month-old child and one 5-year-old, unconscious and badly burned, child from the home. They also pulled out the husband, who was unconscious in a bedroom, lighter in hand. All survived.
Crew 63 includes Battalion Chief Timothy Hanlon, Lt. John Maes, Engineer Jos Dueto, and firefighters Josh Hamilton and Mark Maxwell. Their chief, Joseph Bruce, was also on hand to receive the prestigious award.
