Every industry has individuals who receive little recognition or praise for keeping things going smoothly. We wait anxiously for the power-company employees to arrive when the lights go out, but don’t think about them when the lights work at night; garbage day comes and goes without a thought about the trash collectors who take it away; and residents rarely think about fire and police departments until they need them. But wheels that don’t turn — literally or figuratively — can be a big problem. Think back to the last time you sat in an airport or on the tarmac waiting for maintenance: Mr. Fix-it, in his yellow vest and coveralls, determined if you flew or not. FIRE CHIEF created the Emergency Vehicle Technician of the Year Award to raise awareness of the guys in the emergency apparatus shops who keep the wheels turning — to get them out from under the hood or beneath the truck and put them in the spotlight. This year’s award, sponsored by C.E. Niehoff, goes to Mark Kemper of Sedgwick County (Kan.) Fleet Management. Kemper was the catalyst to form the Heartland Emergency Apparatus Technicians Association for EVTs. HEATA now offers two training and testing opportunities annually, for around 50 technicians at each. Boyd R. Powers, shop foreman for Sedgwick County and president of HEATA, nominated Kemper for his work to establish a program to remount the department’s 21 ambulance bodies on to new chassis for a second life cycle. When the project is complete, it will have saved the taxpayers in Sedgwick County an estimated $1,080,000 by reusing ambulance bodies rather than buying new. While we can only give the honor to one person each year, the seven other 2010 nominees deserve recognition. Art Amidei, Wilmette (Ill.) Fire Department: “Ask anyone who knows him, and they will speak highly of his knowledge, dedication, professionalism and hard work,” wrote Morris Anderson of Wheaton (Ill.) Fleet Maintenance. Hank Henninger, Ruscon Truck Service, Congers, N.Y.: “Our lives depend on [Hank’s] superior craftsmanship, as do the people we serve and protect,” wrote Capt. Harry Stone of the Fairview Fire Department, White Plains, N.Y. Craig McDonald, Comstock Township (Mich.) Fire & Rescue: “Craig understands the importance of emergency vehicle maintenance and his quick response to our calls for service play a major role in my department using him,” wrote Chief Walter Culver. Brian Martin, North Alabama Emergency Vehicle Maintenance, Hanceville, Ala.: “[Brian] is also Master ARFF certified, Hy-rail certified and is on the EVT commission board,” wrote his daughter, Tina. “You cannot find a better mechanic than my dad — I promise you.” Cory Meeres, Victoria (B.C.) Fire Department: “Cory introduced the EVT program to the Victoria Fire Department … and the department now serves as a ‘testing’ location to allow members seeking certification to write examinations,” wrote Deputy Chief Paul Bruce. Tom Myers, Lawton (Okla.) Fire Department: “Tom has built a pump demonstration trailer. … He has taken this state wide and it offers students a hands-on approach of the inner workings of the pump,” write Training Officer Jared Williams. “Tom has done this out of his own pocket.” Chris Stuhm, Westlake (Ohio) Fire Department: “Chris has kept our fleet of fire apparatus and ambulances in top performing shape and has consistently gone the extra yard to keep us up and running,” wrote Chief Dale Kraus. Congratulations to Kemper and thank you to him and the other nominees for their dedication and commitment to keeping fire and emergency apparatus in service.
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Song for the Unsung Heroes
