Firehouse has announce the top five winners of the 2019 Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding efforts to promote a high standard of excellence in quality and safety in emergency vehicles.
In first place is Brian Marek, fire mechanic for the Muskegon, MI, Fire Department. Marek has 21 years’ experience with emergency service vehicles and understands the importance of being a certified EVT. He has taken on the task of developing an EVT association in the state of Michigan. Marek is a Master EVT Technician in Fire Apparatus, Ambulance and the ARFF Vehicle tracks.
The letter nominating Marek stated, “Brian has been the leader and mentor to many techs from the state of Michigan who are seeking information on how to become a certified EVT tech...His dedication to the fire repair industry is a shining example of what EVT is all about, dedication to the education and safety of fire apparatus.”
Mike Shuster, fleet manager for West Pierce Fire & Rescue in University Place, WA, received the second place honor.
Shuster was recognized as a “key and integral part” of West Pierce’s preventative care, scheduled maintenance, emergency repair, and workplace scheduling of fleet maintenance program. After years of training and classroom instruction, Shuster earned his Master Level EVT in Tech Ambulance and Management 1 & 2, as well as Advanced Level Special Services.
The third place award goes to Eldon D. Johnson, senior lead EVT Emergency equipment mechanic for the City of Vancouver, WA, Emergency Equipment Services Fire Shop/Public Works. He has worked with the city for 27 years and was recognized for mentoring and teaching other EVTs in several areas of areas of expertise including mechanical, electrical and hydraulics. Johnson is EVT certified as Master Level 3.
Fourth place is Dave Meagher, fleet maintenance officer for Jackson Hole, WY, Fire/EMS and is the sole technician for the department’s 45 vehicles. Meagher has a long list of EVT certifications and is well-known for his belief fire trucks often fail due to poor tire maintenance. Consequently, he instituted “Tire Tuesdays” where crews pay special attention to tire pressure, sidewalls inspection and tire wear patterns.
Thomas Bruno, fleet mechanic, Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue District in Indian Rocks Beach, FL received the fifth place honor. As the district's only mechanic, Bruno is on-call 24/7 days and frequently contacted after hours for the myriad of issues which arise on the department’s fire apparatus, boat, or staff vehicles and is always willing to resolve any challenge thrown his way. Also cited were Bruno’s network of connections, outside the organization, are invaluable to serving the public. “To say Tom keeps our fire department running is a very literal statement. In addition to his mechanical skills and abilities, he is a great teacher,” his nomination read.
The 2019 EVT of the Year Award is sponsored by Spartan and co-presented by Firehouse and the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA). Brian Marek will be honored at the FDSOA’s Apparatus, Safety and Maintenance Conference, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in Scottsdale, AZ.
