The 2019 Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) of the Year Award was presented to Muskegon, MI, Fire Department mechanic Brian Marek at the opening sessions of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Apparatus, Safety and Maintenance Conference in Scottsdale, AZ. The award recognizes outstanding efforts to promote a high standard of excellence in quality and safety in emergency vehicles.
Marek has 21 years’ experience with emergency service vehicles and believes in the importance of being a certified EVT technician. In fact, he has taken on the task of developing an EVT Association in the state of Michigan. Marek has a Master EVT Certification in Fire Apparatus, Master Ambulance Track Certification and the ARFF Vehicle Track Certification.
Janet Wilmoth, Special Projects Director for Firehouse, explained the history and criteria of the EVT Award, first introduced in 2003. She introduced Jeff Seal, OEM Account Manger for Spartan Motors, Inc. and sponsor of the EVT of the Year Award.
In presenting the award, Seal said, “This award embodies the technician that is dedicated to keeping fire personnel and the general public safe.” He added, “This year’s recipient has dedicated his 21-year career to providing the highest level of service excellence.”
On behalf of Bill Foster, vice president, Seal also presented Marek with a scholarship to Spartan Motors Fire Truck Training Conference, held Sept. 27-Oct. 2 in Lansing, MI.
Nominations for the 2020 EVT of the Year will open mid-October 2020.
Janet A. Wilmoth | Special Projects Director
Janet Wilmoth grew up in a family of firefighters in a suburb of Chicago. Wilmoth, who is owner of Wilmoth Associates, worked with Fire Chief magazine for 27 years until it closed in 2013. She currently is the project director for Firehouse, overseeing the Station Design Conference.
