SAN DIEGO, CA – July 26, 2023 – Vector Solutions, the leading provider of technology for training, preparing, and retaining first responders, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs' (IAFC) Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS), announced today Captain Shane Metcalfe of Irondequoit (NY) Fire District as the winner of the 2023 VCOS Training Officer Award.
"This is an incredible honor, to be recognized as Training Officer of the Year," said Capt. Metcalfe. "The last four years that I have spent as the Training Officer for my department have been the highlight of my career and the most impactful of my 20 years of service. I will forever be grateful for the indelible mark training and education have left on my life. It has only been possible by the vast network of friends, family, and peers who have helped me on this journey. My greatest success as the Training Officer has been watching my fellow instructors and firefighters grow to their potential and beyond."
This year marks the 10th year in a row in which the IAFC's VCOS and Vector Solutions have teamed up to present this prestigious honor recognizing a training officer for going above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Metcalfe was nominated for the award by Irondequoit’s Chief Steven Sessler due to his dedication and innovation in providing the crew with exceptional training. The combination agency recently consolidated two departments into one, which required merging personnel with different competencies and regimens into a cohesive unit.
"The VCOS is proud to join with Vector Solutions in selecting Captain Shane Metcalfe as the 2023 Training Officer of the Year," said Deputy Chief Chuck Flynn of East Granby (CT) Fire Department, who serves as the chair on the board of directors for the VCOS. "Capt. Metcalfe demonstrates passion and commitment preparing volunteers and career members for the many public safety services his department provides. He has full responsibility for his department's progressive training program and had the lead training role for a recent consolidation of two fire departments. I thank Vector Solutions for continuing to sponsor this elite award program."
Captain Metcalfe earns high marks by challenging his crew with new props and maze configurations while leading task-oriented physical training. He pursues grants and constantly seeks local training opportunities like vacant structures. During the pandemic, he fought to upgrade the agency's online training management program with Vector Solutions, which has made a difference.
"He moved all of our training and record keeping to (Vector Solutions) and tracks almost everything digitally with very little paper," Chief Sessler said. "While we had limited contact to the firehouse during the pandemic, (Capt. Metcalfe) focused on web-based training such as videos, Vector Solutions courses, and even personally led video conference training."
Above all else, Capt. Metcalfe leads by example, according to Chief Sessler.
"His positive attitude and focus on training with intensity has elevated the abilities of each individual and has collectively raised the bar for the department as a whole," Chief Sessler said. "The No. 1 thing he's been able to do is challenge everyone to be better than they were yesterday."
The 2023 VCOS Training Officer Award will be presented to Capt. Metcalfe at the VCOS Annual Board Meeting at Fire-Rescue International (FRI) in Kansas City on Aug. 17.
Here are the previous winners since Vector Solutions became the sponsor of this annual award:
2022: John V. White, Apex (NC) Fire Department
2021: James Hedrick, Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue Department
2020: Karl Neubecker, Ellington (CT) Fire Department
2019: Lee Whitner, South Adams County (CO) Fire Department
2018: Joshua Blum, Loveland-Symmes (OH) Fire Department
2017: Michael Accardo III, St. Tammany (LA) Fire District 9
2016: Steve Malone, Manhattan (IL) Fire Protection District
2015: Bradley Pinsky, Manlius (NY) Fire Department
2014: Capt. Chip Everett, Oshtemo (MI) Fire and Rescue
About the IAFC’s Volunteer Combination Officers Section
VCOS provides chiefs and chief officers who manage volunteers within a volunteer or combination fire, rescue or EMS delivery system with information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism. The IAFC's VCOS mission is to provide chiefs and chief officers who manage volunteers within a volunteer or combination fire, rescue or EMS delivery system with information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism. The VCOS vision is to represent the interests of all volunteer and combination fire/rescue/EMS agencies. We are a dynamic organization, characterized by our integrity, customer focus and membership development, with value placed on people and the superior utilization of technology. We excel by creating educational programs through unrivaled networking and by helping VCOS members further their success and reach their potential. For more information, visit IAFC.org/VCOS.
About Vector Solutions for Fire & EMS
Vector Solutions for Fire & EMS is the industry leader in training and workforce management technology that enables Fire and Rescue Departments to meet their demanding training, compliance, and preparedness objectives. The Vector Solutions public safety suite of products includes software for training management, policy distribution, personnel scheduling, critical incident and exposure tracking, and promoting a positive department culture. Its online course library includes more than 450 hours of fire department training with 250+ hours of CAPCE-approved EMS recertification courses. Trusted by 10,000 public safety agencies and 2 million first responders, Vector’s purpose-built technology streamlines the full lifecycle of personnel management because readiness saves lives. For more information about Vector Solutions for Fire & EMS, visit https://www.vectorsolutions.com/industries/public-safety/.
About Vector Solutions
Vector Solutions is the leading provider of impactful technology solutions dedicated to driving safer, smarter, better decision-making in the world's most critical industries. Embedded into daily workflows to drive improvements in compliance, safety, performance, and preparedness, our software includes training management, industry-focused online course libraries, EHS management, workforce scheduling, risk communication, operational readiness, and more. Vector's unique combination of information and technology - delivered when and where it is needed - is integral to our more than 34 thousand clients looking to achieve better outcomes and safeguard lives. Vector is committed to providing resources to support those who need them most and launched a collection of free courses on critical mental health and safety topics through Vector Cares. For more information, visit www.vectorsolutions.com. For access to free Vector Cares courses visit https://www.vectorsolutions.com/about-us/vector-cares/
