FAMA Names 2017 Phillip L. Turner Scholarship Recipient
The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) awarded its 2017 Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship to Oklahoma State University student Brett Seggerman in recognition of his outstanding achievements and dedication to the protection of life-safety. Seggerman will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
Seggerman is an active member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, the Student Association of Fire Investigators (SAFI), and the Society of Fire Protections Engineers (SFPE). He also has served as the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology student council representative for both SAFI and SFPE, and was recently elected treasurer of the SFPE.
Seggerman plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in fire protection and safety engineering technology in May 2018 and looks forward to a career in fire protection engineering.
The Phillip L. Turner Scholarship is awarded annually by FAMA, and has been sponsored since 2009 by FAMA member Akron Brass Co.
"At Akron Brass, we believe that education and training are key factors to the success of individuals both professionally and personally," stated Kim Morrow, director of marketing. “Obtaining an education can be a challenge for young individuals, but with scholarships like these it makes goals become reality. Toward this end, Akron Brass is honored to sponsor the Philip L. Turner scholarship program.”
Lou Milanovich, FAMA education committee chair, added: “I am impressed by the outstanding and qualified candidates who applied. Brett’s application rose to the top because of his engagement and enthusiasm for the field of fire engineering. On behalf of FAMA, we wish Brett much success in his future endeavors.”
CFSI to Celebrate 30th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner
Registration is now open for the 30th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner, hosted by the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) on April 18–19, 2018, in Washington, DC. Attended by approximately 1,500 fire and emergency services leaders from across the country, the event is the largest and most prestigious gathering of fire service officials, featuring important seminars and opportunities for interaction with federal policymakers. The theme of this year’s program is “Engaging Future Leaders.”
“To maintain our strength and active presence in Washington, DC, we must encourage future leaders to step forward and learn how they can contribute their talents and expertise on federal issues,” said CFSI Executive Director Bill Webb. “As we celebrate the milestone of our 30th program, we encourage the current generation of leaders to invite individuals they see as potential future leaders of their organizations and departments to the event.”
Culminating the two-day event, the National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner will feature leaders of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus and the Administration who will pay their personal tributes to the men and women of the fire and emergency services. The program will also include four award presentations for individual and organizational leadership in advancing the readiness and response capabilities of our nation’s fire and emergency services.
Registration information can be found at cfsi.org.
IAFF Center of Excellence Receives Top Award
The first and only addiction center focusing on treating firefighters battling Post-Traumatic Stress and substance abuse has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Healthcare Accreditation for its continued commitment to providing safe and effective care to the firefighters it serves.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Center of Excellence (COE) is a joint project between the IAFF and Advanced Recovery Systems (ARS) to create and operate a full service residential treatment facility to combat substance abuse and the Post Traumatic Stress epidemic sweeping the fire service. From its 15-acre facility outside of Washington D.C., the IAFF Center of Excellence is a revolutionary facility designed to assist IAFF members who are struggling to cope with the stress and trauma that accumulates over the course of their career.
The center is part of a larger initiative by the IAFF to respond to behavioral health issues its members face. The IAFF has established a peer support program that engages members to reduce stigma, build resilience and provide support after critical events to help them process what has happened. IAFF Peer support teams were activated to assist firefighters for the recent Clark County/Las Vegas Active Shooter incident, as well as hurricanes Harvey and Irma. In all, over 4,000 peer contacts were initiated.
“We are tremendously proud of what we have built for our members, and the Behavioral Health Accreditation from the Joint Commission ensures more of members will have access to the Center of Excellence and can receive the quality care they need to begin their road to recovery,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “
For more information about the IAFF Center of Excellence, visit IAFFRecoveryCenter.com or call 855-385-4335 to coordinate an admission.
Line-of-Duty Deaths
6 U.S. firefighters recently died in the line of duty. Four deaths were health-related, and two involved motor vehicle accidents. This edition of Firehouse is dedicated to these firefighters.
PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER JASON KEITH HENSLEY, 40, of the Triple Community Fire Department in Morganton, NC, died on Oct. 9. Hensley responded to a call for service of a tree blocking the roadway. Just after midnight, a pickup truck traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 70 approached the scene and failed to stop. The vehicle first struck Hensley, who was wearing his reflective gear, killing him instantly, then crashed into the other vehicles at the scene. The driver of the vehicle has since been charged with driving while impaired, no operator’s license, reckless driving, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
FIRE CHIEF DONALD FRED MANGER, 54, of the Presho, SD, Fire Department, died on Oct. 14. Manger fell ill and passed away while on the scene of a working fire in an unoccupied structure. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be reported.
FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC STEVEN R. TERRY, 53, of Hernando, FL, Fire and Rescue, died on Oct. 16. Terry was found unresponsive by his fellow crewmembers, who initiated resuscitative measures. He was transported to Bayfront Brooksville Hospital where he passed away. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be determined and reported.
FIREFIGHTER/DRIVER GARRETT PAIZ, 38, of CAL FIRE, died on Oct. 16. Paiz was killed when the empty 1993 Kenworth water tender (tanker) he was operating, reportedly left the roadway on a curve and crashed through a guardrail down a ravine. Paiz, who died at the scene, was working on the Nuns Fire burning in the hills above Oakville and was heading for a water resupply when the crash occurred near the bottom of a steep, winding section of roadway. The cause of the fatal incident remains under investigation by authorities.
FIREFIGHTER RONALD W. HINKLE, 71, of the Loch Sheldrake, NY, Fire Department, died on Oct. 17. Hinkle had responded to a motor vehicle accident and was later found at his home unresponsive. Fellow firefighters and other first responders attempted to revive Hinkle, but all rescue efforts failed. Hinkle passed away from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be determined.
FIREFIGHTER EDWARD J. FRENENSKI, 31, of the Stanhope, NJ, Hose Company 1, died on Oct. 23. Frenenski was participating in vehicle extrication training during a fire department drill at the county fire training academy. While performing a practical evolution, he suffered an apparent seizure and was immediately treated by personnel on scene. He subsequently went into cardiac arrest while being transported to a local hospital, where he later passed away.
Firehouse Staff
Content written and created by Firehouse Magazine editors.
