Fairfax, Va. — Fourteen volunteers were recognized for their “demonstrated extraordinary commitment” to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department during a presentation at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 12, 2013. The individuals are winners of the County’s 2012 Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Awards.
“The 2012 award recipients each donated hundreds of hours to serve Fairfax County while also balancing personal and career commitments,” said Fairfax County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association President Jonathan Wood.
2012 Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Award winners. (Photo: John Luck)
“Whether they responded to a fire, provided emergency medical services, attended training, or supported fire department administrative operations, these volunteers served with utmost professionalism and tireless commitment. They represent the best of the best,” Wood said.
There are more than 700 active volunteers in the County’s combined career-volunteer fire system. Volunteers logged more than 217,000 hours in 2012. Operational volunteers are trained to the same professional certification levels as their career counterparts and often respond to emergency calls together.
Each volunteer company nominates its candidates for annual awards. The Fairfax County Volunteer Fire Commission, which advises the Board of Supervisors on volunteer matters and represents the 12 volunteer fire and rescue companies, selects the winners. The 2012 recipients are:
Volunteer Firefighter
Justin Miller, Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department
Volunteer Operational Officer
K. Blake Payne, Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department
Volunteer Basic Life Support Provider
Elliot Zaret, Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department
Volunteer Emergency Medical Services Provider
Kayla Thompson, Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department
Volunteer Advanced Life Support Provider
Jaime Keith, Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department
Volunteer Rookie
Benjamin Sisson, Centreville Volunteer Fire Department
Administrative Member
Richard Morani, Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department
Administrative Officer
Anna Marie Johnson, Franconia Volunteer Fire Department
Canteen Member
Ricardo Machado, Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department
Special Recognition
Rev. Grant McIntosh, Lorton Volunteer Fire Department
Team Performance
Camilla Morrison, Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department
Alan Woolf, Centreville Volunteer Fire Department
Sean Malone, McLean Volunteer Fire Department
Gary Gaal, Franconia Volunteer Fire Department
The Fairfax County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association is a partnership of 12 volunteer fire and rescue departments in Fairfax County, Va. Learn more about the Association at www.fcvfra.org. (2/12/2013)