The National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) National Junior Firefighter Program has announced the winners of its annual awards. A special banquet to honor the recipients of the Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award, and other NVFC award winners will take place during the NVFC’s spring meeting on April 28, 2012, in Alexandria, VA.
“We are once again greatly impressed with the quality and caliber of nominations that we received for the NVFC’s annual awards,” said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “The recipients that were chosen truly exemplify outstanding service and commitment to the fire service. We thank you for all you do to strengthen the emergency services and protect your communities.”
Award recipients receive a trip to Alexandria to attend the award ceremony, a personalized award, and complimentary one-year membership in the NVFC, among other items. The Junior Firefighter of the Year also receives a trip to a Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge.
Learn more about all of the NVFC’s awards at www.nvfc.org/about-us/awards/. Stay tuned to the National Junior Firefighter Program web site and Junior Firefighter E-news for additional information about each award winner as well as photos from the awards banquet.
The recipients of the 2012 awards are:
Cherryville Fire Department NVFC Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award sponsored by Tyco International
The Cherryville (NC) Fire Department junior firefighter program was established in 1983. Approximately 90 percent of their junior firefighters continue in the fire service after high school. The Cherryville junior firefighters follow a yearly training schedule that focuses on safe, effective training through hands-on drills and classroom training. In 2011 alone, the 12 junior firefighters completed over 1,200 hours of scheduled training. Each October, the Cherryville junior firefighters play a crucial role in providing a fire prevention day for the approximately 3,500 students in the Cherryville area schools. During the event, they help with logistics as well as educate their peers about fire safety and prevention. Other community organizations, such as the town’s Little League, rely on the juniors’ assistance with running their programs. They are taught that their role as a firefighter doesn’t end with fighting fires, but also involves helping and serving their community in any way possible.
Katherine Brierley NVFC Junior Firefighter of the Year Award sponsored by Tyco International
Katherine (Kassie) Brierley has been a junior firefighter for over four years. She received state certification as an emergency medical responder at the age of 14 and recently became certified as an EMT. Brierley has participated in fundraising events such as a Penguin Plunge and Fill-the-Boot, as well as provided fire prevention outreach in her community. At the Connecticut Fire Academy, she has established water supply, led teams in tower ladder operations, and worn SCBA while training to fight fires. She is also a certified boat operator and has training in fighting wildfires. She serves as an active mentor to more than 20 new junior firefighters. Brierley is also a member of her school’s soccer team and is an honor roll student. She plans to study pre-medicine at college and become a pediatric doctor.
Award Sponsors
About the National Volunteer Fire Council The NVFC is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.
About Tyco International Tyco International is a diversified, global company that provides vital products and services to customers in more than 60 countries and has more than 100,000 employees worldwide. Tyco is a leading provider of electronic security products and services, fire protection and detection products and services, and valves and controls. For more information, visit www.tyco.com.
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