NVFC announces 2011 award winners

March 17, 2011 - PRLog -- "We are very pleased to honor the 2011 NVFC award recipients and recognize the amazing contributions they have made to the emergency services," said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. "Outstanding departments and individuals from across the country were nominated for these four awards, and 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."

Recipients of the NVFC's four national awards receive a trip to Alexandria to attend the award ceremony, a personalized award, and complimentary one-year membership in the NVFC, among other items. In addition, members of the Junior Firefighter Program of the Year will spend a day on Capitol Hill meeting their Congressional representatives.

Learn more about the NVFC's awards program at www.nvfc.org/awards. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site and e-newsletters in April for additional information about each award winner as well as photos from the awards banquet.

The recipients of the NVFC's 2011 awards are as follows:

Chief Glenn Jernigan
NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award
Award sponsored by Scott Health and Safety
Chief Glenn Jernigan has served in many capacities during his 51 years in the fire service, including firefighter, EMT, chief officer, and board member, and is a past-president of the North Carolina State Firemen's Association (NCSFA). Jernigan retired as Chief of Faison (NC) Fire and Rescue in 2006 after 36 years, and continues to serve the department as Safety Officer. He is a strong advocate for firefighter training and was instrumental in promoting and growing the North Carolina Fire College, resulting in thousands of volunteer firefighters receiving training through the College. He also played a key role in helping to promote and grow the NCSFA scholarship program, which helps children of firefighters achieve their educational goals. Jernigan, who retired as Sheriff of Duplin County in 2002, is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award, which is the highest honor presented by the state of North Carolina.

Kenneth Pagels
NVFC Fire Prevention Award
Award sponsored by First Alert
Kenneth Pagels has been an active firefighter at the Akron (NY) Volunteer Fire Company for 40 years and has been teaching fire prevention for almost as long. His fire prevention program includes teaching local grade school and nursery-age children how to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency, what a firefighter looks like in full gear, how to stay low and get out of a home when there is fire or smoke, and cooking safety. In 1994, Pagels worked with a local trade school to build a trailer to use for fire safety exercises. His work has inspired numerous individuals to volunteer at the department as a firefighter or EMT. There has not been a fire fatality in his district since he began the fire prevention program almost four decades ago.

Lake Carmel Fire Department
NVFC Junior Firefighter Program of the Year
Award sponsored by Tyco International
The Lake Carmel (NY) Fire Department Explorer Post #2041 was established in 1979. Since then, over 50 former Explorers have joined their local fire department after graduation. The Explorer Post works side by side with the fire department, assisting at drills, fundraisers, and community events. Explorers frequently teach fire prevention at local schools. For the last 10 years the Lake Carmel Explorer Post has hosted a training and competition weekend. The weekend was started in 2002 in honor of junior firefighters across the country who were killed responding to calls. Since its inception, the Post has been invited to other events that have been modeled after the Lake Carmel weekend. They have also worked with other departments hoping to establish youth programs.

Brendan Finley-Davis
NVFC Junior Firefighter of the Year
Award sponsored by Tyco International
Brendan Finley-Davis has been a junior firefighter with the Hackberry Township (KS) Volunteer Fire Department for over six years. Finley-Davis is consistently one of the first on the scene in an emergency call and the last to leave, making sure all clean-up is done and equipment is ready for the next use before he heads home. Thanks to his teaching and leadership skills, Finley-Davis is in charge of educating new junior firefighter program recruits about the responsibilities of being a junior firefighter. In addition, he teaches Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH) fire safety lessons to kindergarten through 3rd grade students at the local elementary schools. Finley-Davis is also a 1st Lieutenant Cadet Member of the Kansas Civil Air Patrol and is a member of the National Honor Society, track and cross country teams, and Future Farmers of America.

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