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Bill is a Captain with the Clayton County Fire Department, located at 7810 Highway 85, Riverdale, GA 30274. His office telephone number is 770-473-7833.
Bill began his career as a firefighter in 1979, was promoted to lieutenant in 1992, and became an EMS shift supervisor in 1994. He has earned many honors, including the 1996-97 Rainbow House (non-profit childrens' shelter) Public Servant Award. He holds an A.A.S. in Fire Science with DeKalb College, a B.S. in Management with Shorter College, and an M.B.A. with Brenau University. Bill is currently pursuing his doctorate in human resource management at Nova Southeastern University.
Bill is the only YLD recipient to be awarded two scholarships, the first in 1997, and the second in 1998.
My personal philosophy of leadership is that all people are inherently good but crave recognition and challenge in their jobs. Officers have a duty to vary tasks and assignments because firefighters do not get in trouble when working, but rather when they are sitting around the fire station thinking about ways to fight boredom instead of fires. Personnel problems and morale problems can be minimized when officers invest in the subordinates education and career goals.
Mark is a Captain in the Training Division at the City of Stow Fire Department, located at 3800 Darrow Road, Stow, OH 44224. His telephone number at work is 330-688-9009 or 330-688-6535.
Mark moved from law enforcement to the fire service in 1983, serving as a Firemedic and Training Officer for the City of Stow Fire Department, and as an adjunct faculty instructor for the Ohio Fire Academy. Mark told us that becoming a fire service instructor has been his most substantial professional achievement because it provides him with the vehicle to positively influence people's lives through training and education. At the time of his award, Mark had earned his AA in Fire Science Technology with Stark Technical College and was completing his BA in Management at Malone College.
My leadership philosophy can be summarized by the following: Be fair and honest with all people, do the very best at all times and in all ways, and treat people as you would want to be treated.
Joe is a Fire Captain with the Philadelphia Fire Department, located at 240 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123-2991. His office telephone number is 215-686-1381.
Joe entered the Philadelphia Fire Department as a fire fighter in 1973. When newly promoted to captain in 1992, he implemented Operation: Save a Child in his district. This cooperative effort between the fire department and the local schools placed smoke detectors in the homes of school children who needed them. This program enabled him to use the managerial and leadership skills he had worked hard to develop. Joe was completing his masters degree at St. Joseph's University at the time of his YLD award.
I believe that leadership is motivation. To effectively motivate is to serve as a role model for subordinates, and more importantly, to be used as a role model by peers and superiors. A role model must possess personal qualities, technical ability, and motivation of the highest levels. He always aspires to the next level in training, education, or position.
Russell is a Driver Operator with the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, located at 50 South Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415.
Russell developed Palm Beach County's first Puppet Theater, used by the department's Public Education Department to educate children and adults about the dangers of fire and the importance of fire safety. Russell holds two AS degrees and at the time of his award was completing his BA in Fire Safety Engineering Technology at the University of Cincinnati.
My philosophy of leadership is TEAMWORK. I believe that all fellow employees, administration and labor have ideas to offer. Leadership is a skill which can be learned. Effective management and leadership can be accomplished through education and guidance of fellow employees.
Vincent is a Fire Lieutenant with the Philadelphia Fire Department, located at 4000 N. Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140. His office telephone number is 215-685-9196.
Vince believes that it was a combination of formal education, self instruction and true interest in the fire service that helped him achieve his promotion to Fire Lieutenant, ranking 12 in a field of 480 applicants, after only 3 1/2 years with the Philadelphia Fire Department. Vince holds an AAS in Fire Science with the Community College of Philadelphia, and at the time of his award was completing his bachelor's degree in Fire Science and Public Safety Administration with Holy Family College.
My basic philosophy of leadership is to use a form of contingency leadership that matches a style with the problem or situation at hand. With the employee being the most valuable resource that an employer has, it would be self defeating not to look for input from seasoned veterans or fresh ideas from the newer members.
David is the Director of Public Safety with the Bedford County Department of Public Safety, located at 122 E. Main Street, Suite 202, Bedford, VA 24523. His office telephone number is 540-586-7601.
David began his career as a firefighter/paramedic with the Prince William County (VA) Fire and Rescue in 1987. After several years with the Wilmington (DE) Fire Department, Bill became the Public Safety Director of Dinwiddie County, VA, and is currently the Public Safety Director of Bedford County, VA, where he serves as Fire Marshal, Emergency Services Coordinator, and Hazardous Materials Coordinator, among other duties. He holds a Fire Protection Engineering degree at Delaware Technical and Community College and a degree in Animal Science with the University of Delaware. At the time of his award, David was completing his BS in Fire Science at the University of Maryland University College.
My personal philosophy of leadership is that anyone who is placed in a leadership role carries a great responsibility to the "followers." Those that lead must ensure the safety and well being of their subordinates. Being granted the leadership role is a privilege, not a right. I consider my career position an honor to serve the citizens and the many volunteers that staff our individual agencies. I am continuously striving to improve myself as a person and as a professional. Only by attending current training can I maintain a current level of competency in today's emergency services field. Today's leaders require today's technology and expertise.
Cynthia is a full-time student at Roanoke College, VA, and a volunteer with the Spring Lake First Aid and Emergency Squad in Salem, VA. Her telephone number at school is 540-375-6079.
As Dean's List honor student in Manasquan High School, Cynthia served in her school's student government, Key Club, and Health Careers Club, and was a member of the soccer team and field hockey team. In her senior year she served as the school's yearbook editor, and served as a student athletic trainer. She is the recipient of the Manaquan River Yacht Club Sportsmanship Award for 1994 and has earned many titles in national sailing competition.
At 16, the minimum age allowed for cadet status, Cynthia joined the Spring Lake First Aid and Emergency Squad, responding to more than 200 calls a year, from medical emergencies to motor vehicle accidents, and earning her EMT-B and EMT-D certifications. Cynthia is also a member of the Spring Lake Drug and Alcohol Alliance and volunteers at her church.
I don't view a leadership position as just being the person at the top, but rather having the wisdom to use one's knowledge to set a good example for others to follow. The skills I have acquired on my squad will enable me to teach by example and encourage other younger members to learn what they too may accomplish. I think this will help to attract other younger members to our squad, all of which is necessary if we are to be able to continue to meet the growing needs of our community.
Gary is a Battalion Chief with the Westminster Fire Department, located at 4800 W. 92nd Ave., Westminster, CO 80030. His telephone number at work is 303-430-2400, ext 2454.
Among his notable contributions to the City of Westminster Fire Department, Gary developed the Departmental Standard Operating Procedures, which include SOPs, Rules and Regulations, medical protocols and an employee appraisal guide. At the time of his award, Gary had earned two associate degrees in fire science with the Community College of Denver, and was completing his bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Regis College.
I prefer a participatory style of management. In this organization a manager that cannot delegate quickly becomes overwhelmed. The involvement of as many of the personnel at all levels in the organization is imperative. Not only does this spread the work load, it enhances the morale of the organization.
Don entered the East Fork Fire and Paramedic District as a Paramedic in 1980, and rose rapidly through the ranks to Deputy Chief, a position that places him in charge of overall management of the paramedic program that he was instrumental in developing from its inception, and its $2.4 million budget. Don holds an AA in Fire Science with Western Nevada Community College and a BS in Fire Administration with Cogswell College, CA.
Most importantly, I lead by example. My philosophy is to always have an open door and an open mind. My style when working on a project is to make it a team effort.
Robert is the Senior Fire Investigator with Donald B. Cypher and Associates, located at PO Box 236, Saxonburg, PA 16056. His telephone number at work is 724-352-4101.
Robert began his career in 1968 as a member of the United States Navy, where he served as Assistant Crash Captain. In 1972 he joined the Butler City (PA) Fire Department and advanced through the ranks, earning professional recognition in arson investigation and fire prevention. As one of the first two YLD scholarship recipients, it was Robert's goal to complete his bachelor's degree in fire protection technology.
A leader, to me, is a tireless, take charge individual who strives for educational goals and then shares his or her experience with the newest member to the most senior members in such a way as to make every one a part of the total operational goal of the department.
Kevin served as a volunteer firefighter and officer before joining the Snohomish County Fire District in 1984. From 1988 to the time of his award, he held the rank of Lieutenant and Acting Battalion Chief at King County Fire District. In addition, Kevin was Union President. Kevin feels his greatest achievements have been in the realm of training, serving as lead instructor in the volunteer recruit classes and contributing to curriculum development. Kevin holds two associate degrees from Edmonds Community College, one in Business and the other in Fire Command. At the time of his award he was completing his bachelor's degree in Fire Command Administration with City University.
My personal philosophy of leadership involves creating an environment where the employee can excel. Although most emergency scenes require a military style of management, the rest of the job does not normally entail this. I believe that the employee who is able to participate in decision making and to manage entire "sections" of his or her job is happiest. I assign employees tasks, such as prefire inspection management, direction of pub-ed programs, and so on. I am available to assist as a resource, but they are given the freedom to "run with the ball."
George holds the position of Emergency Communications Dispatcher I with Frederick County Public Safety, located on Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702. His telephone number at work is 301-694-1603.
At the time of his award, George was a volunteer firefighter and EMT-A with the Frederick County Volunteer and Rescue Association, where he served as company Director, Secretary and Lieutenant, and participated on numerous committees. Among his professional achievements is the James H. Stavely III Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to fire prevention in Frederick County, MD. In 1993 he initiated the idea and helped to construct a fire prevention house, where children could hear a smoke detector activate and practice Operation EDITH. George holds a BA in Economics, a BS in Fire Science, both from the University of Maryland, and an MBA from Mount St. Mary's College.
My philosophy of leadership is that true exercise of authority entails caring for others' needs. Leaders must work with and for their staff, encouraging them to be the best they can be. This is accomplished in part when leaders work their way to the top from the bottom. Experience allows leaders to understand the position of the people working for them. Leadership is also enhanced by education.
Learn about other YLD Scholarship Award Recipients!
If you have any questions about the application process or award criteria, please contact Mike Hildebrand at yld@chesapeake.net