VCOS

2009 Recipient: Chief Randall Parr, Texas NEW!

Chief Randall F. Parr of the Tomball Fire Department is the recipient of the 2009 John M. Buckman, III Award.

The John M. Buckman, III Leadership Award recognizes a Chief Officer of a volunteer or combination department who stands out on the local and/or regional level as a true professional who has demonstrated leadership, integrity and outstanding moral values within the fire service.  This annual award is sponsored by Provident Insurance and is presented each November at the VCOS Symposium in the Sun.

“Provident has been privileged to work with many truly amazing fire service leaders over the past eighty years” said Jeff Siegrist, Regional Director of Provident Insurance.  “During that time, it’s been our belief that outstanding fire chiefs from the volunteer and combination services, despite the fact that they represent nearly 80 percent of our nation’s fire service, have been largely unrecognized when it comes to national awards.  For that reason, all of us at Provident are very proud to join with the International Association of Fire Chiefs – Volunteer & Combination Officers Section by sponsoring the John M. Buckman III Leadership Award.”  In addition to the actual award, Provident pays the winner’s travel and lodging expenses to attend the award ceremonies at the VCOS Symposium in the Sun.

Chief Randall F. Parr of the Tomball Fire Department is the recipient of this award for the year 2009.  The Tomball Fire Department is a combination department serving the 20,000 residents of Tomball, a suburb of Houston, Texas.  “Chief Parr truly an outstanding example of a great fire service leader” said Siegrist.  “Chief Parr’s accomplishments over the course of his long career are many, and his leadership skills are evident to anyone given the opportunity to meet him.  I was most impressed by his unassuming, but confident demeanor.  On a personal level, he exhibits the type of humility that often seems to be an important characteristic of a true leader… He is quick to give all credit for his success to his subordinates”.

Do you know a Chief Officer deserving of national recognition for his leadership skills?  If so, please nominate him or her for the 2010 John M. Buckman, III Leadership Award.  A nomination form can be found at:  www.providentbenefits.com

2009 Recipient: King Township Fire Department, Ontario, Canada NEW!

King Township, Canada, Fire Department was recognized at the 2009 VCOS Symposium in the Sun by being awarded the VCOS-VFIS Safe Vehicle Operations Award.  The award is presented to a department that has experienced zero vehicle accidents during the period August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010. Vehicle accidents are defined as state reportable accidents and no injuries occurred in the accident. The comprehensive nature of the department’s fleet safety policy is evaluated in this process. The award was presented to Chief Bryan Burbrige by Dr. Bill Jenaway, Executive Vice President of VFIS and Chief Dave Fulmer, VCOS Board Member.

King Township, Canada, Receives VCOS-VFIS Safe Vehicle Operations Award

Chief Bryan Burbidge of the King Township, Canada Fire Department receives the 2009 VCOS-VFIS Emergency Vehicle Safe Operation Award from Dr. Bill Jenaway, Executive Vice President of VFIS.  Also pictured as part of the presentation are (l-r) Kelvin Cochran, US Fire Administrator; Chief Burbidge, Joe Giorgi, VFIS; Dr. Jenaway; Captain Gary Binsfeld.

2009 Recipient: Worthington, Kentucky Fire-Rescue NEW!

Worthington, Kentucky Fire-Rescue was recognized at the 2009 VCOS Symposium in the Sun by being awarded the VCOS-VFIS Recruitment and Retention Award.  The award is presented to a department that has experienced positive results to a comprehensive approach to retaining and recruiting members during the period August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010. The comprehensive nature of the department’s recruitment and retention program is evaluated in this process. The award was presented to Chief Gary Yurt by Dr. Bill Jenaway, Executive Vice President of VFIS and Chief Tim Wall, VCOS Board Chair.

Worthington, KY Fire-Rescue Receives VCOS-VFIS Recruitment and Retention Award

Chief  Gary Yurt  of the Worthington, KY Fire Department receives the 2009 VCOS-VFIS Recruitment and Retention Award from Dr. Bill Jenaway, Executive Vice President of VFIS.  Also pictured as part of the presentation are (l-r) Tim Wall, Chair VCOS; Jack Parrow, 1st VP IAFC; Kelvin Cochran, US Fire Administrator; Chief Yurt, Joe Giorgi, VFIS; Dr. Jenaway; and B/C Brennen Lawrence.