JOHN PALMER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHERS ASSOCIATION
FIREFIGHTER/EMT/ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBER OF THE QUARTER
OCTOBER 2014

The Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) is pleased to submit the name of John Palmer for consideration for the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association (AACVFA) Firefighter/EMT of the Quarter Award.  John joined our company just a little over a year ago on April 9, 2013 and has become a valuable asset to our company.

John came to OVFC with prior fire and EMS experience in another state.  His prior fire service training was already IFSAC accredited, enabling him to join our active responder roster almost immediately.  Since his prior NREMT certification had lapsed, he completed Maryland Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training to enable him to respond as an ambulance attendant.  Since joining our company, he has completed the MFRI Aerial Apparatus Operator/Truck Company Operations course to become cleared to ride Odenton’s ladder truck, and more recently completed the MFRI Emergency Vehicle Operator course to allow him to be cleared as an ambulance driver.  Not to be stopped there, he has also completed the Pump Operator course and has begun drivers training on Odenton’s engines.  In just a little over 18-months, John has achieved a level not typically realized by many members until completing five years of service or more.

John’s support to the company has not stopped with his emergency operations role.  Late last year, he was asked to assume the role as Chairman of the Facilities Committee, taking on responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of our fire station.  In just a short time, our company realized his talents and capabilities, with normal repairs taken care of often without being asked.  John takes the necessary action to ensure that each task is implemented with perfection and often comes forth with new proposals to upgrade or maintain the building.  Most recently, John completed a lighting upgrade to replace lighting in our training building and other areas with lower cost type light bulbs, ultimately saving the company money on electrical billing.  He is also in the process of completing a redesign of the station’s information sharing and run assignment board, a project we all look forward to and intend to show off proudly once it is completed.