FCFRD News Blog : Fairfax County Fire And Rescue Volunteer Training Coordinator Receives 2021 VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award

Press release from the FCFRD News Blog:

July 8, 2021

The International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS), in partnership with Vector Solutions, the leading provider of computer-based training and operational management applications for public safety agencies, announced Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Volunteer Training Coordinator James Hedrick as the recipient of the 2021 VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award. The award honors training officers for exemplary conduct and dedication to their fire department’s training program.

Hedrick has been responsible for coordinating and developing all operational training for the volunteer members of the 12 partner volunteer fire departments that are part of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, which has over 400 volunteer members. He has also managed an adjunct instructor corps of more than 40 part-time instructors and scheduling all basic training classes including introductory training, EMT basic, Firefighter (I & II as a package), EVOC, Driver Operator, recertification classes, required recurrent training and new skills training. He is a retired career battalion chief from Fairfax County who has been able to leverage his experience as a command officer to train volunteers sitting for the lieutenant’s exam and other leadership positions.

When COVID-19 started Volunteer Training Coordinator Hedrick immediately took several steps to adjust the training of volunteers to allow for the continuation of training. This included moving of all classes possible to Zoom; utilization of the Vector Solutions platform; adjusting classes that required in-person activity such as CPR by moving most of it to online learning; and creating a drive-through process in the high bay to allow members to pull in, do their skills, and drive out, minimizing exposure to all involved.

Through his efforts, Fairfax County graduated more than 70 new EMTs, on-boarded more than 150 new members, held monthly recertification training such as CPR and offered suppression training and EVOC all with reduced capacity because of COVID-19.

“Jim’s impact on the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department has been immense; he is a consummate leader – promoting, developing and encouraging the next level of firefighters and leaders, all while quietly sitting in the background and not wanting any spotlight on him,” said Shawn Stokes, Chairman of the Fairfax County Volunteer Fire Commission. “His impact and legacy can be seen every day in the number of members, volunteer and career, in the right front seat of our rigs making a difference because of Jim’s efforts.”

Fire Chief John S. Butler of Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said, “The positive impact of Jim’s dedication and leadership is visible every day through the men and women, both career and volunteer, of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. He has propelled the department forward and allowed us to adapt through the most unforeseen of circumstances. His guidance and encouragement have inspired countless firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics. His legacy thrives through the career and volunteer members who serve our community.”

For further questions, please contact Ashley Hildebrandt at ashley.hildebrandt@fairfaxcounty.gov or (703) 887-2927.

This press release was produced by the FCFRD News Blog. The views expressed here are the author’s own.