This year’s recipient of the Leadership Award has grown into his role as a formal leader within the department.  He serves in a position where his actions and words are seen, heard and many times scrutinized.  However, he is never shy about his thoughts and strives to make those around him better by making himself better.

Webster’s dictionary defines a leader as someone who shows the way, by going in front. This past year has been full of change for the department.  Many have had to embrace a change that they may not have personally been supportive of.    This individual chose to stay on his shift and take on a role that was not required of him, a role that would require a lot of personal sacrifice.  He serves as a floating lieutenant and is at times required to change station assignments many times in one day.  This individual has taken this role willingly and has filled it all while exhibiting a positive attitude.

This individual is called upon to step up in rank from time to time and does so with ease.  He takes any assignment seriously and works hard to ensure that he does the roll justice. This individual is a service officer, a fire investigator and a paramedic.  He is not afraid of work.  However, in each of these roles he makes an effort to not just do the job, but to do the job justice.

In the words of his supervising officer, “It is easy to list certifications and training that a firefighter completes as accomplishments, it is sometimes more difficult to convey what a firefighter truly adds to his department.  This Lieutenant continues to prove his worth to this department with his dedication to hard work and his positive attitude.”

It is my pleasure to announce this year’s Leadership Award recipient, Lieutenant Jack Ray.