He completed the Executive Fire Officer training program provided by FEMA.
Frederick, Md (KM). A Frederick County Career fire fighter was honored Tuesday for a special accomplishment. County Executive Jan Gardner recognized Captain Jeremy Wade for completing the Executive Fire Officer training program provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg.
During a ceremony at Winchester Hall, Gardner said this accomplishment is a “big deal.” “Just getting accepted into the Executive Fire Officer program is an accomplishment by itself,” she said. “About a third of all of the applicants are not invited to take part in the program. The program is very selective.”
And even after anyone is accepted, Gardner says the course is very demanding. “Once an applicant is accepted into the program, they begin a four-year journey. That includes completing annual courses and pre-course assignments; completing an applied research project each year; and maintaining their eligibility throughout the four-year cycle,” she says.
The program provides senior officers training in executive-level leadership skills, helps them apply valuable research, create a deeper understanding of how to operate a pro-active fire and rescue service and give them tools to transform their organizations.
“The Executive Fire Officer program through the National Fire Academy is the premier leadership training program within the fire service,”: says Tom Coe, Acting Chief of the Division of Fire and Rescue Services. “Captain Wade’s completion of this program will further enhance his preparation to a chief officer’s position, and I have no doubt that he will achieve that goal.”
Captain Wade, who first became a career fire fighter with Frederick County in 2002, currently serves as the Station Commander of the Green Valley Fire Station in Monrovia. He has also served at fire stations in Myersville and New Market, and was a detail officer at the Junior Fire Company in downtown Frederick, Wade has also served on the Policy Review Committee at the Division of Fire and Rescue Services, and recently passed the 2019 Battalion Chief exam. He’s currently a certified child safety seat technician.
“I just like to thank the county staff, the Division staff that assisted me with the research projects that were part of the Executive Officer program,” Captain Wade said. “And also would like to recognize my family who could not be here, and my second family, the guys from my shift at Green Valley, who are here in support of me today. Thank you!”
Several other Frederick County fire fighters have successfully completed the Executive Fire Officer training program, including Deputy Chief Steve Leatherman, Battalion Chief Mike Dmuchowski, Captain Christopher Mullendore, and retirees Bureau Chief Rick Himes, Lieutenant Eric Jacobs, Deputy Chief Andy Marsh, Chief Walter Murray and Captain George Thomas.
By Kevin McManus