USTRANSCOM's NCIS rep named O'Fallon Firefighter of the Year
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The Haiti earthquake once again reminds us of the selfless acts performed daily by emergency responders and volunteers everywhere.
The recent apartment fire in O'Fallon brings those thoughts closer to home as we focus on local police, medical and fire department professionals.
One member of the O'Fallon Volunteer Fire Department, who responded to the early morning call on Jan. 22, Bradley White, was recently named the 2009 Rotary Club of O'Fallon Firefighter of the Year.
White, is a full-time employee of the U.S. Transportation Command, Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
"I work in the counterintelligence, human intelligence division," White, 38, said. "Basically, I'm liaison from NCIS reporting in the field, their intelligence collectors relay TRANSCOM requirements to them. And then, as they do the reporting, I relay that information back to the command here for ops (operations) planning."
White came to USTRANSCOM in 2004 after 13 years in the Marine Corps. He joined the O'Fallon Volunteer Fire Department three years ago.
"After getting here and being behind a desk I needed something to burn off adrenalin," White said. "My wife didn't want me to do reserve police work and get shot at anymore so I decided to go with the fire department."
O'Fallon Fire Chief Brent Saunders is glad White chose to join his department.
"Brad was chosen for Firefighter of the Year for a variety of reasons," Saunders said. "In the few years the Brad has been with the department, he has been very eager to build his knowledge in the fire service. Not only has he taken all of the required training to be a firefighter, he has continued to attend additional classes to broaden that skill set.
"Early in his involvement with the fire department, it was apparent that Brad possessed good decision making ability and management skills," Saunders continued. "His actions on the fire ground echoed these assets. Firefighter White was appointed as acting Station Captain for Engine House #3. The Station Captain is responsible for the day to day fire fighting activities and basic station operations."
Last year White responded to 547 of 920, or 65 percent of the fire service calls. Only Chief Saunders and Assistant Chief Craig Schmidt responded to more calls.
"I don't know what to call it, good luck or coincidence," White said. "As soon as I leave the gate (Scott Air Force Base), I turn my pager on and then will typically run calls until I come to work the next morning. The apartment fire for example. We got done at 5:30, I got home, took a shower and came in to work at 6:30."
White says his wife, Angie, and their children Ashlynn, 14, Dylan, 17, and Sierra, 10 support his fire service work.
"The kids really enjoy it," White said. "They all put up with my getting called out while at a restaurant. It gets a little old for my wife sometimes though."
White said he was surprised to receive the Firefighter of the Year award.
"I was quite shocked, but it's definitely good to know people do recognize what you do," White said. "I told chief, jokingly, 'to make sure I won't be the guy next year.' Run under the radar is how I like to do it.
"Both the folks here (at USTRANSCOM) and in O'Fallon are good folks," White added. "They make it real easy to work with. It's kind of like being back in the military without having to wear the uniform, so I enjoy it."
Additionally, White also contributes more than 25 hours a year to community service activities with the department and more.
"Brad was also willing to take on the task of quarter master," Saunders said. "This position is responsible for all of the department's uniforms and firefighting clothing. Any apparel that is issued to a firefighter goes through Brad. It includes everything from fire turnout gear to the pins that go on a dress uniform. He has taken the position and excelled with all aspects.
"Brad White has been a significant asset to the fire department from the day he started," Saunders added. "We greatly appreciate his involvement and the sacrifices that he and his family makes while performing all of his duties."
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