Lt. Kevin M. Kalmus, Austin (Tex.) Fire Department, is this year’s recipient of the FireRescue Magazine Company Officer of the Year Award. The award will be presented to Lt. Kalmus during the general session at Fire-Rescue International in Atlanta.
Lt. Kalmus is recognized for his excellent leadership, commitment to safety and dedication to the fire service and community involvement, as well as his active involvement with the IAFF/IAFC Fire Ground Survival Program, the centerpiece of the 2011 Safety, Health and Survival Week. He’s a 16-year veteran of the fire service, with 12 years in Austin.
In nominating Kalmus, Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr praised his leadership: “Lt. Kalmus has always exhibited the utmost dedication and selfless service to his crew, the citizens he serves, his fellow firefighters and the Austin Fire Department; he is one of our rising stars in the department.”
Another colleague, Firefighter Kacy Mustain, said, “This is a way of life—not a job—for Lt. Kalmus. He emphasizes that his #1 mission every shift is to ensure that we go home to our family the next day.”
Lt. Kalmus receives airfare, registration and hotel accommodations for the 2011 Fire-Rescue International conference, an award plaque and a $1,000 cash prize.
FireRescue Magazine would like to commend all of the nominees for the 2011 award for their innovative ideas, practices and leadership that will benefit the fire service today and in the future.