2019 Fire Educator of the Year Named

NYSAFC honored Fire Protection Specialist Edward Fletcher of the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control as the 2019 recipient of its Chief Fred W. Singer Fire Educator of the Year Award. The award was presented on June 13, 2019, during the 113th Annual Conference & FIRE 2019 Expo in Syracuse.

One of the primary missions of NYSAFC is to provide education for fire chiefs, officers, and firefighters throughout New York state. This award is presented annually in memory of Past President Fred Singer to recognize an association member for exceptional effort in fire service instruction within the Empire State.

Fletcher has been working for OFPC for 16 years and has spent his entire career teaching hazardous materials curriculum to New York state responders. By providing instruction across the state on a full-time basis, he is personally responsible for the education of thousands of hazardous materials responders and has heavily influenced hazardous materials preparedness and response statewide.

Fletcher has helped develop numerous programs, including the Hazardous Materials Fire Responder Operations, Hazardous Materials Technician, Cargo Truck Specialist, and High Hazard Train Fires courses. Well known throughout the haz-mat industry as an invaluable reference, Fletcher frequently provides advice for local responders. With a style of instruction that is equal parts entertainment and education, he shares stories from responses to many major haz-mat incidents that occurred in New York state. Fletcher continuously advocates for the advancement of hazardous materials education. He has been instrumental in the expansion of the New York State Academy of Fire Science training grounds by obtaining a multitude of hazardous material props that have enhanced the training of students from all regions of New York state.

NYSAFC is now accepting nominations for the 2020 New York State Fire Educator of the Year Award. Learn more here.