 On
December 11, 1999, Kevin Dickinson was installed as Chief of the Hartwood
Volunteer Firemen's Association, Inc. Kevin has served 23 years in
the fire service, both volunteer and professional. He joined in 1977
shortly after graduating from Stafford Senior High School while working
as an emergency dispatcher for Stafford County Fire and Rescue. After
working at dispatch for a couple of years, he then became a firefighter/driver
for the Quantico Marine Corps Base, then known as the Marine Corps Development
and Education Command. Kevin worked at Quantico Fire Department from 1980
- 1985 and then decided to start his own drywall company. He continued
his volunteer service, quickly moving up through the ranks at Hartwood
becoming a driver/operator, lieutenant, fire instructor, Deputy Chief and
now Chief. In the summer of 1981, Kevin and two other firefighters
were badly burned in a house fire on Popular Road in Stafford County.
That however, did not deter him from continuing his dedicated service to
the department. That year he received the "Single Firefighter
of the Year" award and an award for "Service Above and Beyond the
Call of Duty". At this year's installation banquet, he was presented
the "Firefighter of the Year" award. 
Kevin has completed Firefighter
I, II & III, Fire Instructor 1, Fire Officer 1 and has extensive training
in Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations. He is a strong supporter
of, and is actively involved in, the Junior Firefighter Program at Hartwood,
which is rapidly growing. He is a staunch supporter of the new ambulance,
having already made one trip to Minnesota to go over the specifications,
and make additions/changes to the unit. He will be going back to
Minnesota in late January, early February to take delivery of Hartwood's
newest emergency vehicle.
If you or anyone you know
is interested in joining the Hartwood Volunteer Fire Department, stop by
or give them a call. They are located at 67 Hartwood Church Road,
Hartwood, VA or call (540) 752-4322. They are looking for firefighters,
driver/operators, CT's/EMT's and associate members.
(written by Carolyn Dickinson
EMT/Hartwood Volunteer Fire Department)
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