Lieutenant Tim Fisher has been awarded as the Holland Department of Public Safety’s Firefighter of the year for 2020. Nominated by his peers, Fisher was recognized for his ongoing efforts to do what is right for community members and always puts others and the department above self. He also is well respected for his forward thinking, adaptability and ability to find opportunity in change; always doing his best to mentor and support the growth others.
Throughout his career with the department Fisher has exercised leadership in many different ways. He was the department’s first Community Involvement Lieutenant. In this role he provided leadership and management of 4 fire personnel assigned to the Community Involvement Unit. At the time this unit was unique to the fire service and focused on creating positive working relationships with community members to partner in all-hazards awareness and prevention efforts. These efforts include introducing the Urban Survival program, an all hazards safety curriculum, into the elementary schools in the City; partnering with the Holland Police Department on the initial Child Passenger Safety Seat Program; introducing a medic first aid and CPR training program for business and industry partners in the City and being an early and active participant in the Lakeshore Safe Kids Coalition.
Other notables about Fisher include active efforts to introduce and implement thermal imagery use and training in the department. Thermal imagery allows firefighters to see in zero visibility environments and assists with victim rescue in fire environments. This occurred when thermal imagers where new to fire departments. He also is an ice water rescue instructor and regularly partners with other fire departments in the area to deliver this training to their personnel. Finally, Fisher is currently leading efforts to promote firefighter recruitment and retention practices for the department. This issue has been a challenge for most fire departments and due to his efforts, our department is making progress. Fisher is currently a shift Lieutenant and provides supervision for personnel on his shift at the Waverly Station.
Fisher embodies the department’s core values of Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Professionalism and Dedication, and demonstrates these qualities on a regular basis. These qualities demonstrate why he is the 2020 Firefighter of the Year.
Click here for MEDIA VOSOT & PKG for Fire & Police of the Year