For the Reporter
Firefighter Gervase Henson and Battalion Chief Rudy Peden earned top honors at the Valley Regional Fire Authority’s annual awards presentation March 2 at the Auburn Golf Course banquet room.
Henson received the Firefighter of the Year award and Peden was chosen Fire Officer of the Year for 2017.
Henson, who began his career with the Legacy Auburn Fire Department in 2003, represents the VRFA on the King County Fire Training Association Community Outreach Team, influencing diversity awareness. He has been involved with the Aid Car Specification Committee, Emergency Services Operation (ESO) training to include the Emergency Lift Kit device and ESO billing practices. Henson, a competency-based training instructor (CBT), is known for his calm and approachable teaching style.
“He actively seeks to lift others up, and is the person I would want responding to my family in an emergency,” said a fellow firefighter. “He is competent, confident and kind.”
Peden, who began his career with the Legacy Auburn Fire Department in 1985, was promoted to captain in 1998 and battalion chief in 1999. He has served on the water rescue and technical rescue teams, the haz mat unit and fire investigation. Peden spent 11 years as a reserve King County Sheriff through his involvement with fire investigation. He has been involved in pre-incident planning, served as a CBT instructor and was the battalion chief of training. He enjoys opportunities to meet with and teach kids.
“Peden demonstrates integrity to do the right thing, leads by example and makes it enjoyable to come to work,” a co-worker said.
Administrative assistant Gwen Streeter was presented the VRFA Professional Excellence Award for her “sustained superior customer service” while helping the public and employees. She is the first to greet visitors at the headquarters station with a smile. Streeter is helpful with signing someone up for a First-Aid class, taking their blood pressure or helping an employee with their time card.
Fire Marshal Karen Stewart was presented the VRFA Professional Excellence Award for her hard work and dedication. After serving as an assistant fire marshal, Stewart was appointed to her position a year ago and has stepped up to the challenge. In that time, she and her team have retooled the office and its practices, met head-on the sharp increase in plan review and business inspections, and engaged in a comprehensive professional development and certification timeline.
Leading by example, Stewart personally sought and achieved the academic status of International Code Council (ICC) certified fire marshal while leading her staff through the individual certification processes for their positions and duties. She is the first certified fire marshal from the VRFA and its legacy agencies and also holds certifications as fire inspector 1 and fire plans examiner.
Stewart exemplifies the VFRA’s vision of “efficiently providing premier services focused on minimizing the risk to lives and property.”
