Fourth District Public Safety Awards Honor Cormack, Miller and Wilson

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Los Angeles Fire Captains Bob Cormack, Dean Miller and Michael Wilson were named the Fire Fighters of the Year for the unincorporated communities of Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights and Whittier, respectively, at the annual Fourth District Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon held at the Pacific Palms Hotel in the City of Industry on November 10, 2011. Hosted by Supervisor Don Knabe, the annual awards ceremony recognizes firefighters, sheriff's deputies and highway patrol officers who've performed exceptional service in the line of duty. Knabe was joined by Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, California Highway Patrol Chief Steve Beeuwsaert and others in honoring these 'homeland heroes.'

Cormack is a 31-year LACoFD member who has been assigned to Fire Station 118 in the City of Industry for almost 10 years. Demonstrating a sincere interest in helping others, he has dedicated additional time to the Department serving as an Urban Search and Rescue Instructor and participating in the Rescue Youth and Explorer Programs. A former high school athlete, Cormack knows the importance of team effort and has found gratification in a career that offers much of the same. His enthusiasm was obvious when he stated, "I still enjoy the job every bit as much as in the beginning." Cormack enjoys spending time with his family which includes three children and 10 grandchildren. His two daughters Erin and Sarah are both dispatchers for LACoFD and his son Joey hopes to follow in his footsteps by also becoming a firefighter.

Time spent as a La Habra Heights volunteer firefighter provided Miller with the experience and insight needed to pursue the profession he enjoys today. He began his career as a firefighter with the Monterey Park Fire Department and after seven years, was hired by LACoFD. Assigned to Fire Station 119 for the past three years, Miller takes pride in overseeing the training of paramedics at his station. He has also worked with the Rescue Youth Program which allowed him and his crew to serve as mentors for local youth. What stands out the most to him during his 32-year career is the positive interaction with the public. "Just being able to help someone and after the incident when they take time to come back to acknowledge you and say thank you," he says is most rewarding. Miller has been married to his wife Dawn for 32 years and they have two sons, Travis and Shaun.

Wilson, who works out of Fire Station 96, began his fire service career in 1988 after achieving a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University, where he attended on a singing scholarship. He has shown dedication and versatility throughout his career, including becoming a Hazardous Materials Technician and Specialist, a Battalion Driving Instructor and a Fire Inspector. After promoting to Fire Captain, he worked on the Prevention Division's Training Committee, where he oversaw the training of new fire inspectors and helped formulate new policies and procedures before returning to the field to serve the residents of Whittier. Throughout his career he has also worked with LACoFD Honor Guard, performing the National Anthem at firefighter memorial services and funerals, as well as state and national fire service conventions. Wilson and his wife Tanya have three children: 19-year-old Damani, who is attending Harvard University; 17-year-old Jabari and 15-year-old Nyah.

Well done to these 'homeland heroes' on their well-deserved recognitions!

Republished with permission of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. View original article here.



Author:LACoFD