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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-15-2002 - 5a ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 15, 2002 Action Agenda Item No. L5---Q- SUBJECT:SUBJECT: Recognition of 2002 Public Safety Service Officers of the Year DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Background Information on Honorees Barry Jacobs, 245-2125 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To provide recognition to individuals nominated by their respective agencies as 2002 Service Officer of the Year. BACKGROUND: The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce recently held a ceremony recognizing individuals from a variety of public safety agencies in Orange County for outstanding service to the community. The Board of Commissioners expressed a desire to similarly recognize these individuals for their hard work and dedication. Background information compiled by the Chamber for their ceremony is provided as an attachment. Individuals to be recognized and the agencies they represent are: Jim Orbich Chapel Hill Police Dave Park Chapel Hill Fire Matthew Dean Carrboro Police Scott Trombley Carrboro Fire Matthew Dodson UNC Division of Public Safety Larry Faucette Orange County Sheriffs Department James Summey Orange County Department of Emergency Management Representatives of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce have indicated their plans to attend this recognition. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this agenda item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board recognize the 2002 Public Safety Service Officers of the Year. 2 2002 PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICERS OF THE YEAR Awardee Biographies Jim Orbich, Officer Chapel Hill Police Department Jim Orbich began employment with the Town of Chapel Hill in July 1991 as a Public Safety Officer. He attended the Chapel Hill Fire Academy and Basic Law Enforcement Training at the Chapel Hill Police Department and served as a team member on the department's Special Emergency Response Team from 1995 until 2001. He is a Specialized Instructor for Subject Control/Arrest Techniques and instructs in the departments BLET program as well as department in-service since December 1995. Jim is a handler in the department's K-9 Unit and works with a German Shepherd named "Xaro". Prior to employment with the town,Jim served in the United States Army as an Airborne Military Policeman for six years. He has been married to wife, Andrea, for ten years, and has two sons, Jacob age five and Luke age three. Dave Park, Chapel Hill Fire Department Dave Park started with The Chapel Hill Fire Department on October 7, 1999. He is originally from Ontario, Canada, and comes from a family of farmers (His father and his four brothers farmed over 10,000 acres of land in Canada.) Dave has received several letters of commendation during his service with The Chapel Hill Fire Department and received recognition as Firefighter of the Year in both Hillsborough and Chapel Hill Fire Departments. Additionally,he was one of the Firefighters recently awarded commendations for the rescue of a mother and 2 year old child out of a house fire. When not on duty, Firefighter Park enjoys working on construction projects and recently took over and fulfilled several projects that were unfinished by the late friend Peter Sznerch, a fallen Firefighter with the Chapel Hill Fire Department. Dave Park says he loves his job, "I can't imagine anything more important and am totally committed to it.' Dave is the father of two children, Ashley(a student at Southern Middle School in Graham) and DJ (a student at B. Everette Jordan Elementary School in Saxapahaw.) Dave's wife Pat works at Blue Cross/Blue Shield Matthew Dean, Carrboro Police Department Matthew Dean began work with the Carrboro Police Department in March 1995 as a patrol officer. He moved into Investigations in November 1998 and into his current assignment in the Community Services Division in August 2001. Matthew is originally from Houston,Texas and first came to area to attend LINC'. He graduated in December 1993 with a degree in International Studies. His position with the Carrboro Police Department is his first job in Law Enforcement. Matthew believes that "it is unfortunate that law enforcement is so important,but there are people determined to do harm to others. I believe society must have those that are willing and able to protect it and I am committed to that aspect of this career in particular." Matthew and wife Trish live in Durham, and expect their first child any day. Scott!Trombley, Carrboro Fire Department Scott Trombley started working for the Carrboro Fire Department on December 8, 1997 and was promoted to his current position of Fire Driver on April 26, 2001. Scott is originally from New York State and after military service,he settled in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area and worked as a brick mason for 15 years prior to joining the fire service. Fire Driver Trombley feels that his job is very important to the safety of the community and its people. HIS commitment to his job is very strong and he really enjoys his work. He is a single parent of a 13 year old son, Shannon, a student at McDougle Middle School. His Captain, Kent Squires, describes Scott as "A very dedicated employee, with a strong work ethic and willingness to learn. He is a devoted family man and always willing to come to the aid and assistance of anyone in need." Deputy Chief George adds that "Scott demonstrates a high degree of leadership and pride 3 in his work. The project for which this honor is being focused is only a small example of who he is, and what he is like." Matthew Dodson, UNC Division of Public Safety Matthew Dodson was born in Chapel Hill and attended Alamance Community College. Matthew was pro- moted to Police Officer I in September 2000 and graduated Basic Law Enforcement Training in January 2001 from the Chapel Hill Police Academy. He has been with the Department of Public Safety since August 1997 where he originally worked as a temporary security guard. He also worked as a Parking Control Officer for a little over two years'prior to becoming a police officer at the Department of Public Safety. Matthew received two Commendations for 2000 while working as a Parking Control Officer, and in 2001 received a Unit Commendation for professionalism in handling the pipe bomb on LINC campus. This year, he also received a Commendation for malting several traffic stops/arrests resulting in four persons wanted by out of state agencies being apprehended and in July 2002 received the Officer of the Year Award. Larry Faucette, Orange County Sheriffs Department Larry Faucette began work with the Orange County Sheriffs Department in July 1983. He was born and raised in Hillsborough, and prior to his career in law enforcement, worked and coached at Orange High School. Larry received an Advance Law Enforcement Certificate and was promoted to Sergeant in the Narcotics Division. He often addresses various community groups and schools and works closely together with other agencies, local and federal. He is also a member of Narcotics Officers Association. Larry maintains that his 20 year career with the Sheriffs Department has been rewarding, "It's been "A joy dealing and working with so many different people and making it safe for the citizens of Orange County." His wife Shelley is a teacher at Cedar Ridge High School, daughter Ashleigh is a 5th grade student at Cameron Park Elementary School, and daughter Haleigh is a 3rd grade student at Cameron Park Elementary School. James Summey,Telecommunicator, Orange County Emergency Management James Summey began working with Orange County in January 1998. He was born and raised in Hillsbor- ough and has lived in Orange County all his life. Before joining EMS, James worked for his family's busi- ness. James first began in Emergency Services as a Volunteer with Hillsborough Fire Department nineteen years ago and progressed through the ranks from Firefighter all the way to Chief. He is still currently a Volunteer Firefighter with Efland Fire Department. He was named Firefighter of the Year and Officer of the Year while at The Hillsborough Fire Department. Since coming to work for Orange County EMS, he has received the "You Can Count on Me Award" for going above and beyond the normal scope of duties and the Superior Meritorious Service Award. James is dedicated to his job, "I feel that our job is integral part of emergency services, all emergency responses began with us and how we handle our job can have a positive effect on the outcome of the emergency" he says. James Summey's wife Deborah works as a Claims Examiner for Blue Cross Blue Shield in the Chapel Hill Office, and both of his brothers are retired local law enforcement officers.