The Albertville Fire Department is excited to announce that Albertville Fire Department Assistant Chief Tate Mills was recently selected as one of two winners for the 2015 Minnesota Fire Officer of the Year award which is presented annually by the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA).
Albertville Fire Department’s Tate Mills, pictured with assistant chief Jay Eull, was awarded Fire Officer of the Year by the MSFCA.
Assistant Chief Mills was nominated and selected by his peers for his endless work and selfless vision for the Albertville Fire Department and the communities it serves. The award reflects on Assistant Chief Mills’ professional dedication to the Department and community over the previous 8 years of service as Fire Chief. Mills will be honored at an Awards Ceremony at the upcoming MSFCA convention in Duluth on October 23rd.
Along with the award, Assistant Chief Mills will be given a $1,000 training scholarship to use for his continuing professional education.
“This award is a huge accomplishment and a great recognition for Assistant Chief Mills, the Albertville Fire Department, and the Cities of Albertville and Otsego,” said Eric Bullen, Albertville Fire Department chief.
Sponsored by the Emergency Apparatus Maintanence, there are two Fire Officer of the Year awards given annually to very deserving members of the fire service. One award is presented to an officer from a city whose population is under 10,000 and the other award is presented to an officer whose cities population is over 10,000. These officers are nominated by peers and each winner receives an award and grant of $1,000 to be used by them or their department for a MSFCA approved project.
Up to two awards can be presented each year; one for a fire officer serving a small city or township (10,000 population or less), and one additional award open to fire officers with more than 10,000 population.
Individuals who are eligible for nomination and selection as Fire Officer of the Year are limited to active officers of departments. Qualified individuals include; Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Training Officer, Fire Marshal, etc.
Selection criteria will emphasize leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public and contributions to the fire service as a whole. All of a nominee’s fire service activities and accomplishments will be considered, but, because this is the Fire Officer of the Year award, special emphasis will be placed on the last three year period. A nominee’s command role at a major emergency incident, while relevant, will not be enough to place that individual into contention for the award.