November-winner
Christopher Smith
Horry County Fire RescueMyrtle Beach, NC
The most recent recipient of Hale's Safe Firefighter of the Month Award is Christopher Smith of Myrtle Beach, S.C. He has served at Horry County Fire Rescue for the past 12 years.
"What an honor to even be nominated," said Smith, a veteran firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) for Station 18. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to help."
Smith has made safety at the fire station his top priority, taking time each shift to check that all equipment and apparatus are put in the proper place. He is very involved in the department's Heavy Rescue Program, which is training to be a driver operator. The Heavy Rescue Program teaches firefighters the best way to handle extremely dangerous situations involving confined space rescue, hazardous materials exposure and automobile extraction.
In his off-time, Smith volunteers to promote safety within his community. He serves as a fire disaster coordinator, setting up training classes for civilians and participates in a public education program called Fire Safety in Home.
According to Michael Medeiros, who nominated Smith for Safe Firefighter of the Month, "Chris is constantly trying to change the mentality of fire fighters who feel short cuts are the way to go. He takes in the whole picture before rushing in."
Sure enough, when asked what piece of advice Smith would impart to fellow firefighters, he said, "Risk versus benefit analysis is key. Many firefighters put themselves in situations of enormous risk with very little benefit. Thinking before acting can save many lives, including the lives of firefighters."
