May2011-winner

Julie Yahnke

Red Lion Fire Department
Red Lion, PA

The most recent recipient of Hale's Safe Firefighter of the Month award is Julie Yahnke, president of the Red Lion Fire Department in Red Lion, Pa. Yahnke has been a firefighter for the past nine years, serving as both a full-time career firefighter and a volunteer firefighter.

 "This was a huge surprise," said a very grateful Yahnke. "I'm happy to promote the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and I'm very excited to have won this honor on behalf of my fire department."

Yahnke's commitment to fire service health and safety is always apparent. She exercises daily with strength and cardiovascular training, and encourages her fellow firefighters to do the same. She is also working to establish a program within the department that will cover all firefighter physical exams, as a way to ensure and protect everyone's good health.

She takes it upon herself to check that everyone has the appropriate protective gear when called to the scene of any emergency. Furthermore, Yahnke stops all unsafe practices she witness regardless of other firefighters' rank or position.

Yahnke makes a continuous effort to educate herself, and she realizes the importance of staying current on safety training classes. She attends several certification courses each year, including health and safety, incident officer and arson investigation classes.

"She continually educates herself above and beyond that asked of her by her volunteer station and her career department," said Benjamin Rodkey, who nominated Yahnke for the Safe Firefighter of the Month Award. "She is not going to allow her ghost to say that lack of training was her demise. Firefighter Yahnke's attitude and demeanor represent the fire service to the highest standards. She is truly an unsung hero and leader."