September 2011 Winner
Donald Collins
Howell County Rural Fire Dept.
West Plains, MO
Firefighter Donald Collins of the Howell County Rural Fire Department is constantly looking out for his fellow firefighters, according to Christy Cantrell, the co-worker who nominated him. Collins is a volunteer firefighter who serves as a safety officer at Howell County, where he has faithfully contributed his time and efforts for the past 10 years. He participates in staff planning meetings and training sessions as often as he can, always focusing on the importance of safety.
Collins helps score drivers on the department's driving course in order to be certain that those who operate fire trucks have safety and control mastered. He also helps keep track of other firefighters when called to the scene of an emergency with a tag-in tag-out accountability system.
"Look out for your fellow firefighter," said Collins. "Everyone needs to have each other's back and communicate."
We are saddened to announce that Donald Collins passed away on November 25, 2011.
From the obituary that appeared in the West Plains Daily Quill:
He was born June 16, 1973, at West Plains, Mo., to Donald and Helena Bauer Collins. On Sept. 27, 1991, he was married at West Plains, Mo., to Gina Vaughn. Mr. Collins was a member of the Howell County Rural Fire Department and was a boilermaker. He enjoyed hunting and working on the farm and was a loving husband, father, son and friend.
He is survived by his wife, Gina Collins, of the family home; two children, Jennifer Vaughn-Collins, West Plains, Mo., and Jaycob Collins, of the family home; one grandchild on the way, Jocelyn; his parents, Donald and Helena Collins, West Plains, Mo.; one brother, Jeremy Collins, Nixa, Mo.; one sister, Sheila Welch, West Plains, Mo.; mother-in-law, Kittie Vaughn, West Plains, Mo.; special friend, Delbert Lewis, West Plains, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.
His grandparents and father-in-law, Leo Vaughn, precede him in death.
A few words from the Howell County Rural Fire Department:
Donald was hired by our department on 5/31/2001. In his career with us, he started out as a Firefighter and was promoted to a Safety Officer. He was a devoted Firefighter with our department.
Donald was a devoted family man as well as a great guy. If you ever needed anything, he would be there to help out if he could. Donald will be missed greatly by his Fire Department family as well as his other family and friends.
