The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) named Parker Ketler the 2017 Junior Firefighter of the Year at its spring board meeting April 7. California Casualty is a proud sponsor of the Junior Firefighter of the Year award and we were pleased to present Parker with his momentous achievement.
It’s easy to see why the NVFC chose him for the honor. Parker is the stepson of a firefighter and spent much of his childhood at the Sebring, Ohio Fire Department. That early exposure helped him excel when the department launched an Explorer Post in 2010. Chief Brian Anderson said that Parker was the obvious choice to become the Post’s first president.
Parker is dedicated to public safety; described as ambitious, eager and hardworking. He would often volunteer to do maintenance and other tasks at the fire station as a teen, and participated in demonstrations for other fellow students about the dangers of distracted driving.
Parker has earned several awards, including the 2016 Distinguished Volunteer Service Cross Commendation from the Village of Sebring, Alliance Elks Teen of the Month and the Award of Excellence for Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity from the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
Parker continues his love for the fire service, pursuing a degree in Fire Science at Columbus State University, where he has earned his Firefighter I and II certifications and is undergoing EMT training. He has joined the Sebring Fire Department as a firefighter and serves each weekend with the department when his studies allow.
California Casualty is proud to serve firefighters, like Parker, for more than 40 years. Our company also provides funding for the NVFC Junior Firefighter Program Starter Kit, which aids fire agencies in starting their own program for their communities and to help develop future volunteer and career firefighters. Learn more about the Program at https://juniors.nvfc.org/resources.
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