Saint Paul Fire Chief Tim Butler Named Fire Officer of the Year

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 20, 2014
CONTACT:
Ashley Aram  
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Steve Zaccard  
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Saint Paul Fire Chief Tim Butler Named Fire Officer of the Year

The Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association presented the award to Butler at Fall Conference

SAINT PAUL – Saint Paul Fire Chief Tim Butler has been named Fire Officer of the Year by the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA). He was presented the award on Friday, October 17, 2014 at the MSFCA Annual Fall Conference in St. Cloud, Minn. The group cites Butler’s commitment to programs that increase safety, and improved staffing, equipment and training as the reasons for bestowing the title.

“Chief Butler has paved the way for our communities to not only feel safe and protected, but also connected, empowered and heard,” said Mayor Chris Coleman. “His genuine care for the safety of the residents of Saint Paul, and for the success and development of the men and women in his department make him more than deserving of being named Fire Officer of the Year.”

Chief Butler was instrumental to the creation of Project Safe Haven, a free program that sends firefighters to Saint Paul residents’ homes to ensure that working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed, and to help create a family escape plan. Firefighters also provide information on cooking safety and general fire safety tips through the program. He also partnered with Mayor Coleman, city departments and outside organizations to create the EMS Academy – an intensive, tuition-free emergency medical technician (EMT) certification and firefighter awareness program designed for low-income, minority and women residents of Saint Paul.

“When you combine a group of the finest firefighters, a supportive city council and mayor and fantastic community partners, it makes being fire chief the best job in the city,” said Chief Tim Butler. “This award is a direct reflection of these people and these groups, as none of the work coming out of the Saint Paul Fire Department could happen without them.”

More than 2,000 chief fire officers representing nearly 500 departments across the state make up the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association. From small, rural departments to large metropolitan organizations, the association’s goal is to provide a forum for chiefs in Minnesota where they can share information, receive training and stay abreast of issues pertaining to fire safety and prevention.

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