November 14, 2014 ‘Mr, Clayton Uzell Law & Fire Chairman 134106 Chagrin Blvd, #4106 ‘Moreland Hills, io 44022 Please accept this as the nomination of Robert M, Searles, Fire Chie forthe City of Mentor for your Veterans of Foreign Wars Firefighter of the Year Award. | have had the privilege of, working with Chief Searles throughout much of his career and to see firsthand his development at the Mentor Fire Department and continue to be involved with him on various committees and organlzations since his appoint as Fire Chief. This has afforded me an ideal opportunity to see him in action with his many different responsibilities and assignments throughout his career. | knew that Chief Searles was a special person and that he would have a great future atthe Mentor Fire Department from the day of his first Interview for 2 firefighter/paramedic position over twenty-six years ago. As many who compete in this extensive process and Interview for these special postions, he was very well qualified and well prepared for his Interview. What was surprising was to learn how hard he would work to achieve his goals. It was almost unbelievable that he simultaneously attended Fire School and Paramedic ‘School while working fulltime as a patrolman in the City of Lyndhurst. Most applicants struggle attending either Fire School or Paramedic School because of the difficulty while working, especially if working full-time. had never interviewed anyone whe had done this simultaneously. it was obvious he was serious about being successful and boy has he succeeded. To say that he is purposefully driven, would be an understatement. CChief Searles was appointed after completing the hiring process in January 1988. Chief Searles progressed through the highly competitive promotion process for each rank in the department to Deputy Fire Chef in twelve years. This Cl Service process includes having enough time in current rank to be eligible to compete for the next rank and having one or more vacancies so that testing is conducted. This extensive process includes a written examination covering between 2500 and 4000 pages of textbooks and policies, an ‘Assessment Center and Interviews. Testing for each rank is diferent. He was promoted to Fire Lieutenant (July 1992), Fire Battalion Chief (August 1994) and Deputy Fie Chief (April 2000}. This accelerated progression through these ranks from entry firefighter to Deputy Fice Chief in twelve years had never been accomplished before (or since). No one has recelved assessment scores that high. This did not happen by accident. He did this successfully by constant preparation and total dedication to his fre service career, He hassince been appointed Fire Chief for the City of Mentor (March 2014), As evident from his attached resume, he has attended many schools and seminars to advance in his chosen profession and he has given back his knowledge and experience by being a Fire, EMS and OPOTA Special Topics Instructor. He currently spends three days every other month teaching Blue Card Hazard Management. Successful completion of this 24-hour practical application class of Hazard Zone Management allows certification as an Incident Manager. Chief Seartes is the “total package” when it comes to being a fire service professional, Fire Officer and now Fire Chief. The following is @ quotation from a supervisor on one of his annual evaluations - “He cares about all the things that should be most important to us- Our citizens, our employees, our department and providing the best possible service to our customers’, He is extremely well respected by hs pears throughout the area. This is most evident by the frequency that he is placed in critical positions when they have significant emergencies or other special events and need outside assistance. He has helped plan Presidential and other dignitary visits to Mentor and surrounding communities. His application of his extensive Incident Management training along with many years of experience responding to major events makes him an ideal person to fit in wherever needed, Chief Searles not only understands, but also practices “Customer Service” for those who reed services. He not only handles the immediate problems at emergencies, but also strives to manage the “long haul’. Here is a recent example of this. Earlier this year, Mentor had a huge fire in a large manufacturing facility that employs 350 people - a large ‘employer in any community. While very safely and effectively managing this fve-alarm fire, he putin place the processes that were needed to assist the business owner so that by the next week, over half of their employees were back to work and thelr business could continue to thrive instead of close. This took major coordination and cooperation, started early in the fire, with the business, City Administration, Ohio Environmental Protection ‘Agency, Lake County Health Department, utility companies and Hazardous Waste cleanup ‘companies (to name a few). This does not happen this effectively in other communities and It happened because of Chief Searles and the relationships he has with others. | have seen this as a priority for him within his sphere of influence throughout his career. Sometimes it {s as simple as getting vehicles moved off the roadway so the road can be opened so people {are not late for work or school. Other times it is a “big event" lke this. He is always thinking about preventing greater disruption and negative impact on our customers and ‘community. The following excerpt is from a thank you note sent to the department by the daughter after the unexpected death of her mother. This happened when Chief Searles was 2 Lieutenant ~ "I especially wish to mention that Lt. Searles in his explanation ofthe scene, and in answering my questions, was most kind and understanding of my saddened feelings. He has a comforting manner that is exemplary and is certainly a credit to your department.” Chief Searles has a special abilty to look at the "big pleture” at emergency scenes, as well as, the immediate problems (usually long before others). Thisis best illustrated by hisactions in the first five minutes of the CSX derallment/ire/hazardous materials event in Painesville City near the Mentor City line. As Deputy Chief running the Fire Prevention Bureau and many other things at the time of this emergency, Chief Searles sent a Fire Prevention Inspector to an area hotel (a safe distance from the scene) to start securing conference and other rooms within the facility and also toa theater to get their parking lot. He recognized early that this was going to be a big, long duration (days and maybe weeks, rot just hours) event, that the successful management would require many people from 2 variety of organizations with competing agendas and that they would need a large place to set up this multi-day operation. It was needed and was utilized over the next several weeks In some form or another. Having this place to manage this huge event early certainly contributed very significantly to a safe and successful outcome. Over 75 agencies were Involved inthis event. Again, most do not recognize these needs this early and he does the “big picture” view at much smaller events just as successfully. The small house or business fire (or vehicle accident) isa big deal for you asthe over, worker or accident victim. When this happens, he makes sure you and your interest are well cared for from the very beginning instead of being an afterthought. ‘One of his many duties as Deputy Fie Chief included supervising the Fre Prevention Bureau (Fire and Building Code Enforcement]. This is challenging during good economictimes but is ‘much more difficult with a struggling economy. Chief Searles alvays managed to ensure safety regulations were followed appropriately but with a huge dose of cooperation and cammon zanea instead of confrontation and ertciem. Me would regularly dal with dificult situations and in the end achieve compliance without undue hardship for the business. This ‘agains an example of looking at the big view in dealing with our community customers CChie Searles has been the “behind the scenes guy” on so many out of the routine and non- normal projects undertaken by a big, busy Fire/EMS service. the Mentor Fire Department. When it was determined that Lake County fire departments would move the hospitalized patients from closing Lake East Hospital to the new TriPoint Medical Center (as practice for areal evacuation should one ever be needed), Chief Searles spent countless hours making plans and preparations. The short-term direct result ofthese efforts was the flawless, safe, efficient move of all the patients. The long-term, ongoing and potentially never ending result has been the development of a successful system for a move af patients that can be used whenever needed. This system was successfully used at an Eastern Lake County nursing felty for an evacuation after a chemical leak, and again in 2014 for relocation of patients from a Mentor nursing/rehabilitation facility after a major water-main break during, sub-zero weather. CChief Searles was essential in planning and organizing the HINA (Bird Flu) vaccination program for Lake County, This program involved designating, designing and operating large-scale community vaccination centers throughout Lake County and widespread use of firefighter/paramedics to give the vaccinations. The Health Department/Fire Department partnership for this program was not the norm and again required many hours of planning and preparation. Chief Searles was instrumental in this. Flrefighter/paramedicsadministered nearly 50% of the vaccinations in Lake County, an. extraordinary accomplishment when compared to other areas of the state and even the nation. The success of the vaccination program in Lake County was showcased with Health and Human Services officials in Washington, DC, by Dr. Carol Cunningham, State of Ohio EMS Medical Director. Again, Chief Searles “fingerprints” were all ver this outstanding program, Chief Searles has been actively involved in school safety with Mentor schools for many years. He was part ofthe response to the shooting at Chardon High School. This, along with his aw enforcement background and extensive Fire/EMS experience, has made him an ideal ‘member ofthe Ohio Attorney General's School Safety Task Force, He was very successful Ia guiding this committee to include Fire and Emergency Medical Services as key components ‘along with Law Enforcement in schoo! safety plans and training, Many critical portions of ‘the recommendations from the Task Force are the result of Chief Searles efforts ‘As well as leading the Mentor Fire Department, Chief Searles fils many other roles. He is the Fire Coordinator at the Lake County Emergency Operations Center. This role origin was for Perry Nuclear Power Plant emergencies. It has matured into @ key position for significant emergencies from most any natural or manmade cause, He Is a long-time ‘member and is now Chairperson of the Lake County Fire Chiefs Disaster Committee, Fire Chief's Mutual Ald Box Alarm System Committee, Fire Chiefs Education Committee and Lake Health Emergency Preparedness Committee. in 2015, he will become President of the Lake County Fire Chief's association Last, but not least | should mention the service of Chief Searles children. His son, Robert, s 2 fireighter/paramedic full-time in Beachwood and part-time in Kirtland. His daughter, ‘Shannon, isa schoolteacher and new mother. Her husband, Nate, is an Air Force Pilot fying F-1SE Strike Eagles. They are currently stationed in North Carolina ‘Asa long-time fire service member with 16 years as Fire Chef, | can say that many “heroic acts” are performed throughout the year by individual firefighters or fire companies. That being sald, even more challenging and important is making sure that “our customers" get the best service ne matter what thelr prablem- big, small, requiring heroics or just an act of kindness. Chief Searles embodies this in himself, his organization and everyone that he Interacts and influences. He not only “talks the talk” but he also "walks the walk” in bi every action. | know many, many Fire/EMS people providing services to their communities. “That being sald, the person that | feel is mast deserving for consideration of your prestigious award Is Robert M. Searles, Fire Chief forthe City of Mentor. “Thank you for your consideration ofthis nomination — HhaAd, Mosse Richard L. Harvey é Retired Fire Chief, Mentor Fire Department