YFD honors firefighters and emergency personnel at event
The Yuma Fire Department observed the beginning of National Fire Prevention Week with an evening ceremony to recognize several firefighters and other emergency service personnel who go “above and beyond” in their service to the community.
Held at Fire Station No. 1 on Tuesday evening, the commemoration began with the reading of a proclamation by Mayor Douglas Nicholls, who designated the week of Oct. 7 -13 as Fire Prevention Week in Yuma. A promotion ceremony was conducted afterward by Fire Marshall Kayla Holiman.
This year’s Support Person of the Year for the Yuma Fire Department is Traci Campuzano, who was recognized for being instrumental in analyzing the data from all areas of fire department responses and then compiling it into a template that was used to evaluate and understand agency trends.
“Traci was the driving force in the gathering, analysis, and dissemination of this required data,” her nomination read. “We truly would not have been successful in our recent accreditation process without her dedication and commitment.”
The distinction of Firefighter of the Year was bestowed upon David Padilla Jr., whose commitment to the Yuma Fire Department has long been recog-
nized and proven through his consistent actions and projects, YFD said. Within the last year, he has taught multiple classes for the Professional Services Division to include developing a program and creating the lesson plan to bring paramedics up to date on new advanced airway techniques.
According to his nomination form, “his commitment to the next generation of firefighters also runs deep. He has taught multiple classes at the last three recruit academies to include hose loads, hydrant connections, ladder operations, ropes/knots, and nozzle use. He is constantly mentoring the probationary firefighter at station 2 by leading training and proficiency classes even when the station Captain is busy with other duties.”
For his mechanical aptitude and developed trade skills in welding and other fields, which are regularly utilized both on emergency scenes and to maintain apparatus and facilities, firefighter Jordan Bowers was chosen as the Fire Engineer of the Year.
Bowers’ trade skills have been proven time and again, his nomination form noted, through work such as installing the 9/11 memorial at Fire Station 1, critically assisting in the ambulance build/rehabilitation process, and fabricating pull-up bars for various stations.
“He is adept at both recognizing and resolving problems that arise on apparatus, at a station, or on an emergency scene. Jordan’s efforts as an Engineer far exceed simply performing job requirements. Jordan is in charge of the department’s ladder project and is instrumental as an assistant manager of the wildland fire project.”
While the Yuma Fire Department was going through the accreditation process this year, Battalion Chief Richard Root managed the daily responsibilities of the Professional Services Division including recruitment of firefighter candidates, overseeing the hiring process, overseeing the EMS refresher program and all of his other regular duties, which is why he was chosen as the Fire Officer of the Year.
“He was responsive to requested information and was able to thoroughly articulate the many processes of the agency to the accreditation review team,” his nomination included. “Chief Root was an instrumental part of the success of our agency accreditation.”
After the men and women came forward to claim their accolades, friends and family congratulated them further during a small gathering in the bay of the station.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 5396854. Find him on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.