Public Safety Officer Marty Myers Receives Fire Inspection Award

KVCC Public Safety Officer and Fire Science Coordinator Marty Myers received the President’s Award from The Michigan Fire Inspectors Society at their annual meeting in September. “It is an honor receives this award from fellow Fire Marshals and Fire Inspectors,” Myers said, explaining that the organization promotes fire safety in the State of Michigan and represents over 600 fire inspectors and fire marshals. The award, which is given by the organization’s Board of directors and the President of the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society, recognizes a member who has made outstanding contributions to promote fire safety in the State of Michigan, and supports the mission and goals of the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society. “I was very fortunate to receive the 2011 President’s Award by my fellow fire inspectors, Fire Marshals and Board of Directors of the Michigan Fire Inspector Society,” Myers said.

Myers is in charge of training new fire inspectors. “I lead the education of new fire inspectors and fire marshals that are just beginning their career at their fire departments, private corporations or educational institutions,” Myers said. “I coordinate and teach the certification program that teaches all new inspectors and fire marshals how to understand the fire codes and how to conduct fire inspections. If you want to be a fire inspector, I’m in charge of getting you educated.” Fire inspector students learn to read a plan review for future building projects. This includes ensuring the building meets all fire code requirements. Students finish the program as National fire protection Association state certified inspectors and nationally certified fire inspectors. Myers serves as the team leader of the Michigan Fire Service group. The group is composed of all the fire service organizations from the State of Michigan. They work together to promote fire safety in the state of Michigan and across the country.

Another point of pride is their yearly attendance in the Congressional Fire Service Institute dinner in Washington, D.C. Myers was fire marshal for the city of Kalamazoo for 25 years and has also been a member of The Michigan Fire Inspectors Society for that long. The group’s annual meeting is held in East Lansing at the Kellogg Center. The award was a surprise, but Myers was suspicious because this was the first time he wasn’t given the task of picking up the trophies before the event. “It was a nice surprise,” he said. Kenneth Colby, Director of Public Safety at KVCC said, “Marty has dedicated his career to the protection of the citizens of the State of Michigan as a fire marshal, instructor and mentor. We at KVCC Public Safety are honored to have his expertise and energy.”