Lieutenant Michael Robertson was selected as the 2011 Fire News Outstanding Leadership Award winner for his efforts with the county-wide Junior Firefighter/Explorer program.
Robertson was among 10 other nominees from across the nation. The nomination was submitted by Captain William McCorkle of the Mount Laurel Fire Department.
In McCorkle’s submission, he noted that “Lieutenant Robertson has played a very important role in a county-wide initiative to promote recruitment of volunteer firefighters through each agency’s Junior Firefighter/Explorer programs. This initiative created a countywide Junior Firefighter/Explorer firefighter competition first conducted in June 2008.
Coordinated by Robertson, this event has had a positive impact supporting youth programs across Burlington county serving as a future talent pipeline for the fire service.”
Robertson’s involvement in firefighter explorer programs began in 2007 when he was assigned as the advisor to Evesham Fire-Rescue’s Explorer Post 226. His enthusiasm for Post 226 was evident as he promoted the post and grew the ranks, encouraged other Burlington County Fire Departments to create Explorer Programs, and culminated in 2008 with the countywide Junior Firefighter/Explorer Competition.
Robertson received his award on Friday July 22 at the East Coast’s largest fire service trade show, Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Md.
