Excelsior Fire Chief Named Minnesota's Fire Officer of the Year

Excelsior Fire District Chief Scott Gerber was awarded the Minnesota State Fire Chief Association’s Fire Officer of the Year Award during the association’s annual conference in St. Cloud last Friday.

Chief Gerber was nominated for his instrumental role in developing the statewide mutual aid process and the revamping of the State Fire Chiefs “Fast Team” program, as well as for his work with the Life Safety Unit group to implement and improve firefighter rehab at fire scenes. Gerber was also the lead advocate in working with Hennepin Radio on the radio protocol for the fire departments and the training of the dispatchers to use the protocols.

Chief Gerber has been the Excelsior Fire District Chief since September of 2006. Before coming to the Excelsior Fire District he was the Risk/Emergency Management Director for Carver County for 14 years. Gerber has also been on the Chaska Fire Department for almost 15 years and served as the Assistant Chief from 2005-2006.

In 2002 and 2006 Gerber received an Outstanding State Director of the Year Award from the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers, and in 2006 he was awarded a Certificate of Special Recognition for his service to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Excelsior Fire District came home with two awards from last weekend’s conference in St. Cloud.

Fire Inspector Kellie Murphy-Ringate was presented with the Frank Oberg Award, which is given to an individual who has written a favorable story on or for the fire service. The article appeared in the July/August issue of the Minnesota Fire Chief magazine. In 2009 Kellie was awarded the Minnesota State Fire Chief Association’s Fire Educator of the Year Award.

Patch is planning an in-depth profile on Chief Scott Gerber. Click the “keep me updated” button below to be notified when it posts.