(Posted Oct. 2, 2015)
Brian Bennington, chief of the Central Townships Joint Fire District in Madison County, earned the Ohio Fire Officer of the Year award.
The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal and the Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of EMS presented the award at the state’s 35th annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame ceremony on Sept. 16.
Bennington has served in the fire service since 1990, beginning his career at Pleasant Township Fire Department in Clark County, then swiftly moving through the ranks to eventually become chief at Central Townships.
He has achieved 100 percent Level II certification for his department in an 18-month time period. He also has achieved fire certifications for all members of the concurrent Madison County Emergency Medical District, increasing the ready manpower at emergency scenes in his jurisdiction. Additionally, he has increased certifications for West Liberty and DeGraff fire departments in Logan County.
Bennington has been a leader in a movement to upgrade training at rural departments in his area and to provide the ability for rural fire departments to give identical or better quality fire service response as large metropolitan agencies. When Bennington began as chief, Madison County had no community college programs. As a faculty member of Clark State, Bennington developed an outreach program in conjunction with now retired Springfield Fire Rescue Division Battalion Chief Steve Goheen, who was the fire service program director for the college. Currently, all fire service programs in Madison County are managed through Bennington’s work involving Clark State.
Bennington’s passion for passing on his knowledge and providing outstanding training to fellow firefighters has contributed to safer communities. During his career, Bennington has taught close to 1,500 firefighters, many of whom have gone on to full-time careers working in fire departments across various states. His colleagues state he is the epitome of motivation and dedication to the fire service.
